• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Naval Station Activity Weapons Department Supports NAVCENT

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081001-08
Release Date: 10/1/2008 6:52:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Prior to deploying to places such as Iraq, Afghanistan or the Iraqi oil platforms, Sailors must be qualified on the M9 service pistol.

The Naval Support Activity (NSA), Bahrain Weapons Department and its team of range safety officers have the job of qualifying Sailors at one of NSA Bahrain's three mobile pistol ranges.

"We don't teach combat tactics," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class William Garrison, NSA Bahrain Weapons Department leading petty officer and range safety officer.

"We teach marksmanship, aiming, the fundamentals, how to shoot a weapon and shoot it accurately."
The weapons department primarily qualifies Sailors who are assigned to the NSA Bahrain Security Force, while also supporting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and tenant commands. In the past year, an estimated 1,500 Sailors have qualified and put more than 40,000 rounds down range.

However, the M9 qualification doesn't begin at the range. Sailors must first log on to Navy Knowledge Online and complete the M9 service pistol training course, print off the certificate and bring it with them to the qualification.

"The NKO course gives you a basic understanding before you actually show up to the range," said Garrison, a native of Bentonville, Ark., who has served 19 years in the Navy.

"So all we have to do is a recap, followed by dry fire practical applications. Then we're ready to go hot in about 45 minutes."

Garrison, who's served as a range safety officer at NSA Bahrain since January 2007, prefers that Sailors attempt to forget previously learned skills or habits when requalifying or qualifying for the first time.

"For people who've never shot a weapon, they're usually like a sponge," said Garrison.

"They'll just soak up everything you tell them, and they usually turn out to be better shots than Sailors who think they already know how to shoot. It's rewarding when you have someone who's never fired a weapon and then they qualify as a sharp shooter expert after our course of instruction."

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.