MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Marine Corps, often called one of the biggest “gun clubs” in the nation, has one job set that contains experts of all weapons they possess- armorers.
The staff of an armory consists of small arms repair technicians and precision weapons specialists, each being the first call made when a problem arises for any weapon in the Marine Corps’ arsenal.
These military occupational specialties require Marines to catalog, repair, maintain and account for every weapon in the armory. If weapon components jam or malfunction, an armorer must know how to fix the issue in a stressful environment.
“When I was in Iraq, I was working at an [entry control point],” said Cpl. Marco A. Hernandez, an armory noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Wing Support Squadron 373 and a Downey, Calif., native. “I heard someone saying ‘a [M2 .50-caliber machine gun] jammed.’ So I ran over and fixed it in five minutes. I was able to help them even though I was just a [private first class] because I knew how to do my job.”
While technicians and specialists inspect, maintain and repair small arms, a precision weapons specialist can also fabricate weapons parts and work on vehicular-mounted weapons systems.
“A precision weapons specialist must fully know the job of a small-arms repair technician before they are allowed to learn the extra skills necessary for precision weapons like sniper rifles,” said Sgt. Brencent T. Berry, a precision weapons specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and a Tuskegee, Ala., native.
Both job sets require not only weapons knowledge but full accountability for hundreds of rifles, pistols, automatic weapons and optics as well as their technical manuals.
To maintain all of this, each Marine Corps armory must maintain constant inventory by going through monthly and quarterly inspections in addition to daily visual checks.
The morning of an armory worker begins with a full-system count where armorers physically touch every piece of gear assigned to their unit. A limited technical inspection, gauging weapons for function ability, must also be conducted before weapons can be issued to Marines on the range or executing operations.
After issuing all necessary weapons and gear, technicians begin working on one of the multiple documented examinations of their armory.
“We go through a quarterly [consolidated memorandum receipt], an annual CMR, a [supply maintenance analysis team] inspection and a inspection,” said Hernandez. “We are always verifying every piece of serialized gear, plus their technical manuals, and making sure everything is well maintained for use.”
Each inspection is done by a different person to ensure accountability is as accurate as possible.
After confirming that each piece of weaponry is where it should be, armorers may begin checking weapons systems for functionality and conducting necessary repairs and preventative maintenance. These checks include every piece of weaponry issued by the Marine Corps such as rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns and pistols. All armorers must study the complete technical manuals they keep in-shop as well as each new edition to stay as proficient as possible in their duties as small arms experts.
“I love my job,” said Hernandez. “I take pride in what I do because I like knowing that if something goes wrong with a weapon, I’m the first one they call.”