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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Security Platoon,
Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division took part in 1st Marine
Division Schools Non-Infantry Machine Gun Course aboard Marine Corps
Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 26, 2014. The Marines fired M2
Browning heavy machine guns, M240 B medium machine guns, and M249
squad automatic weapons.
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Marines with Security Platoon,
Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, shoot the M2 Browning
heavy machine gun during the 1st Marine Division Schools
Non-Infantry Machine Gun Course aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp
Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 26, 2014. The platoon is made up of Marines
from all different military occupational specialties within the
Division.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Baker)
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The security platoon is staffed with Marines from various
military occupational specialties within the division. Some
stem from combat related fields; however, not all. Because
of this, the Marines have to train together with the weapons
they could employ in future combat environments.
“We're out here to familiarize them with the weapons,” said
Sgt. Brice Michalek, from San Diego,
a machine gun instructor at Division Schools. “We want them
to understand the basics of employing these systems.”
The purpose of the security platoon is to clear an area
and then provide a defensive position for the headquarters
and support company when the Division deploys to hostile
territory. It's important that these Marines are proficient
at their jobs.
“We spent five days in the classroom
learning about the weapons,” said Pfc. Brian Alvarado, a
member of the Security Platoon who is from Los Angeles. “Now
were applying everything we've learned and firing the
weapons.”
Division Schools held classes teaching the
Marines everything they need to know about the weapons
systems. At the end of the classes, Marines were tested on
the knowledge they learned.
“The classes are
important, because it gives them the basic understanding of
the weapon,” said Michalek. “When they come onto the range,
they should know the immediate action drills along with how
to load and unload the weapon.”
The machine gun is a
valuable tool on the battlefield in both offensive and
defensive scenarios. Knowing how to apply this weapon system
is a valuable skill for these Marines.
“The machine
gun has a lot of fire power,” said Alvarado. “They can put
more rounds down range, shoot larger rounds, and give us a
better advantage than our basic rifles could.”
Division Schools helps keep 1st Marine Division mission
ready by holding training and classes every month for
Marines throughout the unit. Combat skill proficiency for
every individual Marine is a standard upheld by every unit,
allowing the Marine Corps to remain America's force in
readiness.
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Baker
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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