MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The sound of clanking metal and the stench of oil rises over the busy armory as Marines disassemble their weapons and begin cleaning them after returning from the firing range.

A few Marines walk between the masses, inspecting certain individuals' weapons and pointing out spots of carbon missed in the cleaning process.

The Marines at the armory on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are responsible for the safekeeping, maintenance, issue and recovery of weapons assigned to the facility.

"Our main responsibility is the security of all the weapons here," said Cpl. Scott P. Berry Jr., small arms repair technician, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "We also issue and recover them from Marines going to the range or deploying overseas."

Although these Marines are ultimately accountable for the weapons, they are not responsible for the cleanliness of the weapons.

"Cleanliness is on a first echelon level, which means it is the shooter's responsibility to clean the weapon before handing it back in," said the Rio Rancho, N.M., native. "We do everything above that, from making repairs - exchanging bad parts with good ones, to inspections - making sure everything on the weapon is in good order."

According to Cpl. Ross D. Vogler, small arms repair technician, MAG-11, the military occupation specialty is not difficult to enter nor is the training difficult to complete.

"Our MOS school is nine weeks long," said the Jasper, Ind., native. "It's located in Aberdeen, Md. Almost anyone can get into this MOS."

In the school, the Marines receive instruction on a wide variety of weapons including the M9 service pistol and the M2 .50-caliber machine gun. However, the school's main focus is the M-16 family of service rifles.

"I have always wanted to work with weapons," said Lance Cpl. Kenny K. Baldwin, small arms repair technician, MAG-11. "My dad always talked about the M-16, as he is a former Marine. It was something I always wanted to do as a kid. Basically, I'm living my dream.

"You get hands-on experience with weapons that a lot of people just get to go out and shoot," the Arlington, Texas, native added. "You get to know the inner and outer parts of these weapons. The whole Marine Corps is based on weapons, and the weapons that we work on here are the bare basics.

"If you work on these weapons, everyone depends on you. If you mess up, that is somebody's life. As long as the weapon remains operable, you could save someone's life."