Combat arms training and maintenance

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephenie Wade
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
"Safe, lock the bolt to the rear, check chamber, safe," these are some of the most important instructions taught during the Combat Arms Training Maintenance course range here.

The CATM class provides all military members here small arms ground weapons training including proper employment of weapons, from a 50 cal. to a 9 millimeter.
"Every Air Force base has a CATM," said Staff Sgt. David Walker, 6th Security Forces Combat Arms instructor. "MacDill is unique because we provide small arms training to every branch of service in the Department of Defense." 

Personnel deploying have priority and have to attend training 90 days before leaving. Individuals are not allowed to use the range for personnel use. The unit deployment manager is in charge of scheduling everyone for official training. However, personnel are in charge of bringing the required equipment to train such as a gas mask, Air Force Form 522, flak vest and helmet. 

The training starts out with three hours of classroom instruction taught by two instructors then the remaining time is spent on the live fire range. Each class has up to 28 people in attendance 

During the firing portion of the training, groups of seven people are provided an instructor for supervision and instruction. There is tower operator who calls out the commands on the line and instructors who signal with their hand when the line is ready to fire. Each student is given a certain amount of practice shots to get the rifle to the zero the rifle or set the settings. 

For example, when qualifying for the M16 rifle, trainee's fire 50 practice shots then another 50 qualifying shots. At the end, the instructors count the shots on the target. Students need a minimum of 19 shots to qualify out of the 50. Individuals who score 43 or more to receive the expert rating and marksmanship ribbon. 

The instructors are members of the 6th SFS. 

"First you are selected to become an instructor" said Staff Sgt. Walker . "Being a CATM instructor is similar to being a dog handler in security forces. We have to receive additional training. The guard and reserve have their own security forces personnel who are able to train also." 

The selected instructors have to attend the initial security forces training and in addition, a nine week course to become the instructor.

In today's war on terrorism there are no front lines. The enemy can be anywhere, at any time. It's not just the Army and the Marines that are engaging with the enemy. Air Force personnel are subject to be in a small arms fire fight and should be prepared the training provided