Frag Out: 29th ENG Soldiers throw live grenades

By Staff Sgt. Tramel S Garrett (USARPAC)September 19, 2014

Frag Out!
A Charlie Company, 29th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Soldier throws a practice grenade during a range Sept. 15 on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Soldiers were allowed to throw live grenades after several safety and preliminary marksmansh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII -- Nervous and tense, the sweat rolls off his face as he holds a live grenade firmly near his chest. He's trained all day with practice grenades, but now it was time to do the real thing. The safety noncommissioned officer calls his name. He takes a deep breath and walks to his fighting position.

It was time to rise above the fear and trust his training. The NCO gives him instructions and in seconds a grenade was in the air. "Frag out" he shouts. He dodges in his foxhole and feels the impact of the explosion. "all clear" is echoed on the range. He stands up with a smile on his face and an overwhelming rush of adrenaline.

For Spc. Sean Harding, satellite communications system operator-maintainer, Charlie Company, 29th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, this is the type of training he would love to do consistently.

"This has been an amazing experience. The last time I threw a live grenade was basic training. I was a little nervous but things went pretty smooth," said Harding, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The 29th ENG BN Soldiers received several safety and preliminary marksmanship instructions including proper arming, carrying and throwing of the High Explosive Hand Grenades.

Capt. Adam Grines, Charlie Company Commander, 29th ENG BN, 25th Infantry Division wanted to give his Soldiers the opportunity for a diverse training.

"The intent was to familiarize Soldiers with tossing grenades and becoming proficient at it," said Grines a native of Meridian, Mississippi. I wanted to do something different other than a M4 or M249 rifle range."

"This was definitely a morale booster for the Soldiers," said Grines.

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