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The 308th QM Co-Matthew Lawson: From Home Station to Iraq
Steve Baines
"The 308th QM Co. has used the equipment for refresher training, remedial training, pre-qualification training, "confidence" training, and just for fun (we have contests for speed and accuracy with the ALT-C Validater)," says SSG Matthew S. Lawson, 308th Quartermaster Co., Supply Sergeant, and the NCOIC of all the MPRI training and currently stationed in Log Base Sietz, Iraq.
Lawson says one of the greatest assets of the LMTS is that it can be set up in almost any location. "We have used the equipment in a variety of locations, for example, drill halls, old rifle ranges, conference rooms, and outdoor rifle ranges. This equipment can be used anywhere. Currently, we have the ability to set up 4 stations with the 330's, 1 station with the 360, utilizing the laptop and 2 or 3 firing points, and 1 ALT-C course."
In addition to the mobile capabilities of the LMTS, Lawson says the LMTS has changed the way he trains and has really provided soldiers with shooting confidence. "I find LMTS to really help the soldier's confidence with their weapon. Being in the reserve system you only get to go to an actual range once a year and even then we are limited to a lack of time and low ammunition allocations. LMTS gives us a more realistic training environment for the soldiers; they are actually shooting at something and can see were they are hitting or not hitting, as the case may be." Lawson went on to state that; "I believe that the technology available in the world is finally trickling down to us at the lower echelons. Up until LMTS came along we were still using the dime on the end of a cleaning rod method, which, by the way, is still a good tool to use to help with the four fundamentals of marksmanship. I just think this gives us a more comprehensive approach to shooting."
If the equipment impressed Lawson, the training and the customer service impressed him even more. "I don't think there is one thing I don't like about LMTS; it is a "total package" system. I think the thing I appreciate most about MPRI is the customer service! I was amazed that there was a team willing to come to Des Moines, Iowa, or anywhere that we wanted for that matter, to "Train the Trainer." And the credentials on these guys! I've been in the Army for almost ten years now and I felt like an amateur in a room with these guys! They didn't make you feel like that though. They were very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. That crew made a huge impression on me about what kind of company the people at MPRI run. I can tell that they actually care enough about their equipment and their customers to have only the very best equipment and training available to us. The quality of instruction I received from the team sent to us from MPRI was second to none in terms of professionalism, skill level, and friendliness. I enjoyed the course and it's instructors so much that it made me want to call MPRI and ask for a job."
"From the first time I went to a train the trainer course run by MPRI, I knew this equipment in the hands of the right user could be the answer to those "bad days" on the range. Back at our "home station" after the course, we were very excited to see our equipment arrive from headquarters. I remember the day it arrived; we had just returned from chow and set it up immediately. We started shooting and before too long we had a line of people, including Marines and Narcotics Officers who work in our building, asking if they could be next! The other instructor and myself couldn't believe the reactions we were getting from others about the LMTS equipment. I know that some of the people interested just wanted to play with a new toy that we got and we kind of expected that anyway; you know how soldiers are! But when they came back and asked us to train them on a drill weekend or for their full time staff, we knew that this equipment really does produce results and speaks for itself in terms of effectiveness."
"Shortly after establishing a solid training regimen with the other instructor for my unit, I was transferred to another reserve unit, still in the same regional command, for mobilization purposes. When I arrived to my new duty station, I saw that they already had the LMTS equipment. However, they hadn't been utilizing it's capabilities; so I volunteered to train some soldiers to run the equipment and train soldiers on PMI (primary marksmanship instruction) and stay on the team in an over watch position until they felt comfortable teaching the classes. I would have loved to do it myself but the mobilization process for a Supply Sergeant is quite possibly the busiest time of his or her career! So, we trained on the equipment and PMI for as long as we could and then started running classes with the troops."
"The classes were held in an old rifle range that the building had used a long time ago to fire .22 caliber rounds back before we knew about lead poisoning and it's dangers. Of course the old range had been cleaned and cleared years ago and now is just a big empty room. Luckily for us it has perfect twenty-five meter lanes already laid out. The classes were held for nearly three weeks all day; soldiers were encouraged by the Company Commander to shoot as much as they could and required to attend at least once. Before long it was off to our Mobilization Station at Ft. Riley, KS. So we packed up, LMTS included, and headed out."
"Once at Ft. Riley with the mobilization classes, immunizations, doctor's visits, and equipment transfers, there was little time for anything else. However, a small group of us remained dedicated to setting up the LMTS whenever time permitted. This allowed soldiers the opportunity to stay up late and shoot or get up early and shoot. Classes were held in hallways, classrooms, and dayrooms. All this was an effort to prepare us for the qualification ranges quickly approaching."
"With range qualification day finally arriving and 108 out of 112 soldiers qualifying within their first two attempts, we LMTS instructors considered ourselves successful but knew our work wasn't done. That night was one of the longest LMTS sessions I've ever been involved with. We trained the last four soldiers for hours on the four fundamentals of marksmanship and shot uncountable numbers at the LMTS system. It paid off in a big way too, because two days later those last four soldiers qualified on their first attempt of the day. Our mission was a success and we were proud."
"With the qualifications out of the way and our mobilization process changing to more combat related training, we started to look for new ways to employ the LMTS. We found them too! The system was utilized in room clearing techniques where we would put different targets in different areas and shoot for scores. It worked wonders for our soldier's confidence and technique. During our MOUT exercise utilizing blanks and MILES gear, my Headquarters platoon, along with the units Fuel and Water platoon, scored the most kills and took the least amount of casualties of any other unit mobilizing at that time. Although LMTS cannot be solely responsible for such results, there is no doubt that it played a major role in our success."
"Thank you MPRI!"
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LMTS
Real Situations
