JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Marines yell, “frag out!” and take cover as 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion conducted weapons training with the M67 fragmentation grenade at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 31, 2017.
The intent of the grenade range was to provide Marines with the necessary knowledge and skills to employ the weapon system safely and proficiently. This sustainment training was conducted prior to starting their pre-deployment package for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The day began with the Marines testing their skills with M69 practice grenades to prove an understanding of safety procedures and proper techniques.
“Having a live grenade in your hand is a little stressful,” said Cpl. Shawn M. Leclair, a reconnaissance Marine with the unit. “You want to get the tactics down, so that way you’re not messing up with an actual grenade in your hand.”
Once they proved proficiency and confidence with the practice grenades, the Marines moved on to the real thing.
“This training definitely built up our guys’ confidence,” said Capt. Aaron D. Foote, a platoon commander with the unit. “You don’t want to have any doubt in your mind when you go down range and throw a grenade at the enemy. You need to have absolute confidence that you can employ that weapon correctly.”
Overall, the training helped prepare the Marines for the upcoming MEU by having hands-on training with weapons they do not handle every day. This helps get them in a combat mindset and build confidence in their fellow Marines.
“When something goes down in combat, you want this to be muscle memory,” Leclair said. “Doing training like this really embeds it in your head, so when the time does come you can be there for your team.”
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