Weapons Familiarization at Fort Dix

A group of Midshipmen from the United States Merchant Marine Academy travelled to the former Fort Dix, NJ - now Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst - to participate in weapons qualification and familiarization with the famed Fighting 69th Infantry Battalion of the New York Army National Guard. Over a two day period the Midshipmen were able to fire a variety of weapons and received some training on the use of these systems and how they would be employed in a platoon defense. These midshipmen were afforded the opportunity to fire the M9 Pistol, M249 SAW, M240B Machinegun, M4 Rifle, Remington 1100 Tactical Shotgun, and the M18A1 Claymore Mine, and were able to observe a few others in use. TMs of this nature come up throughout the year and are usually open to all Midshipmen interested in learning more about the Army. Feel free to stop by and talk to us about the possibilities.

 Midshipmen Nolt (above), Harris and Gambill (below) fire the  M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) light machinegun on a "pop-up" range at ASA-Dix.

M249 SAW Qualification Range

Above, members of a Stryker crew of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard give the Midshipmen a tour of their combat vehicle.

Above, M/N Gambill prepares M18A1 Claymore Mines for use on the firing range. Below is video of the Claymores being fired.

Midshipmen receive training on the M240B machinegun prior to firing from the turret of the M1114 HMMWV.

Below is a video of the Dropkick Murphys' Fighting 69th song.

Air Assault School Obstacle Course Train Up

On 14 June 2011 four Midshipmen that have been training for almost three months in preparation for attendance at the U.S. Army Air Assault School, took their chances on the Marine Corps obstacle course at SUNY Maritime.

The AAS obstacle course is designed to identify a fear of heights in any of the candidates which may adversely affect them later on in the course. Pushing yourself over the edge of a forty-foot tower with nothing between you and a long fall but a 7/16 inch piece of rope takes some willpower, but it's nothing compared to exiting a Blackhawk helicopter hovering 100 feet above the ground. "I enjoyed running through the obstacle course, it was a learning experience. Training for AAS has not been easy over the past few months but it has opened up some opportunities and is making me an all-around better person," said M/N 4/C Jonathan Young.

The video below shows some AAS candidates executing the obstacle course on "Zero Day."

On 10 July 2011 four Midshipmen will report to the United States Military Academy at West Point and attempt to earn the Air Assault Badge. 1SG Swiderski has been working closely with the Midshipmen to prepare them for the tests that lay ahead. "These four Midshipmen have devoted a lot of time, effort and energy preparing for this.  From grueling Ruck marches to the early morning gut-wrenching conditioning drills; this group has always been highly motivated and gave nothing short of 110 %.  No Midshipmen that has been selected to attend Air Assault School has failed to successfully complete it and I am fully confident that this group is well prepared and will continue to uphold that tradition," said 1SG Peter Swiderski of the Army Liaison Team.

"SUNY Maritime’s obstacle course helped me realize that it is important to calculate the most efficient method of tackling an obstacle," said M/N 3/C Tyler Driscoll. "For example, I learned to use my legs on the rope climb rather than try to muscle my way to the top. Everyone on the Army Liaison Team has been very helpful in giving us insight on the program. After training with 1SG Swiderski over the past trimester, I feel prepared and eager to challenge myself at air assault."

In the photos and videos below you can see the effort our Midshipmen are putting out during their third attempt at the Marine Corps obstacle course at SUNY Maritime. Also attending AAS will be M/N 2/C Michael Jeffers and M/N 2/C Michael Phipps who said “The obstacle course is not difficult in its individual parts. Yet the full culmination of the course and the rope climb at the end was very challenging.”

For further information in this blog about Air Assault School click here.

Letter from Ranger School

Here's a letter that we received from 2LT Alexander Wingate, a 2010 graduate of USMMA and currently a U.S. Army Infantry Officer attending Ranger School.

"CPT G, CPT Burgos and 1SG Swiderski, I am sending this update from the field to keep you all posted on my progress thus far. I am now in the classroom portion of the mountain phase preparing for my first 5-day FTX (Field Training Exercise) for graded patrols. I was able to pass Darby with two goes on my patrols (Squad Leader with an OPORD brief and as Alpha Team Leader) RAP (Ranger Assessment Phase) week went well for the most part but I had some trouble with the Malvesti Obstacle Course and Ranger Stakes (overall passed). I did sustain an injury but have been working through it. I nearly was a heat cat (hot weather injury) in Darby but after fluids was able to return to training. I would tell any future Infantry LTs to force hydrate and stretch their muscles during Ranger. I am paying for it now and it’s an extra burden. Just to paint a picture about Ranger Class, 6-11 started with 406 men on April 24th. By Thursday of that week, RAP had eliminated more than 1/3, where my company went from 140 to 67. We bumped back up to 112 with recycles when Darby started, and by the end of patrols we were down to 55. My company (Alpha) is only 50 men, so our platoon is the company. Out of all the LTs sent from IBOLC from my company (120) we are at about 50-60 remaining. I am one of seven left from the 16 in my platoon from IBOLC left. It’s interesting to be one of the few of my original peers to be left. I have met many more LTs from other branches (still largely an LT class). The keys to this course so far is to follow directions given but don't rely on others to complete the task for you. Some times it’s just not in the cards. I am realistic and understand that factors out of my control can delay or stop my graduating. However, with that said, this course is definitely "do-able" so far. An important outlook I have to keep is that I am not trying out so I can wear a tab, instead I am learning and training to be one of the few proud Infantrymen in this country and have the tactical skills required to accomplish my tasks down range... Respectfully, Alexander Wingate"

Link to Ranger School

Massachusetts National Guard Trains for Deployment to Afghanistan

05/03/2011 - U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard participate in a stress shoot at Camp Atterbury, Ind., May 4, 2011. A stress shoot is a weapons range consisting of intervals of shooting and exercise. The 182nd Infantry was at Camp Atterbury for mobilization training prior to deploying as part of a security force mission assigned to a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Jill Swank/Released)

See What The National Guard Is All About.

