CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Students from the naval junior reserve officer training corps at Northeast Gilford High School anxiously waited outside the Basic Skills Training School here, April 18.
They traveled more than 150 miles from Greensboro, N.C, to visit Camp Lejeune to learn more about the Marine Corps and the way it operates.
One part of their tour was visiting the indoor simulated marksmanship trainer, or ISMT, here.
After a safety brief, the students went in groups of four to begin their training program.
“It’s wonderful for the kids,” said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Carol McCarther, the senior naval science instructor for the school. “Some of them have never even held a weapon and it also gives them an opportunity to compete with one another.”
Marine instructors worked closely with the shooters showing the firing positions and how to load the weapon.
“They get to have fun here but also learn how to handle a weapon safely,” said Sgt. Samuel Ridenhour, a motorman and instructor for the ISMT. “Some of these kids even shoot better than new Marines.”
Students shot in the sitting, kneeling and standing position. Marines helped with weapons handling and sighting into the target.
The ISMT shows where the shot hit and even how the weapon was handled seconds before the trigger is pulled.
“The power of the rifle is great but it can get a little heavy,” said Janae McInnis, a ninth grader and member of the NJROTC.
After the ISMT, the students visited the bowling center and did a motivational run around the base before returning home and preparing a presentation about what they learned.