FORT BELVOIR, Va. (March 5, 2012) -- Headquarters Battalion Soldiers sharpened their shooting skills during a M4 assault rifle training Tuesday.
The 212th Military Police Detachment and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Soldiers worked together at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., to demonstrate their practical knowledge of the rifle to maintain their qualification.
The training reinforced a variety of the Soldier's skills such as accuracy and ability to adapt to environmental conditions.
The 212th Military Police Detachment conducts these trainings sessions every month to keep their Soldiers sharp and ready to respond to incidents on post.
The M4 serves as the detachment's secondary weapon while the M9 (9mm Beretta Pistol) is the primary.
The detachment conducted qualification training with the M9 last month, and though the detachment uses the M9 more frequently, 212th leadership insists that maintaining proficiency with the M4 is just as important.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Henry, 212th MP Detachment Sergeant, said staying sharp with the M4 helps the detachment remain prepared to handle situations such active shooters on post.
"There's no telling when we might have to respond to that type of scenario," Henry said. "It's a necessity to stay qualified."
Soldiers spent the first portion of the training adjusting their weapons to the distance and elevation of their targets, a process termed zeroing.
Range control noncommissioned officers in charge assisted by judging Soldier's accuracy and providing instructions on how to improve.
The RCOs also ensured the safety of the servicemembers by checking their weapons before and after each firing set.
Once the zeroing adjustments were made, the Soldiers proceeded to the qualification test.
The task was to hit 23 out 40 pop-up targets ranging from 50 to 300 meters in prone supported, prone unsupported and a kneeling position. Soldiers passed the test one-by-one.
"This is fun," said Spc. Ricardo Pineda, HHC machinist and welder. "It's an adrenaline rush."
Pineda was one of several battalion Soldiers at the training who doesn't belong to the 212th MP Detachment. Like the 212th, these Soldiers must also maintain their weapon proficiency even though carry weapons less often than the military police.
Pineda said this was the first time he used the M4 in a year but he hopes to train more frequently.
"Practice makes perfect," Pineda said.
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