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Soldiers qualify at range on various weapons
Sunday, 24 August 2008
1st Lieutenant Shirley Orozco, from Miami, qualifies with her 9 mm pistol during a recent range at FOB Iskan. Soldiers there conduct monthly familiarization training and qualify semi-annually with their assigned firearm. (Courtesy photo)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ISKAN, Iraq – Gen. George S. Patton said, "Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets," and the same is as true today as it was in World War II. With the enemy on today's battlefield being determined and sagacious, it takes outstanding leadership on part of the Army's noncommissioned officers to train Soldiers on how to be effective and deadly with every round fired from their weapons.
This is the reason Soldiers stationed on Forward Operating Base Iskan conduct monthly familiarization training and qualify semi-annually with their assigned firearm.
In Company F, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Mullins, a native of Tucson, Ariz., ensures the Soldiers in his company receive classes and instruction on all weapons assigned to the company.
"Being capable of shooting your weapon is a must in our line of work, but there is no reason why it shouldn't be worthwhile to learn how to shoot multiple kinds of firearms as well," he said.
This is the sole reason Mullins said he coordinated the entire range. He wanted to make sure Soldiers were taking advantage of the knowledge and skills he taught as a master instructor during his time at the NCO Academy. These classes, given prior to attending a range, are a vital piece of good weapon handling and safety, which directly impacts the mission here in Iraq, said Mullins.
Setting up a range in Iraq requires leaders to go through a variety of protocol and regulations, he said. It begins with requesting the range, assigning safety personnel and giving classes - all before the first shot can be fired. As the noncommissioned officer-in-charge, a leader must have a constant communication channel with the company and battalion to ensure the FOB is aware the rounds being fired are friendly.
Second, the range safety personnel must ensure the safety of the Soldiers qualifying and help reinforce any training tips for more accurate shooting. The NCOIC of the range is responsible for overseeing all operations, including calibrating weapons, counting targets and issuing ammunition.
Although running a range may be difficult, it is also rewarding, said Mullins.
"The range was great for the morale of the Soldiers," said Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Bush, from Syracuse, N.Y. "A lot of these Soldiers have never had the opportunity to familiarize with these weapons let alone fire and qualify. It felt great."
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