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thedrifter
07-22-09, 06:28 AM
Know thy enemy

7/21/2009 By Pfc. Jahn R. Kuiper , Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —Twenty servicemembers fired Soviet AK-47 assault rifles and RKM medium machine guns during the Foreign Weapons Instructor Course at Weapons Training Battalion July 13 to 24.

The class was designed to provide Marines, and those who work with them, instruction on foreign weapons and give them the ability for students to teach their Marines how to use those weapons systems.

"We’re exposed to a lot of different weapons, so [now] when we are overseas we can identify them and use them properly," said Sgt. Jack L. Puffenbarger, the distant professional military education non-commissioned officer for Headquarters and Service Battalion. "We get the gist of how to fire the weapon and what to do when it jams. Also, we take ballistics classes where we learn what the ammo is capable of."

Early in the global war on terrorism, deployed Marines realized they needed more Marines qualified to train Iraq and Afghani Security Forces to use their weapons, said Sgt. Joshua Honsberger, a course instructor.

The 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions sent civilians to teach servicemembers foreign weapons on a user level, according to the courses’ justification letter that was approved by the Commandant. These classes cost each unit more than $3,000 per Marine for the training compared to now where it costs only the fair of travel.

Also, the classes taught were not on the same page, so the Marines implemented a standard that everyone could be held accountable to. Furthermore, the Marines cracked down on what weapons were being taught. The made sure only weapons that Marines encounter today are being taught.

The Marines training will give the commander the capability of having a foreign small arms instructor on hand throughout a deployment. Graduates of the course will be able to teach their Marines how to implement some of the most commonly found foreign weapons. Furthermore, it will assist the unit commander’s ability to give him the ability to provide weapons instruction to foreign militaries should the need arise.

"Intelligence wise, this training gives really good experience for those who are [trained with the M-16]," said Cpl. Steven R. Hutchinson, a student and armorer from Camp Lejeune. "Being more diverse in weapons systems is a big advantage when you’re out there. This is good training."

Courses of fire include distances at the 100, 200, and 300; unknown distance; and close range engagement from five to 25 yards.

"There are so many different variations of the AK," said Hutchinson. "Now I can just look at the weapon and see where it’s from. Then I know how to fire it."

Marines fired Soviet AK series weapons, the German Hecklar and Koch G3 battle rifle, the Belgian FN FAL battle rifle, the Soviet SVD sniper rifle, the Soviet RPD light machine gun, the Soviet PKM medium machine gun and variants of some of the weapons.

The Small Arms Weapons Instructor School at Weapons Training Battalion holds the course eight times a year.

Correspondent: jahn.kuiper@usmc.mil

Ellie