Lock and load, lock and load!

Photo By Staff Sgt. Wilma Orozco Fanfan | Citizen-soldiers of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard conducted their weapons qualification at Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center Oct. 13. During the weapons qualification training, the soldiers qualified with the squad automatic weapon M-249, M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.  

SALINAS, PUERTO RICO

10.13.2012

Story by Spc. Wilma Orozco Fanfan 

113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP SANTIAGO JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER – Citizen-Soldiers from the 544th Military Police Battalion, 101st Troop Command, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, conducted their annual weapons qualification exercise on Oct. 13 at Camp Santiago Joint Maneuver Training Center, Salinas, Puerto Rico. Training was conducted in compliance with Army standards, in which Soldiers need to be current in their basic rifle marksmanship skills.

Citizen-Soldiers proved their marksmanship skills using weapons such as the M-249 squad automatic weapon (SAW), M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.

According to Staff Sgt. William Rosario, noncommissioned officer assigned to the 544th and in charge of the weapons qualification exercise, “the troops are motivated to complete the mission.”

Regardless of Tropical Storm Rafael’s passing through the Caribbean, training continued as planned.

Rosario also said that weather conditions did not represent major problems. He described morale as high among the soldiers and that the weapons did not experience any unexpected problems due to the weather conditions.

“I did well today. My marksmanship skills have improved throughout the years,” said Spc. Solimar Solis, assigned to the 544th, as she walked off the range.

“It’s very important to receive hands-on weapon training and experience the kickback and power of the rifle as it fires,” said Solis, who has been in the service for 13 years.

The enthusiasm and the result of hard work were felt throughout the ranges.

“The highest score at the range in which we qualified was achieved by Staff Sgt. Marilyn Casiano. I’m proud of her performance,” said Maj. Adalberto Fernandez, facility manager at Fort Allen, as he and other Soldiers cleaned their weapons after a day at the range.

Thanks to the effort and determination of the troops, regardless of the threat of the passing tropical storm through the region, weapons training was accomplished as expected.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2012
• Date Posted: 10.17.2012 15:50
• Story ID: 96323
• Location: SALINAS, PR