PDA

View Full Version : Depot Armorers aim for perfection, tighten operations



thedrifter
02-04-04, 07:27 AM
Depot Armorers aim for perfection, tighten operations
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification Number: 200412391221
Story by Cpl. Jennifer Brofer



MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Jan. 23, 2004) -- "I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel."

This sentence, from Maj. Gen. William H. Rupertus' "My Rifle," has, at one time or another, been engrained into the mind of every Marine. For Depot armorers, who account for thousands of weapons at the Depot Armory every day, this sentence is not just a creed, but also a part of their everyday lives.

"We're maintaining weapons constantly," said Lance Cpl. Joseph Testerman, line armorer. "Every Marine is a rifleman, and someone has to maintain these weapons. If we don't have any weapons, we can't win a war."

The primary mission of the Marines who work at the armory is to store, maintain, issue and recover all weapons aboard the Depot.

"When we open and close, we have to count every weapon, including rifles, pistols and Marines' personal weapons," said Testerman, who added that accountability is extremely crucial to daily operations.

"It's very important ... if we're ever short a rifle at closing time, we have to call [the Provost Marshal's Office]. They shut down the base, and no one can get on or off until the rifle is found."

Aside from issuing and recovering rifles, armory technicians also play a big role in the recruit training process, maintaining weapons before and during rifle range qualifications.

"We take care of the weapons, prepare them and make sure they're good to go before they go out," said Testerman. "If anybody has a malfunction at any time, we're always there to repair it and make sure none of the parts break. Our priority is to make sure the recruits keep firing."

"We are here to make sure the drill instructors have the best quality service, so that way they can have the highest percentage of recruits qualifying at the rifle range," added Gunnery Sgt. Gregory Zenoni, armory chief.

According to Zenoni, armory technicians have become increasingly efficient when inspecting weapons. As a result, there are fewer weapons drops on the range.

"We do pre-firing inspections once a week, break down weapons, gauge and inspect them for recruits before they go out and fire," he said. "We used to drop 16 rifles in a two-week period. Now, we have only dropped seven rifles in the last [three months]."
Armory technicians, who arrive at the Armory at 5:30 a.m. every morning, work tirelessly to complete their mission, said Staff Sgt. Victor Flener, maintenance chief.

"I think a lot of people, when they look at the armory, just see people behind the window handing out weapons. What they don't see is how early these Marines get up to come in, and how late they stay to get the job done," said Flener.

Armorers continue to work long after Marines and recruits stop firing and have handed in their weapons for the day, added Flener.

"They put a lot of heart into their work," he said. "They won't start a job at [4 p.m.] and, if it's not done by [4:30], leave it for the next day. They'll stay until they finish the job."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D0BF27693CC8A97985256E24004E08FE?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger
:marine: