Armorer

Armorer is an enlisted technical specialty or rating utilized by the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps.

Description

Most Marines never forget the memories of when they were issued their first rifle at recruit training, including how they learned basic rifle assembly, disassembly, cleaning and operation of the rifle.

The Marines behind the caged window of the armory that issued the rifle may have been forgotten, but throughout the Marine Corps small-arms repairers and technicians, or armorers, remain a key component to mission success. The Marines are the first line of Maintenance for all Marine weapons. The Armorers are the second and last line of field maintenance. Armorers further the Marine Corps’ mission through maintenance and inspection, and by accounting for weapons used in exercises, deployments and military police operations. They repair electrical, electronic, molytronic, hydraulic and mechanical systems, and make detailed casualty analysis. They test ammunition, missiles, and their ordnance components. Armorers train and supervise personnel in the handling and stowage of ammunition, missiles, and assigned ordnance equipment. They are also trained in small arms (pulsers, plasma rifles, flechette guns, and others), crew served weapons (tribarrels, plasma guns, SAM's, and grenade launchers), pyrotechnics, hand grenades, non-lethal weapons, force protection and anti-terrorism. They also operate shooting ranges and armories and are responsible for the storage and issue of ammunition. Supporting separate and diverse units provides a unique opportunity for armorers to interact with the wide variety of firearms used throughout the Marine Corps.

Historical Overview

Keeping weapons up to date and fully repaired is a key job in any branch of the military, and in the Marines, a big part of this responsibility falls to the small arms repairer/technician. It's an enlisted job with some specific requirements to be eligible. The general military definition of small arms, which are somewhat different than light weapons, refers to those weapons that can be used by a single person. They include handguns, light automatic weapons (which include some machine guns), portable rocket launchers, rifle- and shoulder-fired grenade launchers and other shoulder-fired weapons. For the most part, small arms are considered portable and can be fired without a tripod or special mount. They may be used in civil disturbances as well as combat and can be stolen more easily than light or heavy arms.

The job of small arms repairer/technician in the grade of Private through Lance Corporal, involves small arms maintenance and repair, inspection procedures, and armory procedures. He or she performs inspections of all small arms, with the exception of vehicularly mounted weapons. The small arms repairer/technician also completes basic shop administrative forms and records. At the Corporal through Gunnery Sergeant level the small arms repairer/technician performs, trains, and supervises inspection, maintenance, and repair of all small arms, to include vehicular mounted small arms. The small arms repairer/technician also prepares, maintains, and supervises a shop maintenance and management program and coordinates maintenance and repair of small arms according to grade. Job Requirements In order to qualify for this job, Marines need a Mechanical Maintenance (MM) score of 95 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. They'll also need to complete the Ground Ordnance Intermediate Level Supervisors Course (CID AOIGBC1) by Sergeant through Staff Sergeant with 24 months remaining on active duty upon completion of the course. In the case of a lateral move, must have served a minimum of one year in MOS 2111. Also required are a National Agency Check, Local Agency Check, and Credit Check (NACLC) resident within the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). And recruits must pass the Command Arms Ammunition, and Explosive (AA and E) screening. Any conviction by court-martial, civilian court or nonjudicial judgment of any act involving larceny, theft, or drugs will disqualify recruits from this job.