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Rochester, N.Y., native tests grenade launcher

Navy NewsStand

Story Identification #: 20041112135552
Story by Lance Cpl. Lucian Friel

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2004) -- The short, compact Marine fires a weapon he never employed before toward a bunker in the distance. The explosions sound like the steady beating of a bass drum before a song picks up.

As dirt flies into the air, the Rochester, N.Y., native grins knowing his grenades were on target.

Corporal Fidel A. Rodriguez, fired the 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, a weapon the Marine Corps is currently testing for possible future employment.

The rifleman with 8th Marine Regiment, instructing various officers and troops of 2d Marine Division on the MGL, believes it’s an effective weapon system.

“From a squad perspective, you can send rounds down range faster, and it gives us more firepower that we need more often than not,” explained the 2001 Brockport High School graduate, comparing the MGL with the M203, another shoulder-fired grenade launcher the Marine Corps currently uses, which is a single shot, breach-load weapon.

According to Rodriguez, the MGL is not a heavy weapon like the MK-19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, which is a weapon system that is just as effective as the MGL, but it requires three Marines to operate it.

The MGL is a combination of the M203 and the MK-19. One Marine can handle it without a problem and fires multiple rounds without reloading. It is simple to load, unload, maintain and use, which makes it easier to instruct Marines on the weapon and how to fire it.

“Since the MGL is so easy to use, the class I teach is about two minutes long and then the Marines get some hands on training,” he said glancing back at the weapon, smiling.

Rodriguez’s first use of the weapon was during the two-day training period, and he already enhanced his skills and knowledge of the weapon.

“It feels good to hit the target, like with any weapon. All you have to do is get into a comfort zone and find your ‘sweet spot’,” explained the experienced squadleader as explosions in the background drowned out his deep, crisp voice.

Rodriguez also helped instruct Marine officers from the 2d Marine Division on effectively employing the MGL in combat.

The brown-eyed, stocky corporal will be guarding the Headquarters of 8th Marine Regiment when they deploy to Iraq early next year, which won’t be Rodriguez’s first time in the Middle Eastern country.

Rodriguez deployed to Iraq with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and realizes now, after using this new grenade launcher, how helpful the MGL would be if they had it during this first deployment.

“It can take out cars and weaken enemy armored vehicles faster than the 203. It shoots six rounds instead of one, so you can suppress fire for a longer period of time. It would be very effective during ambushes and infiltration.

“It can destroy improvised explosive devices, which are commonly used by Iraqi insurgents, easily and safely,” explained Rodriguez, who plans to re-enlist after his first term.

As 2d Marine Division prepares to deploy to Iraq early next year, Rodriguez is hopeful that the MGL will be adopted by the Marine Corps as one of its primary weapons.

“With a rapid rate of fire of six grenades in two seconds, this weapon has the potential to accomplish the mission twice as fast. I hope the Marine Corps decides to use this weapon, because it does its job quickly and efficiently,” he explained, turning to the wooden barricade to stepup to the firing line.