CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Safety. Magazine. Chamber. Safety. I could hear these fundamental words playing over and over again in my head as I stood for the second time before a green silhouette, prepared to fire and then safely clear my M-9. This time, I couldn't fail - with a deployment just a week a way, there wasn't room for error.
Just a day prior to my "second shoot," I attended a full day of M-9 familiarization training along with 28 other students at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility, better known as CATM. A variety of students were there for different requirements, whether it was to get annual training for those on flying status, or to qualify prior to a deployment - bottom line, we were there to learn from the instructors and prepare ourselves for the "worst-case-scenario."
Being that it was my first time qualifying on the M-9, I made mental notes throughout the class as Staff Sgt. Anthony Waldon, a combat arms instructor, stressed the basic fundamentals of shooting. He trained the class on hand and trigger finger placement, stance, breathing and many more tips that would not only help guarantee a hit on the target, but would direct the round to a critical area on the target.
Though I could feel my nerves set in as the class went on and we continued going over the basics, in my heart, I didn't think failing would be an issue. When it came time to actually fire, however, things played out much differently than I expected.
During the practice shoot, my rounds were inconsistent. Though I managed to get 29 out of 45 shots on target, it was pretty pitiful looking. My shots were all over the place--I had baffled even the instructors with my poor aim. In order to qualify on the M-9, I would have to get 35 of the next 45 rounds on the target, but if I kept shooting this way, I knew I'd never pass.
Right before we were given our next 45 rounds, one of the instructors who had been watching me shoot came by and told me, "L-T ... You're anticipating the shot. Remember your fundamentals--you'll be just fine, but you're going to have to keep your eyes open to pass."
Keep my eyes open? The look on his face said, no, he wasn't joking. As I started the qualification phase, I could feel myself flinch each time I pulled the trigger. He was right--I was closing my eyes each time I sent a shot down range, and with each shot I became more discouraged. Before I knew it, all 45 shots had been expended, and without even counting, I knew I hadn't passed.
At the end of the day, while 90 percent of the students were walking out the door with a certificate in hand, I was taking the "walk of shame" to get a letter from the instructors stating I needed remedial training.
I had less than a week before I'd be heading to Iraq--not much time for improvement. However, after receiving my letter, something Sergeant Waldon said struck me. Knowing I was discouraged, he simply told me when any of his students fail, he makes it his personal responsibility to spend the needed time with them in order for them to not only pass, but to leave feeling confident.
Even though it should have been my personal responsibility to make sure I was prepared before qualification, despite my shortcomings, these instructors made it their mission to help make sure I was ready for deployment.
Each one of them truly live out the lines their creed ... in fact, it couldn't line up more with the way they took ownership of their students. A few lines really hit home for me:
"My country's strength lies in the men and women I train and their weapons which I maintain.
My students hold faith and place great trust in me. Their lives depend on my ability and their confidence in my integrity, for in a time of war, their talent will be needed.
They are to be treated with fairness and discretion, for my country's resources are entrusted to their watchful eye, and their survival is in my hands."
The next day, the instructors gave me additional practice with just handling the weapon and becoming confident pulling the trigger, without anticipating the shot ... and this time, with eyes wide open!
When it came time to fire, I stood beside 16 other security forces Airmen on the firing line, ready to qualify. Through the entirety of my qualification, Sergeant Waldon stood behind me and reminded me when I was relying on luck instead of my fundamentals. This time, when I sent my last round down range, I stood confidently before my target with 40 holes, with the majority of them on the critical areas.
Was this luck? Hardly. It was, however, a concerted effort from the combat arms instructors to guide me, correct me and ensure my shots contributed to our country's "strength."
I don't ever want a lack of preparedness on my part to put a team in that position again. I left the training with a new sense of pride and a better appreciation for the instructors who prepare more than 3,200 students here annually to protect and defend our nation.
Sergeant Waldon, Staff Sgt. John Foster, Staff Sgt. Jason Dietrick, Staff Sgt. Shaun Ferguson, Tech. Sgt Sabadilla Lloyd, Staff Sgt. Errol Samuel, and Tech. Sgt Eric Baldoni--thank you for all that you do. As combat arms instructors, your professionalism in training continues to produce men and women capable of defending the freedoms we hold dear.