LEARNING OBJECTIVE Describe the requirements for the security, stowage, and issuing of small arms.

As a Gunner's Mate, you are responsible for the security, stowage, and issue of all small arms. The increasing number of reported instances of ammunition and weapon pilferage by dissident groups and individuals indicates the necessity for stricter control of stowage, security, custodial responsibility, and inventory reconciliation procedures for easily pilfered items, which include small arms.

Small arms should always be stowed in an authorized and secure stowage to prevent pilferage. You must maintain a strict accountability at all times.

Department of the Navy Physical Security Instruction for Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E), OPNAVINST 5530.13, contains detailed instructions for the security of small arms and other AA&E materials. This includes access control, key custody, and stowage requirements. Since this instruction is subject to frequent changes, we will not go into any detail on its contents. However, you are strongIy encouraged to become familiar with the specifics of this document and to make its contents the object of frequent training and review in your work center.

Since all small arms are considered equipage, a signature of subcustody is required before they are issued from their normal place of stowage. Any type of signed custody record may be used as long as it bears the receiving individual's signature. Inside the armory, you should have a list of personnel who are qualified to be issued weapons. Anyone who is not on that list should not be able to draw a weapon from the armory. A second consideration for issuing small arms is to determine whether or not the requesting person is authorized to draw a weapon at this time. Any out-of-the-ordinary requests for weapons should be prearranged and authorized. When in doubt, call your chief, the division officer, or the command duty officer. Again, the important security measures are to keep the weapon locked up and, when it is issued, to determine qualification and authority and to get a signature.

SMALL-ARMS RANGE DUTIES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Discuss small-arms range duties and responsibilities both ashore and afloat.

As a Gunner's Mate, you maybe assigned to duty at one of the Navy's small-arms ranges ashore. However, you will certainly be routinely called upon to conduct the small-arms qualification firing of shipboard security force and quarterdeck watch stander personnel. Both cases require that you be proficient in range operation and safety as well as marksmanship procedures. Normally, every ship has two crewmen, usually Gunners' Mates who have been to the Navy small-arms instructor school and are certified as range masters. Certified range masters carry an 0812 or 0176 NEC. NEC 0812 is permanent and qualifies the holder to run a small-arms range both aboard ship and ashore. NEC 0176 is valid for 3 years and qualifies the holder to run shipboard ranges only. Even if you are not one of these persons, you may be called upon to assist by acting as an additional safety observer on the firing line, giving a safety brief, providing marksmanship instruction, or keeping score records.

Marksmanship procedures for each weapon are contained in the TM or FM for that weapon.

HAND GRENADES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE Describe the type and purpose of the various hand grenades used by naval forces.

A hand grenade is a small bomb with the user's arm providing the motive power to get it to the target. Hand grenades may be filled with explosives, explosives and chemicals, or (for practice purposes) maybe empty or contain inert filler. Hand grenades come in many sizes, shapes, and types and are designed to fulfill a wide variety of purposes. They can be used for inflicting material and personnel casualties, screening, signaling, illuminating, demolition, harassing, and incendiary action.

TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS

The general types of hand grenades issued are (1) training, (2) practice, (3) fragmentation, (4) offensive, and (5) chemical. Each type is designed to do a special job. For a summary of the characteristics and capabilities of each hand grenade, refer to the Army FM 23-30. Certain characteristics common to all hand grenades are as follows: The range of a hand grenade is relatively short.

The range depends on the ability of the individual and the shape of the grenade. A well-trained sailor should be able to throw the fragmentation hand grenade an average of 44 yards but may average only 27 yards with the heavier white phosphorus smoke grenade. The effective casualty radius of a hand grenade is relatively small when compared to that of other weapons. The term effective casualty radius is defined as the radius of a circular area around the point of detonation within which at least 50 percent of the exposed personnel will become casualties. The effective casualty radius varies with the type of hand grenade used, so casualties can and do occur at distances greater than this radius.

Delay fuzes are used in all standard hand grenades. Detonation of the grenade is not on impact but after the delay element in the fuze has burned, The fuze assembly (fig. 3-114) consists of a the body, a

Figure 3-114.-Functioning of the fuze.

safety lever, a safety pin, a striker spring, a primer, a delay element, and a detonatcr or igniter. For further information about the operation of the fuze assembly, refer to FM 23-30. All casualty-producing grenades (fragmentation, offensive, and white phosphorus) have a 4- to 5-second delay. Because of this short delay, personnel must stay alert when arming and throwing hand grenades.