Photo By 1st Sgt. Luisito Brooks | Spc. Edgar Moyer, clears his M-9 pistol at the weapons clearing barrel at Joint...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD — Soldiers of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division take weapon clearing procedures very seriously, as if their battle buddy's life depended on it: Because it does.
"The very moment you take the weapon clearing procedures lightly is the moment where a Soldier could get seriously injured or maybe killed," said Staff Sgt. John Moore, from Dresden, Germany.
Clearing a weapon isn't a one-time thing or done just when you feel like it.
"When we go out on missions, we lock and load all of our weapons to protect ourselves from the enemy," said 1st Lt. Brandon Pasko, a Cincinnati native. "So when we return it's our responsibility, as leaders, to protect ourselves, from ourselves, by conducting and checking for the proper weapon clearing procedures."
They explained that there are several reasons why weapon clearing procedures are so important, and why it is necessary to be aware of what to do when you are standing in front of the clearing barrel.
"By ensuring that my Soldiers know the steps [to clearing a weapon] and can perform it every time, I can ensure my Soldiers aren't carrying a loaded weapon back to their room," said Moore. "I am also implementing discipline into each Soldier."
Soldiers in the unit said they understand the purpose for the constant performing of the weapon clearing procedures.
"When I become that leader of a couple Soldiers, it will be my responsibility to teach them the procedures and the reason why we do it," said Spc. Joshua Winslow, a Raleigh, N.C., native. "After I teach my Soldiers and [when] they get Soldiers, they will teach them."
It may seem like a simple thing to remember, but the Soldiers said that they are aware of the importance of the procedure and know that complacency kills.
"It's the small details and routine things that can be the most important," said Pasko. "We are constantly in a fight against fratricide, and this is just one of our tools."
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2009 00:58 |
| Story ID: | 42049 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 752 |
| Downloads: | 385 |
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