Marines conduct firearms training with Djiboutian Police Officers

[Jacaylbaro]

Marines from 6th Provisional Security Company trained Djiboutian police officers in the fundamentals of marksmanship and weapons handling at a firing range near Camp Lemonier July 12.

 

During the training session, the Djiboutian police officers learned how to properly walk with a loaded weapon while engaging a target, sight alignment and sight picture, how to hold the weapon, muzzle awareness, proper commands on the firing line and the importance of keeping the weapon on safe and finger off the trigger when not engaging a target.

 

“The overall objective of this event is to develop teamwork, learn their strengths and weaknesses with small arms and build a stronger camaraderie with them,” said Marine Master Sgt. Harry McBrien, 6th PSC operations chief.

 

The Djiboutian police officers stand watch at the front gate of Camp Lemonier alongside the Marines, so it’s important for them to have the basics down in the event something happens.

 

“It helps them help us,” said Marine Sgt. William McDaniel, combat marksmanship trainer. “If they were to encounter someone, they now have the fundamentals to take down that assailant or hit a target successfully.”

 

According to Marine Cpl. Jerome Vereen, even though it’s only the fundamentals, it will still help them in a real-world scenario.

 

“The threat is definitely out there, so if they are properly trained to defend themselves, Camp Lemonier and the Marines they stand alongside, then we can engage the enemy together using the techniques we taught them today,” he said. “We want them to be successful, and making sure they can fire a weapon safely and effectively is extremely important.”

 

The importance of the event also hit home for the Djiboutian police officers, especially Sgt. Mohamed Houssein.

 

“The training I’ve received today will help me when I stand guard at the base,” he said. “Now that I have the fundamentals, I am able to do my job better and help the Marines if something were to happen.”

 

At the end of the training session it wasn’t about who got the most bullets on the targets or who had the better firing pose, it was about building relationships and improving their skill level.

 

“This is an opportunity to build relations and see first hand what their strengths and weaknesses are so we can determine how much more training they’ll need and what it will consist of,” he said. “This will help us work together better to complete the mission here in the Horn of Africa.”

 

here