Photo By Laurie Pearson | Captain Adam Rahman, S-6 Communications deputy director, and others take aim at a...... read more read more
Juan Rivera, S-6 Communications director and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hensley, operations chief, are training shooters through a Civilian Marksmanship Program, at the range aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
The MCLB Barstow Competitive Marksmanship Club started in February of this year and meets bi-weekly for a half-day of training, drills and shooting practice.
“The Civilian Marksmanship Program or CMP for short, is a national organization dedicated to training and educating U.S. citizens in responsible uses of firearms through gun safety training, marksmanship training and competitions,” said Rivera, an NRA Certified Range Safety Officer. “Our club falls under that program.”
“I’m the Chief Range Safety officer,” said Hensley.
Hensley ensures that people not only focus on honing their shooting skills but also maintain a solid focus on safety concerns such as muzzle awareness, and ensuring people wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
“One of the goals of the club is to increase and promote firearms safety, knowledge, and proficiency,” Hensley said. “Owning a guitar doesn't make you a musician. It's the same for safe use of firearms. You need to learn what to practice, this applies to recreational shooting, competitive shooting, or defensive shooting.”
Hensley along with the club president, Rivera, teach all levels of firearms use, to include proper grip, proper sight picture and alignment, stance, and trigger squeeze. Some of their main points of focus are pistol and short range rifle marksmanship, long range and precision marksmanship and competitive marksmanship.
“Anyone who has a Common Access Card from MCLB Barstow, both Nebo and Yermo Annex, may participate,” Hensley said. “They must be able to legally purchase a firearm in the state of California and provide verification of such. People can contact Mr. Rivera for specifics about what all that entails.”
Currently, there are 14 members attending the training sessions.
“We also have a club board that meets quarterly to discuss scheduling, training and future competitions and are constantly looking for ways to improve the club with our primary focus being safety,” Rivera said.
They are encouraging more people to participate, with the caveat that people contact them the Thursday before any training they plan to attend, because it’s what is called a “squatter range,” which means that only a limited number of shooters can be on the line and firing at a time. “I established the program, gained CMP affiliation, and serve as the Chief Range Safety Officer, as well as the team coach,” Hensley explained. He is a certified Instructor through the National Rifle Association, as well as a NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer.”
Rivera, a former military police officer with the Marine Corps, received specialized gun training to include working with the Special Response Team. He is also an NRA certified Range Safety Officer which allows him to share specialized training techniques.
As an infantry unit leader, Hensley has years of experience either conducting or training for combat operations, coaching and mentoring company level officers and enlisted personnel in marksmanship and tactics.
Some things Staff Sgt. Hensley says to keep in mind:
• All shooters must have long pants and close-toed shoes.
• Ear and eye protection is mandatory.
• A water source is mandatory.
• Sunblock is highly recommended.
• Head cover is highly recommended.
• Shooters MUST have STORE bought ammunition.
NO RELOADS.
• RSOs will confirm chamber and ammo type to ensure compatibility.
• Food, snacks, lawn/camp chairs are also recommended.
• Contact Staff Sgt. Hensley or Juan Rivera via email for additional minimum and recommended items.
| Date Taken: | 03.22.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2018 14:15 |
| Story ID: | 270303 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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