In this video, released by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau (CNGB), members of the military describe the value of the National Guard to our country. From natural disaster relief to man-made catastrophes like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to boarder security to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the National Guard is in the forefront, defending our country and the American way of life.

Air Assault School Video - Camp Smith/West Point, NY

See what Air Assault School is all about. Challenge yourself!

Air Assault School Meeting - Monday, 28MAR11

We will be having an Air Assault Information Meeting on Monday, 28Mar11 at 1900 in the Furuseth, room 306.  Dates and exact # of seats are yet to be determined but the course will be during this upcoming summer break.  During this meeting we will discuss in detail the prerequisites, tryout schedule and some general info.  This meeting is mandatory if you are interested in attending Air Assault School this summer.  If you are interested and cannot make the meeting, please let us know - 1SG Swiderski

A Letter from Afghanistan

I thought that this letter was worth sharing with those of you that follow this blog. It gives some insight as to the people we serve with in the military.

Hey Gang,
Another amazing and emotional day yesterday. I try to write about things that impress me professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. Yesterday I was again impressed.

At 5:00 a.m., the Giant Voice (the base PA system) announced two incoming casualties. I reluctantly roused from my slumber and made my way to the E.R. On arrival, I found two victims of an accidental grenade explosion, one critically injured and one more stable. The critical patient had third degree burns to his face, neck and upper chest and severe penetrating abdominal injuries. He was in shock and was taken directly to the O.R. by the surgical team. The other had multiple burns, but fairly superficial. He also had eye injuries and he was essentially deaf from the blast, but he was stable. While the unstable patient was in surgery, my team and I evaluated and treated the stable patient, managed his eye injury (severe ocular contusion with corneal burns), CT’d him, cleaned and dressed his burns and expedited his helicopter evacuation to the ophthalmologist at the larger Bagram hospital (we don’t have one here).

The story of how the accident happened was initially unclear, but, when things settled a bit, my patient told me the following:... Click this link for the rest of the story > A Letter from Afghanistan

CWST (Combat Water Survival Test) at West Point

On Saturday, 26FEB11, six Midshipmen traveled to Camp Smith, NY and were attached to NYARNG OCS Class 56 to participate in the Combat Water Survival Test at Crandall Pool on the campus of the United States Military Academy, West Point. The CWST consist of three events - which are completed in ACU (Army Combat Uniform) with boots, weapon and load bearing vest - the 15 meter swim, equipment drop and a blindfolded three-meter drop. Our Midshipmen incorporated into the OCS squads and did great on all the events. The OCS cadre then had the class build their water confidence by treading water for an extended time, with periods of "hands out of the water," and a quick class on "Floaty Pants" or how to improvise a floatation device out of your uniform pants. The training was concluded with a squad relay swim, the winners being excused from the planned burpee event later that evening.

The Midshipmen in attendance all enjoyed the training and felt that it was worthwhile. Army events like this are open to all Midshipmen at the Academy. See the Army Liaison Team Events page for a list of future events or stop by the office to discuss participating in any of our activities.

Match Your Interests to an Army Career Field

We've added a link to the U.S. Army Branch Information page that will take you to a questionaire that will match your interests to the various jobs the Army has to offer. It is geared towards enlisted Soldier MOSs; however, it will give you a general idea as to what officer career field best coincides with the things that you like to do.

So check out the site to MATCH YOUR INTERESTS to an Army career and see if you're skills, experience and talents will lead you to a career in the Field Artillery, Transportation/Logisitcs, Special Forces or one of the other basic branches.

If it piques your interest, stop by to talk about the results.

Airborne School Information Meeting

The next opportunity to attend Jump School is at the end of this trimester.  At the present time this opportunity is only open to 2013“B” splitters.  We will be conducting a quick informational meeting to discuss all the details on Monday, 31Jan11 at 1900 in Furuseth, room 306.  If you’re interested in attending Jump School you must attend this meeting.  If you cannot attend send 1SG Swiderski or me an email so we can get you the information.

See the post entitled "Airborne School" by going to the bottom of this page and clicking "Older Posts" for more specific information about the Army's Basic Airborne Course.

Warrior Task Training

This Monday, 10 January 2011 at 2000 the Army Liaison Team will begin a series of classes teaching various Army Warrior Tasks. The initial classes will focus on familiarizing Midshipmen with the M16 series rifle which will include maintenance, function check, load/unload and correcting malfunctions; subsequently, we hope to culminate the training with a TM to the NYARNG Armory on Lexington Avenue in NYC to utilize the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST). The EST will allow you to simulate zeroing and qualifying with the M16 as well as perform as part of a squad during scenario based training simulations.


Monday’s class will be MAINTAIN an M16 RIFLE and will include: clearing the rifle; disassemble the rifle; clean, inspect and lubricate; assemble the rifle; and perform a function check.

All Midshipmen are welcome to attend the classes; however, space is limited. If you would like to attend please email us or stop by the office to have your name added to the sign-up sheet.

The location of the training is yet to be determined.

CPT G