US Navy Recruit Training Command - Keel Yearbook (Great Lakes, IL)

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X 'X Among the many varied operations ex- pected of a ship at sea, perhaps the primary function of its existence is to be able to protect its country by virtue of possessing superior Hrepower. But having the guns is only half of the job . . . the other half involves providing highly trained men to operate the weapons. The Ordnance and Gunnery Division presents to the recruit a series of classes which attempt to introduce the general types of ordnance equipment utilized in the Navy. The recruit spends most of his time with his rifle. After becoming familiar with the feel and weight of it, he is instructed in the principles of operation, He learns to hold it, aim it, and are it most effectively. He is introduced to the various small arms he will most likely encounter duringthis serv- ice years, i.e., the Carand M-1, the Brown- ing Automatic Rilie, and the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. His instruction also includes a series of lectures and demonstrations designed to familiarize him with the various types of ammunition and how to identify one type from another. Along this same line he is provided with some practical experience in the loading and firing operation of the TUMM and the 5 f38 guns. Although the ammunition used is of the dummy type, being completely harmless, still speed, thor- oughness, and safety factors are stressed as if the crew were performing under bat- tle conditions. When the recruit leaves the Command and reports aboard his first ship for duty he is assigned to a battle station, and more than likely that involves one of the gun crew billets. Through shipboard practice at drills he becomes increasingly proficient at his job, but without the preliminary training he received while a recruit, the period of learning this job would be in- creased and the efficiency of shipboard op- eration impaired. ln keeping with the highest scholastic standards of the Navy, the recruit has been exposed to a course of study in which the most modern teaching techniques and train- ing aids were cmployed. He has seen movies, charts and slides. He has seen the actual guns and ammunition and he has had the opportunity to apply this knowledge in the actual loading and firing drills. He has gained the confidence and pride that accompanies mastery of a particular task and we too share in his pride. Weire proud to see the recruit learning to do a job well, taking his place in the ranks as one of our MEN OF THE NAVY.

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