Primary Marksmanship Instruction Lab:

All Fighting Saints Battalion cadets had the opportunity to get hands on with common military weapon systems last week at their weekly lab training. The MSI and the MSII cadets were working with the M9, M4, M249 SAW, M240B, and the .50cal. Some of the cadets had never seen any of the weapon systems in person so this gave them a great chance to get a closer look at them and to ask MSIV cadets any of the questions they might have. Most of the time for the MSI and MSII cadets was spent practicing how to properly disassemble and assemble each individual weapon, then completing a functions check after they reassembled them. The MSIII cadets also had time to review how to disassemble and assemble the different weapon systems with a functions check at the end. This was good practice for them because they will need to know how to work with these weapons at their training this upcoming summer. They were also given the opportunity to practice their marksmanship skills on the EST system, which is the virtual shooting range. All of the cadets benefited from the training because of the knowledge gained but also because it is fun to change focus from tactics to other tasks.

MSI cadet completing a functions check on the .50 cal. This was the first time having the .50 cal at a training event so it was fun for everyone to see it in person and work with it individually.

MSIV cadet [far right] showing two MSI cadets how to assemble the M249 SAW. Neither of the MSI cadets in this photo had ever held the M249 SAW, so this individualized time to work with the weapon hands on was really exciting for them.

MSIV cadet showing two MSI cadets how to do a functions check on the M240B. Only one of these cadets had seen this weapon system before so it was fun for the MSIV to help him review what he already knew and for both of them to help teach their fellow cadet.

This is an MSIII cadet practicing her marksmanship skills on the EST system at the local reserve center.