WASHINGTON -- In the heart of the nation’s capital, there are Marines that have a special assignment unlike any other. These Marines are specifically trained and equipped to analyze and address any potential threats that intend to cause harm to the Marine Barracks or its’ visitors; they are the infantry Marines of Guard Company.
Due to the unique location and duties of the barracks, these Marines tirelessly train with and master their weapon systems.
On June 10, 2015, 1st platoon, Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, traveled to Range 5 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, to increase overall marksmanship with the M9 service pistol, the M4 service rifle and M1014 shotgun.
“We are giving these Marines many tools in the toolbox to handle various threats they might face,” said Capt. Greg Jurschak, 1st platoon commander, Guard Co. “It’s not as simple as being on the battlefield where the enemy is clearly defined.”
The company is continuously training at the barracks, clearing the building, dry firing in the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer or studying their standard operating procedures. At the range, they are able to fire rounds on targets in a crawl, walk, run training progression.
At the range, the Marines first conducted three evolutions of slow fire with 15 rounds in 10 minutes with their M9s. After the evolutions, the Marines practiced controlled pairs and hammer pairs, firing two shots in succession at the target. After demonstrating proficiency during the static training the Marines moved on to more complex and dynamic drills.
To advance the training, the Marines donned their full combat load and continued training with the M9 while incorporating the M4 into the dynamic drills.
The Marines performed transition drills from the M4 to the M9, pivot drills and reloading drills in order effectively put rounds on target, according to Cpl. Jacob Linton, a section leader with the platoon.
After the drills were complete, the Marines split into two groups. The first group moved to a separate shotgun range, the other stayed and continued M9 and M4 marksmanship.
The Marines conducting shotgun training maneuvering through a range with various obstacles and targets, focusing on movement and reload drills. This training was done in three stages; the first being a walkthrough in order to familiarize themselves with the course of fire, they then jogged and finally ran through the course simulating a more realistic scenario.
The Marines finished the training being more equipped with the necessary skills to ensure mission readiness. Many of these Marines will spend a year protecting the Corps’ oldest post before transitioning to follow on security forces billets.
“By the time these Marines leave Guard Company, we are hoping that they have mastered the fundamentals of marksmanship,” said Jurschak. “We also want to hone their decision making and judgment skills. It’s not only having good fundamentals it’s knowing the right place, the right time and the right reason to actually employ their weapons.”