JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLH,Texas –
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.