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JBSA News
NEWS | July 24, 2015

37th TRSS combat arms instructors build students’ knowledge, confidence

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

When students complete the weapons qualification course at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex, the 37th Training Support Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance instructors aim for them to leave with increased firearm confidence and knowledge of proper safety procedures.

These CATM instructors teach a variety of student audiences, including both JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston security forces members, all JBSA military individuals who are deploying or renewing training during a permanent change of station and all Air Force Basic Military Training trainees. Both Tactical Air Control Party and Combat Control technical school students also fulfill weapons training requirements with the 37th TRSS.

“Our main missions are BMT trainees and members from the base populace,” Senior Airman Cory Irvin, 37th TRSS combat arms instructor, said. “On average, we have three to five classes of up to 70 BMT trainees in one day, three times per week and two to three classes of up to 28 JBSA military members a week who are renewing training for deployment or PCS needs. The weapons used for the main missions are the M-4 Carbine, the M-16A2 5.56 rifle, and the Beretta M-9 pistol.”

Students within the Air Force qualification course are led through five different stages of firearm use.

“Within a classroom setting, we familiarize students with the basic principles of weapons safety, assembly and disassembly, and marksmanship,” Master Sgt. James Pamplin, 37th TRSS combat arms instructor, said. “Once they are comfortable with the function of the weapon, we bring them out to the range to fire and record their accuracy using live rounds. Afterwards, we lead them through how to properly clean and maintain the weapon.”

Due to the centralized training at the Medina Annex, Pamplin said combat arms instructors have the opportunity to meet members from multiple missions around JBSA with varying weapon-use experience levels.

“I enjoy meeting and interacting with a lot of people from across the JBSA installations,” he said.

Irvin said another enjoyable aspect of training so many different individuals is seeing the difference before and after training for those unfamiliar with firearms.

“I enjoy teaching people who may not be very familiar with weapons and watching young Airmen just entering the Air Force who have never touched a gun before, shoot an expert score because of the knowledge I was able to hand down to them through our course,” he said.

Ultimately, weapons training is focused on helping military members use their weapon competently in a situation where it’s needed in order to return home safely.

“Each day as an instructor I aim to get my students qualified and to impart the knowledge necessary for that individual to effectively use that weapon against threats if needed when they eventually deploy,” he said.

During 2014, 37th TRSS instructors trained over 2,800 members from the base populace and 28,500 Air Force BMT trainees.