One of my Marines has difficulty assembling his rifle. What should I do to re-train this Marine?

Sgt Michael Penney — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 09:56:46 -0400

Here is our response to a question recently asked on BloodStripes.

How would you handle this?

http://bloodstripes.com/my-marine-cant-put-the-bolt-in-his-weapon

My Marine can’t put the bolt in his weapon | Blood Stripes

Marines have always been taught 'brilliance in the basics'. Unfortunately, there has been quite a bit of media material released depicting our military doing,

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Jul 1 at 2015 10:03 AM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:03:45 -0400

1) Find out where and why they are struggling
2) Give him a PME or hip pocket class on how to assemble/disassemble their weapon
3) Have them write down the steps as they are disassembling/reassembling the weapon while supervising them
4) Follow up at a random later date and have them perform the task without preparation

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Jul 1 at 2015 10:10 AM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:10:37 -0400

Teach the Marine how to do it via facilitation and demonstration, then supervise their practical application of the lesson learned.

Response by SSgt Brian Averitt made Jul 1 at 2015 10:10 AM

SSgt Brian Averitt — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:10:50 -0400

Work with him and break it down barney-style (we Marines tend to over-do this with a certain bit of with joy). Be sure to iterate a few times the names of each piece during the dis-assembly and re-assembly. Then have him do a few times. Repetition is key as well as we learned so long ago shortly after stepping on those yellow foot prints. Eventually it will be muscle-memory. Then Like Cpl Schwerman said, find him at a later date and perform the task again with no preparation.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 1 at 2015 10:14 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:14:56 -0400

First, I do not know how it would be possible to get through boot camp and not be able to field strip your weapon in the dark. All he is struggling with here is getting the charging handle and bolt back into the upper receiver. How many times do you field strip your rifle at boot camp? It must be hundreds of times.

I taught my oldest son before he left for Parris Island how to filed strip an AR-15 in about 1 hour total. That included me demonstrating, naming parts etc. then reassembling a time or two and then him doing it a few times.

This Marine is either feigning ignorance or has the memory retention of a gnat. Neither is good.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Jul 1 at 2015 10:28 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:28:09 -0400

If he is a boot, he could be scared of fuc**ng up even more. Take him to the armory when it's just your two and go over it again and again. It wasn't with an M16, but a saw I had to do this with for a Marine.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 1 at 2015 10:30 AM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:30:37 -0400

Have you seen Glory? Try firing a pistol next to his head and screaming "faster, faster, faster!" If that is not feasible, suitable or acceptable. Then practice, practice, practice.

I am no NCO, but I understand how we train, in the Army, and I am sure the Marines are similar (better, but similar). I would go with show him/her by the numbers, than practice step by step, with you and him/her doing simultaneously. Then progressively increase the speed the until he/has it down...

In the Army we call it crawl, walk, run. But, you can't do the walk part, until you master the crawl - put it together correctly, with you, no time limit. Sgt Michael Penney

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 10:40 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 10:40:32 -0400

Take it slow. By the numbers. Step by step. Show, assist, watch....over and over until this Marine can do it blindfolded in the dark during a snow storm

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 1 at 2015 11:13 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:13:58 -0400

Same way to you get to Carnegie Hall: PRACTICE.

I concur with everyone's responses so far: show him how to do it by the numbers. Then have him do it with you a couple times. Once he seems to get the hang of it, have him practice on his own to burn it into muscle memory. Then later on have him demonstrate it back to you. No need to yell, no need to make him feels stupid. That will only make the problem worse.

Now, once he can actually do it consistenty, but is having specific problems (getting the charging handle to marry up, getting the cam pin to come out, etc) THEN you can show him any of the tricks you may have picked up to address these issues.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 1 at 2015 11:20 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:20:41 -0400

Can't put the bolt in his weapon but passed the ASVAB and got through bootcamp? ???

This problem didn't just happen. Seems you have a leadership challenge because others along the way didn't exercise proper leadership and properly train this Marine. Honestly, is it that difficult to put a bolt in your weapon when most people can do it blindfolded?!!

