More than meets the eye

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Whitney Lambert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE --  Instructors, is the line ready? The line is READY! FIRE!

Certified 4th Security Forces Squadron combat arms training and maintenance (CATM) instructors are contributing to the war by preparing Team Seymour in weaponry.

Combat Arms does more than just teach Airmen to shoot, said Staff. Sgt. Charles Poling, 4th SFS CATM instructor. Their personnel have 14 additional duties directly effecting mission readiness and training. Their duties include weapons inspections, hazardous materials/ hazardous materials incident action plan custodian, weapon parts monitor and much more.

Each duty includes several procedures that must be followed with extreme precision. Weapons inspectors keep constant accountability of all weapons on base, inspect each weapon annually and are the only ones allowed making repairs on a weapon. After repairs are complete, the inspector documents every step taken to fix the weapon and adds the information to records.

CATM instructors receive annual training on the eleven weapons they teach to stay certified. The instructors have to get annual training to stay certified. Instructors have a unique passion for their career and believe they have the best job in the Air Force, said Master. Sgt Robert Overcash, 916th Air Refueling Wing CATM NCOIC.
Their career involve several risks, as instructors deal with high levels of lead, constant instantaneous noise, flying debris and chemicals daily. Once a bullet meets the concrete wall, it bursts into tiny particles which leaves lead in the air. To prevent lead exposure, an air flow system was installed to keep the debris down range.

"No one thinks of the occupational hazards," Sergeant Overcash said.

CATM Airmen at the range are also responsible for training all Seymour Johnson personnel on small arms weapons in preparation for deployments or departing to a new base. Deployers have priority to receive training, Airmen departing to a new base are second and annual shooters are third. If a shooter does not pass the course the first time, they must complete mandatory remedial training. The remedial training focuses on the fundamentals of the weapon and how to shoot properly.

"We provide the skills for Airmen to become warriors," said Staff Sgt. Robert Marcheski, 4th SFS CATM instructor.