TOW Co. receives unique marksmanship training

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News - 2008.03

TOW Co. receives unique marksmanship training Story by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes, Marine Forces Reserve	Marines from Anti-Armor Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile (TOW) Company, 4th Marine Division, conduct warm up drills, before conducting improvised explosive devise/dismount drills. The Marines participated in classes such as pistol introduction and reaction to an ambush, both which included live fire. (Official USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes) A Marine from Anti-Armor Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missle (TOW) Company, 4th Marine Division, gets ready to shoot during a live fire reaction against ambush drill. TOW Co. Marines had an opportunity to have drill at the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) facility. The Marines participated in classes such as pistol introduction, which included live fire, and proper clearing of a house. (Official USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes) A Marine gets ready to shoot during a live fire reaction against ambush drill. TOW Co. (Official USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes) A Marine practices arm bar drills during the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) station held during drill. TOW Co. Marines had an opportunity to have drill at the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) facility. The Marines participated in classes such as pistol introduction and reaction to an ambush, both which included live fire. (Official USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes)
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - (Mar. 2, 2008) -- Reserve Marines get together to brush up on their skills during drill weekend every month. Recently, one unit took the opportunity to practice marksmanship training on an unfamiliar, yet welcome course. Anti-Armor Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire guided missile (TOW) Company, 4th Marine Division, traveled to the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) in nearby Tulsa for a day of trigger time. The Marines participated in pistol training and reacting to an ambush, both of which included live fire. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and clearing a house were also covered. The Marines traversed five different stations, each lasting 90 minutes. USSA offered the Marines many different options for training. The one-year-old facility boasts 93 acres with 35 ranges, and many of the instructors at USSA are former and current military and law enforcement. “Training these Marines has been the highlight of my time here,” said Brad DeLauter, director of operations at USSA and a retired Marine master sergeant. “It’s not just because these are Marines, but these are some of the finest that Oklahoma has to offer, and we get a chance to teach them what we do best.” Instructors from USSA teamed up with Inspector-Instructor staff from TOW Co. to cover all aspects of the training. “Seeing these Marines take what they’ve learned and put it into use is great,” said TOW Co. armorer Sgt. Brandon M. Austin, an instructor on the ambush reaction range. “Another thing is that this range is something we are not familiar with, these guns are not ours. Seeing the Marines adapt and use them correctly is great. This facility also provides different training areas in a small space. That way it’s easier for the command to move around and keep a good track of what the Marines are learning.” Even though the training was not at a military facility, the unit benefited from it in many different ways. “Bringing the unit by Humvee to the nearest military training facility is expensive,” said Maj. Michael A. Purcell, inspector-instructor for TOW Co. “At USSA there are much better training options. The academy offers many different types of ranges. Also, their instructors have excellent expertise in marksmanship; this is what they teach all day. They provide more instructors to help the Marines, which is something we would not have on a regular range.” The Marines liked the change of scenery for their weekend drill. “I really enjoyed this,” said Cpl. James Burnett, a Tulsa native and field radio operator for TOW Co. “Usually, we don’t get to shoot M240’s.” Teaming with USSA introduced the Marines to another side of marksmanship outside of the military community by having civilians instruct the Marines and bringing them to a non-military facility. “It broadens their horizons,” said Purcell. “They become more embedded into the community. Hopefully we can make this an annual training event.” The instructors at USSA seem more than happy to make that happen. “I think the Marines came out of this today with more attitude,” said DeLauter. “The fact they know they have to win the fight, that’s the only option that’s acceptable. We’d love to see them here again and help take their training to another level.” A Marine from Anti-Armor Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile (TOW) Company, 4th Marine Division, fires at targets at the introduction to pistol shooting station held during drill. TOW Co. Marines had an opportunity to have drill at the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) facility. The Marines participated in classes such as pistol introduction and reaction to an ambush, both which included live fire. (Official USMC photo by Lance Cpl. Mary A. Staes)