Shaffer
03-03-03, 10:15 AM
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(February 28, 2003) -- Every day, Marines from all walks of the Corps unite for one cause: serving and protecting the Depot.
These Marines are cooks, administrative clerks, infantrymen, journalists, and almost any other job in the Corps. They are the Marines of the Depot's Ground Security Force.
Recently, the members of the GSF headed north to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif., for a week of security training.
Because the group was so large, the training was split into two groups. The first group trained from Feb. 10-14 and the second group from Feb. 17-21.
"GSF augments the security of the Depot," said Gunnery Sgt. Charles S. Sanderson, Headquarters and Service Battalion, S-3 chief. "The training they receive gives the Marines the proper tools to take on their mission of protecting the Depot."
The first group trained from Feb. 10-14 and the second group from Feb. 17-21.
Day one of training began with classes about the operations and safety proceedures of the M-9 service pistol.
The Marines used the first two mornings to gain skill and experience before shooting the qualification course on the third morning.
The course uses a 25-yard slow fire, a 7-yard rapid fire, and a 15-yard reloading drill. The fourth day was reserved for classes, and the fifth day, the qualification course was fired again, to give Marines who shot poorly a chance to qualify with a higher score, according to Sanderson.
After qualification, the Marines did drills drawing the pistol from the holster and remedial action drills.
The pistol wasn't the only weapon fired. The afternoon of the second day was reserved for the Marines to get an accurate battle sight zero on the M-16A2 service rifle, which involves firing at three targets and adjusting the sights until an accurate point of aim is produced, according to Sanderson.
The Marines did the same drill on the fifth day, but wore Kevlar helmets and flak jackets.
They also performed a series of drills drawing their weapons from sling arms and quickly engaging targets.
"I really enjoyed getting to fire new weapons," said Lance Cpl. Michael F. Feely, a former cook who is now on GSF.
Shotgun familiarization training was also part of the week's curriculum.
The Marines fired 10 buckshot rounds from ambidextrous standing and kneeling positions. They also fired while running to take cover.
"The Marines are trained on the pistols and shotguns because they are more practical close-range weapons," said Sanderson. "It also gives GSF more options when arming and posting personnel."
In addition to weapons training, the Marines of GSF were given a series of classes on subjects that vary from interior guard and vehicle searches, to terrorism awareness and specific breakdowns of global terrorist organizations.
Other classes covered in-depth vehicle searches and specific Force Protection Conditions.
They also participated in the confidence chamber. There, the Marines are bombarded with 0-chlorobenzalmalononitrate gas (tear gas) and are required to remove their gas masks for a period of time.
"When things go wrong there is fog of war and confusion," said Col. John T. Boggs, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion. "If something were to happen here, there would be a lot of confusion. Being well-trained is a way to cut through the fog and confusion."
The training wrapped up with weapons cleaning, field day of the squad bay, and a long-awaited trip back to the Depot.
Newly trained, the GSF Marines stand post, day and night, ready to take on whatever challenges the Depot may encounter.
According to Sanderson, their new ability to use pistols and shotguns, along with their knowledge of terrorism, searching, and standing guard, make them a formidable show of force that proves the Depot strong and ready for anything.
These Marines are cooks, administrative clerks, infantrymen, journalists, and almost any other job in the Corps. They are the Marines of the Depot's Ground Security Force.
Recently, the members of the GSF headed north to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif., for a week of security training.
Because the group was so large, the training was split into two groups. The first group trained from Feb. 10-14 and the second group from Feb. 17-21.
"GSF augments the security of the Depot," said Gunnery Sgt. Charles S. Sanderson, Headquarters and Service Battalion, S-3 chief. "The training they receive gives the Marines the proper tools to take on their mission of protecting the Depot."
The first group trained from Feb. 10-14 and the second group from Feb. 17-21.
Day one of training began with classes about the operations and safety proceedures of the M-9 service pistol.
The Marines used the first two mornings to gain skill and experience before shooting the qualification course on the third morning.
The course uses a 25-yard slow fire, a 7-yard rapid fire, and a 15-yard reloading drill. The fourth day was reserved for classes, and the fifth day, the qualification course was fired again, to give Marines who shot poorly a chance to qualify with a higher score, according to Sanderson.
After qualification, the Marines did drills drawing the pistol from the holster and remedial action drills.
The pistol wasn't the only weapon fired. The afternoon of the second day was reserved for the Marines to get an accurate battle sight zero on the M-16A2 service rifle, which involves firing at three targets and adjusting the sights until an accurate point of aim is produced, according to Sanderson.
The Marines did the same drill on the fifth day, but wore Kevlar helmets and flak jackets.
They also performed a series of drills drawing their weapons from sling arms and quickly engaging targets.
"I really enjoyed getting to fire new weapons," said Lance Cpl. Michael F. Feely, a former cook who is now on GSF.
Shotgun familiarization training was also part of the week's curriculum.
The Marines fired 10 buckshot rounds from ambidextrous standing and kneeling positions. They also fired while running to take cover.
"The Marines are trained on the pistols and shotguns because they are more practical close-range weapons," said Sanderson. "It also gives GSF more options when arming and posting personnel."
In addition to weapons training, the Marines of GSF were given a series of classes on subjects that vary from interior guard and vehicle searches, to terrorism awareness and specific breakdowns of global terrorist organizations.
Other classes covered in-depth vehicle searches and specific Force Protection Conditions.
They also participated in the confidence chamber. There, the Marines are bombarded with 0-chlorobenzalmalononitrate gas (tear gas) and are required to remove their gas masks for a period of time.
"When things go wrong there is fog of war and confusion," said Col. John T. Boggs, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion. "If something were to happen here, there would be a lot of confusion. Being well-trained is a way to cut through the fog and confusion."
The training wrapped up with weapons cleaning, field day of the squad bay, and a long-awaited trip back to the Depot.
Newly trained, the GSF Marines stand post, day and night, ready to take on whatever challenges the Depot may encounter.
According to Sanderson, their new ability to use pistols and shotguns, along with their knowledge of terrorism, searching, and standing guard, make them a formidable show of force that proves the Depot strong and ready for anything.