MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, conducted familiarization fire Jan. 31, at MCAS Miramar, with the M1014 Beretta 12-gauge shotgun as well as basic defensive tactics training.

The military police are required to train every month to maintain readiness for their duties. 

“We train twice a month to maintain the individual training standards that are required for this job,” said Gunnery Sgt. Frank Gill, training staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, PMO.

Gill, a 37-year-old native of San Diego said that they use shotguns because they work in populated areas. If they were to use an assault rifle the round could miss the target and possibly injure a bystander.

The Marines practiced techniques and methods that will prove useful in different types of situations.

“This training is a combination of how to tactically load the weapon safely and how to engage a target at different distances,” said Gunnery Sgt. Ross E. Gatcomb, special reaction team commander, PMO.

There are two methods of loading the weapon. The conventional method is to load shells through the magazine well and the tactical way to load is directly into the chamber.

The shooters had to switch between both methods during the course of fire.

The Marines shot at targets from distances of 25 feet to 7 feet, to prepare them for any situation.

“If a terrorist was driving onto the station, the Marines would have to know how to shoot accurately from a distance to stop the driver,” said Gatcomb, a 35-year-old native of Eagle Lake, Maine.

The shooters practiced firing from the kneeling position as well as shooting then moving.

“These techniques are used to make yourself a harder target for the enemy,” said Gatcomb. “It throws their aim off.”

The Marines also conducted defensive tactics training where they learn basic suspect handling and compliance techniques. It involves a combination of Marine Corps martial arts and apprehending procedures.

Techniques that were practiced include how to deal with a compliant and non-compliant suspect as well as single and two-man apprehensions. They also learned methods to apprehend suspects who may be larger, stronger and harder to apprehend.

If a suspect is hurt during the apprehension process, the military police officer will be held accountable. The techniques are designed to apprehend a suspect without injuring them.

“They need to know how to protect themselves from a suspect using a professional manner,” said Sgt. Anthony G. Westrich, watch commander, PMO.

The military police are required to maintain a specific level of readiness at all times. These Marines are responsible for protecting the personnel and families on the station.

“I wish we could train more,” said Gill. “The more these Marines train, the more efficient they will be on post"