Guardsmen from Company F, Recruitment Sustainment Program receive refresher on weapons training

Missouri National Guard Pfc. Kayle Ballew follows instruction on the disassembly of an M-16 rifle during weapons systems training at Company F of the Recruitment Sustainment Program's most recent drill. (Photo by Matthew J. Wilson)

By Matthew J. Wilson
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Nine Missouri National Guardsmen from Company F of the Recruitment Sustainment Program recently received training on the safety, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of three different weapons systems at the Blue Armory.

Through the Recruitment Sustainment Program, enlistees learn basic Army skills and values and become more familiar with their role as a Soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard until they complete their advanced individual training.

The instruction was designed to give the Jefferson City Company's "green phase" Soldiers - those who have already completed basic training - a refresher in working with the weapons systems.

"It's an orientation course for the Guardsmen who haven't used the weapons systems in a while," said Staff Sgt. Justin Luetjen, a Jefferson City recruiter.

Soldiers got hands on with the M-16 rifle, M-203 grenade launcher and M-249 squad automatic weapon.

Tactics like flanking and creating a good battle position were also taught.

The most important thing the Guardsmen should take away from the training is weapons safety, according to Luetjen.

Luetjen added that the Guardsmen should also become more at ease with the weapons systems.

"Repetition with anything will get people more comfortable in doing that they are supposed to do, even in a hostile environment," Luetjen said. "What we are trying to do is get them to know the repetitions and know the common practices of handling their weapons the right way."

During the training, the Guardsmen held a competition on who could tear down and reconstruct their M-16 the fastest.

Pfc. Greg Ryan, who lives in Houston, was the overall winner, followed closely by Pfc. Robert Acree, who lives in Jefferson City.

"I was off by one second - I was right on his tail," said Acree, a unit supply specialist who holds the distinction of being one of the last Soldiers to complete basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. "The competition was a good way to boost my mental toughness. It's good to know I know my stuff well enough to be one of the best."

Acree said he was glad to receive another look at the weapons systems.

"When I went through basic training and it came to the M-249, we were just taught how to shoot it," Acree said. "We weren't informed on how to take it apart and put it back together."

The instruction should prove to be valuable information for someone who will be responsible for those weapons in supply.

His favorite weapon system is the M-16, which hit 39 of 40 targets with when he qualified during basic training.

"When I went to basic training, we were taught to shoot accurately and I was an expert marksman," said Acree.

In his first drill with Company F, Pfc. Kayle Ballew also favors the M-16.

"I come from a rural area and I do a lot of deer hunting, so a single shot, semi-automatic weapon is my top choice," said Bellew, who lives in Freeburg. "If a bullet is placed right and you know how to aim that weapon, it can be very effective - a lot more effective than a machine gun can.

"You can hold your targets in your sights longer and you don't have to worry about it jolting your body around."

Overall, Ballew, who went to basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., said he learned a lot.

"This could save someone's life," Bellew said. "You have to make sure you inspect all the pieces of your weapon so you know how they need to work. So in return, whenever you are cleaning the weapon, you know what spots need to be cleaned so it will work properly.

"You can make it look nice on the outside, but if it's not clean on the inside, it's not really going to shoot accurately."

For Ballew, being able to shoot well is very important.

"Having an effective weapon to eliminate any targets you are firing at is the most important thing," he said. "We have to utilize the training that they are giving you, because you are not going to get it anywhere else."

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