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thedrifter
11-28-08, 05:39 AM
Marines take training to the range

11/27/2008 By Lance Cpl. Meloney R. Moses , Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Marine security guards are responsible for the security of American Embassies all over the world and go through rigorous training to ensure they are up to the task.

Five weeks into training, the students spend eight training days firing the Remington M870 Shotgun, M-4 Carbine and M9 9 mm Beretta Pistol.

According to Capt. Matthew W. Howard, operations officer, the shotgun, has changed very little over time, propelling multiple shells at once for increased accuracy probability.

Tracing its lineage back to the M-16 service rifle, the M-4 carbine fires a 5.56 mm round and is shoulder fired, gas-operated, air-cooled and magazine-fed. With a collapsible butt stock, the M-4 is much easier to carry due to its light weight and short length, Howard said.

The M9 pistol is the standard weapon for most police officers and was adopted by the military in the 1980s, he added.

‘‘The M9 pistol is much easier to handle and maneuver,” said Lance Cpl. Richard M. Kennedy, a MSG student. ‘‘It’s more practical than a rifle or shotgun.”

The MSG Marines qualified with both the M-4 and M9 from the 100-, 50-, 25-, 15- and even seven-yard lines.

Kennedy said that on the first day at the range, the cold, rainy weather made it much more difficult to shoot accurately.

‘‘We just tried to focus on the mission at hand,” he said.

Along with weapons training and qualifications, the Marines are educated in the escalation of force and threat assessment required so they will know the appropriate times to draw a weapon on an aggressor.

For more information about MSG school, contact Gunnery Sgt. Drew Pate at drew.pate@usmc.mil or call 703-784-4861.

Note: This is the third of a six part series

Ellie