Weapons immersion increases rifle comfort level

By Spc. Julia Simpkins/Fort Jackson Leader

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (TRADOC News Service, July 13, 2005) – America’s newest Soldiers are getting weapons familiarization much sooner than their predecessors of just a year ago.

Since January, Soldiers-in-training have been introduced to their weapon, the M-16A2, on Day 3 or Day 4 of basic combat training. Previous training guidance had Soldiers introduced to their weapon during the second or third week of training.

The early introduction, called weapons immersion, is designed to give new Soldiers a heightened comfort level with their weapons in preparation for a lifestyle that requires near-constant carrying of the rifle.

“It’s based on the Global War on Terror – to train Soldiers when they leave here to fight and contribute when they go into the field,” said Lt. Col. Michael Ryan, commander, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment. “It gives Soldiers a feel for the weapon for when they deploy. They have it on 24/7 accountability. They take it to the chow hall when they eat, they take it to physical training, they even sleep with it.”

That accountability enables Soldiers to feel comfortable with the weapon earlier, increasing personal and unit safety, said Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Seibold, a drill sergeant with Company A, 1st Bn., 34th Inf. Regt. “With the better understanding they gain, they become more of an expert with it. They’re learning a lot more about the proper way to handle the weapon and the safe way to do things compared to when I came through basic training.”

Ryan emphasized the benefit of weapons immersion was the invaluable increase in Soldiers’ training time.

“The greatest thing on several different fronts is that it saves the drill sergeants and Soldiers time in weapons turn-in and issue. It facilitates current training time and opportunities for basic rifle marksmanship. Now, if the platoon has 30 minutes, they can do battle drills,” Ryan said.

Siebold agreed, focusing on Soldiers’ conduct on the ranges.

“Now we never have problems with them as far as range conduct is concerned,” he said. “For instance, we never have to yell at them about keeping the weapons pointed up and down range – they do that automatically, without even thinking about it.”