New students enrolled in
the MWTT course get familiar with an M-9 pistol Jan. 26 during
the first day of class held at Beightler Armory in Columbus.
Toledo resident Sgt.
Antwon Morris, from the 337th Personnel Detachment, examines an
M-9 pistol Jan. 26 during the first day of MWTT training at
Beightler Armory in Columbus. |
|
Story and photos by Sgt. 1st
Class Nancy McMillan
Joint Force Headquarters, Ohio Army National Guard
COLUMBUS, Ohio—To be a member of this team, it takes knowledge,
understanding, and a great respect for both weaponry and safety.
It takes preparation, education, and a two-year commitment to an
important task—becoming a member of the Master Weapons Training
Team.
“The primary mission of the team is to build a corps of
subject-matter experts who, at the end of their obligation, will
return to their unit and help build the marksmanship program
within,” said Master Sgt. Alan Whittaker, noncommissioned
officer in charge of the MWTT program.
The course is open to all Soldiers, preferably sergeants (E-5)
who plan to stay in the National Guard beyond the two-year
training, but all enlisted troops are welcomed.
“This is the second rotation of Soldiers to go through this
training,” said Whittaker, a Mansfield resident assigned to
Joint Force Headquarters, Ohio. “The course starts with six
months of classroom work—instructing Soldiers on the M-9, M-16,
and the M-249 rifle. Also during that time, the students will
attend the Range Leadership Safety Course at Camp Perry.”
The Soldiers are taught basic and combat marksmanship skills
including disassembly, inspection, cleaning, lubrication,
preventive maintenance and reassembly of the three firearms.
Proper handling, firing position, safety and function checks;
loading, unloading and clearance checks; malfunctions, stoppages
and corrective actions are also part of the curriculum.
“It is critical that Soldiers know how to handle a weapon,
especially one with live rounds,” said Crooksview native Staff
Sgt. Steven Yoder, one of the primary course instructors. “As
Guardmembers, we typically get ammo once a year. And too often,
Soldiers get complacent and that can lead to accidents.”
To further enhance the training, students attend the Total Army
Instructor Training Course and the Small Arms Machine Gun Course
for one and two-week periods, respectively, later in the
training.
The troops become proficient in spotting weak safety habits,
weapon malfunctions and firing flaws during preliminary
marksmanship instruction and range fire. Corrections are made
professionally so as not to undermine troops and cause a loss of
self-assurance in the weapon system.
“We want every Soldier to be safe and confident while handling
their weapon,” said Yoder, from the 147th Regional Training
Institute, “especially in a combat area.”
“Our main goal is to train future instructors,” said Delaware
native Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Loeffler, the program’s assistant
NCOIC from Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio. “We equip them with
the knowledge to assist and help other Soldiers stay safe and
qualify.” |
