An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE NEWS

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS | Jan. 13, 2016

Component cooperation enables qualification

By Staff Sgt. Melissa McGaughey 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment


SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Firers, secure your next 10-round magazine. Lock and load your 10-round magazine. Rotate your selector switch from safe to semi. Fire when ready.

These phrases were repeated countless times as the Soldiers of the United States Army Reserve Pacific Command Support Unit conducted an M16 qualification range. For the range, the soldiers had to leave their home base of Fort Shafter Flats and travel to Range CR2 on Schofield Barracks on Jan. 9, 2016.

Every Soldier in the United States Army, both active component and reserve component, is intimately familiar with these words. That’s because knowing how to properly handle and shoot an individually assigned weapon is one of the most fundamental warrior task; a task that every Soldier must demonstrate proficiency in at least once a year.

Typically, Soldiers train on proper shooting techniques and weapon maintenance throughout the year. Many times, a weapons qualification range serves as a culminating event for all of the hours spent training. Unfortunately, sometimes organizing and conducting a weapons range is easier said than done.

“USARPAC-SU has been planning this range for the last few months,” said Capt. Jeffrey G. Moyer, commander of the 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. “And they encountered some personnel shortages, mainly in the medic support side.”

Luckily, Moyer knew just who to call.

“My wife is the Alpha Company commander at Tripler.”

Alpha Company is an active-duty unit based out of Tripler Army Medical Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition to providing medical support, the active duty medics also had the opportunity to qualify along with USARPAC-SU soldiers.  

Staff Sgt. Tasha D. Seise, a human resources NCO for USARPAC-SU understands the importance of active duty and reserve component partnerships. Before moving to Hawaii, Seise was in the 5th Armored Brigade, Fort Bliss Texas.

“When I was in the reserve unit at Fort Bliss, I was in an AC/RC unit,” said Seise.

While there, I was able to see the differences between active and reserve components, and I also learned how they can work together to help accomplish the mission, said Seise.  

Seise also realized how partnerships between the active and reserve component can help strengthen the force overall.

“You have individuals with all kinds of backgrounds, individuals with all kinds of experiences; active duty, reserve component, civilian force. And you get them all together and I think that makes for a stronger group."

As for the actual range? For the Soldiers, all the planning and preparation paid off.

“I thought the range ran very well. I felt it was pretty organized,” said Seise.

It also brought her back to her active duty days.

“You smell that CLP, you smell that carbon coming out of the weapon and it’s that familiarity. I liked it. It kind of reminded me of when I was on active duty. I enjoy range days, I really do.”

By working together to accomplish the mission, more than just weapon qualifications were achieved at Range CR2. Active duty and reserve components built relationships that will last well beyond just the day of the event.

“By us working together the reserve component can show active what we truly offer and vice versa,” said Moyer. “Which is important because we really are one force, one team.”