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Mobile Security Squadron 6 Arms up for Safety Stand Down

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050716-04
Release Date: 7/16/2005 6:52:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Elizabeth Enockson, Naval Media Center Norfolk Detachment

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Members of Mobile Security Squadron 6 attended a weapons training safety stand-down July 13 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to ensure that each Sailor is competent with every weapon they handle.

The Navy’s Mobile Security force has a heavy reliance on small arms. Ensuring Sailors are competently trained to handle those weapons is of vital importance to the commander.

“The most important safety feature on any weapon is a well-trained, properly qualified Sailor operating that weapon,” said Cmdr. James Hamblet, commanding officer of Mobile Security Squadron 6. “It’s a readiness issue. Someone operating a firearm cannot be trusted as reliable or effective if they don’t know how to safely operate the weapon.”

The training started with a demonstration in the classroom on proper ways to load and unload each weapon. Participants then had a chance to show trainers what they learned by loading and unloading the weapons themselves.

“They’re not going to learn anything today that they don’t already know,” said Hamblet. “We routinely conduct safe weapons training. This training is going to reinforce the safety procedures and precautions that they have already learned.”

The participants moved from one station to another, handling the weapons. If they failed one step while using a weapon, they were sent to the back of the line to begin over.

“Every time I come in, we have rigorous training on every weapon, and it makes me that much more confident when I have to use a weapon in the field,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (AW) Juan Cardona.

The squadron used dummy rounds for additional safety during the training.

“The classroom time prepared me for handling a weapon, in the sense that it’s a safe, controlled environment,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jesus Rodriguez. “It helps me build my confidence that when I work with live ammo, the knowledge I’ve gained from this training will prevent the possibility of any mishaps or neglectful discharges of the weapon."

Mobile Security Squadron 6 has two detachments deployed to Iraq. Both detachments also conducted a weapons safety stand down.