Photo By Seaman Ryan Holloway | PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 5, 2023) U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Logan Kasprzak, from...... read more read more
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PACIFIC OCEAN – The “boom” of live-fire exercises echoed throughout the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 5, 2023. These sounds not only sent a message to the crew to stay clear, but it also sent the message that the ship’s security department was diligently training Sailors to protect themselves and the crew.
During the live-fire exercise, approximately 100 Sailors gathered together to maintain and qualify in various weaponry such as M9 pistols, M240B machine guns, and M2A1 machine guns.
“Security is required to maintain their qualification every two years as well as semi-annually,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Lance Shults, from Mount Pleasant, Texas. “Defense of the ship is essential. Just like pilots get their flight time, we get our time out here to train and shoot.”
The capability of Security’s shooting accuracy typically borders near perfect scores, with Master-at-Arms 1st Class Andres Flores and Master-at-Arms 1st Class David Beard being deemed the most accurate shooters aboard the ship.
In recalling how he became such a great marksman, Flores, from Sacramento, California, confessed that he put a lot of time and training into being proficient with his weapons.
Beard, who is from Seattle, recently achieved perfect marks with the M9 pistol and M4 rifle.
“The greatest highlight of any weapons training is simply firing the gun,” said Beard. “It took me 18 years to score perfect marks with these weapons. I think it’s important to remember the best approach to shooting is that you have to calm the body, breathe, and don’t anticipate the shot. Because on the other end of that gun, you have to be mentally prepared to take a life if need be.”
To better train and help Sailors qualify, dry-fire classes were held beforehand to help Sailors get comfortable with using the weapon. Flores was in charge of that training as well as during the live-fire exercise to set his shipmates up for success.
“I primarily played my part as a line coach for the exercise,” said Flores. “What that means is that I ensured the safety of everyone present and made sure the exercise was carried out correctly. Every facet of the exercise was vitally important because Sailors need to be fully qualified and prepared in the event they have to protect themselves or others.”
During the exercise, all Sailors were required to use protective gear and assume the proper stance while firing the weapon. Every time a Sailor pulled the trigger, they ran through a mental checklist to prepare them for the use of deadly force.
“Everything and everyone need to be protected,” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class John Jeffers, from Bellview, Nebraska, an exercise participant. “Aboard my last ship, I was very close to having to use my training to be able to defend the ship. The main things I had to remember was even as the adrenaline was pumping through me, I had to stay calm, be aware of my surroundings, and above all else – be safe.”
For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn71. Join the conversation with TR online at www.facebook.com/USSTheodoreRoosevelt and at www.twitter.com/TheRealCVN71.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2023 12:30 |
| Story ID: | 457676 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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