If the Marine finds putting the bolt in their weapon difficult, I suspect they probably have trouble brushing their teeth and tying their boots as well. You have to ask yourself, would I want to depend on this guy to keep me alive in combat? You have to make the effort to try and train this individual, but if they don't respond well to remedial training, IMHO your best option would be to hasten an early exit from the Marines for this individual.

Response by SPC David S. made Jul 1 at 2015 11:45 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:45:59 -0400

First slow the process down, fix any mistakes, then repetition to the point he's an expert. Only then work on the speed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 11:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 11:51:17 -0400

I've gone through this. I sat my Soldier down walked him through the rifle, had him perform the task, then I had him walk me through. We had to spend some time going through it. Once a month he has to take me through the disassembly and reassemly of the rifle as though I am a new Soldier and don't know anything about the rifle. He is getting better everytime.
If it is a lack of motivation take away a privilege or two until he can perform the task to standard.

Response by SGT Juan Soriano made Jul 1 at 2015 12:08 PM

SGT Juan Soriano — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:08:24 -0400

Try not to talk to him and just do it, I front of him. Don't go so fast but make sure he is watching you and adapting.
Sometimes people don't learn by speech but by actions "hand motinons".

Maybe, he is the type of person that learns by him doing it and you correcting him as he is doing it himself.

Try patience and kindness maybe that will work?..

Good luck!..

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 12:26 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 12:26:42 -0400

Throat punch him every time he messes up. jk. I agree with @LTC Paul Labrador

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 1:09 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:09:44 -0400

take a leaf from "Full Metal Jacket", find a Joker to mentor this Pyle.

Response by 1SG Robert C. made Jul 1 at 2015 2:26 PM

1SG Robert C. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:26:30 -0400

1) First figure out how the Marine learns. Some learn hands on, some have read and lectures and some learn by listening to music.
2) Find out what motivates the Marine.
3) Teach the Marine the correct method that the Marine learns then re- enforce with what motivates the Marine.
4) Practice again and again.

The biggest part of being a trainer is not delivery of information but it is figuring out how people learn an changing to that technique of teaching. It difficult for masses but is excellent at squad and team levels.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 1 at 2015 4:27 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:27:23 -0400

Repeat the reassembly drill until muscle memory sets in. As part of the RTR, have the Marine think about this logically (ie upper assembly, lower assembly, bolt carrier group), then do it in reverse. It's simple enough and may break down the exercise into manageable, bite-sized pieces

Response by Cpl Elizabeth Koeneman made Jul 1 at 2015 4:40 PM

Cpl Elizabeth Koeneman — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 16:40:20 -0400

I mentioned this to hubby. When he was a platoon sgt, he had the same situation with a Marine. He sent him to the armory on a weapon cleaning working party. The only way they will learn is repetition.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Jul 1 at 2015 8:24 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:24:28 -0400

I seriously found this difficult to believe, but from previous comments it seems it is quite common. I suppose that it is possible to be mechanically dyslexic, but I don't see the Marine as the problem. If this is honestly true, his DI needs to be hunted down and his ass professionally kicked, many, many, times around the grinder for letting this Marine off the island (or across the freeway) in this pitiful state. WTF are you doing to my Marine Corps?????

Response by Cpl David Elway made Jul 1 at 2015 8:52 PM

Cpl David Elway — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 20:52:47 -0400

Give him a pme then give him ample opportunity to do it via clean the squad's weapons

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 9:08 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 21:08:55 -0400

Two ways a warfighter learns: blunt force trauma and repetition. Spend some time. After hours if necessary. Break out the manual and do it with him. Over and over, until he masters it.

Response by LCpl Walter Booker made Jul 2 at 2015 9:41 AM

LCpl Walter Booker — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 09:41:10 -0400

Shoot him in his foot. A marine and his weapon is what makes you a marine. If you can't put it back together than you are not effective. And a good marine is always ready.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jul 2 at 2015 12:52 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 12:52:43 -0400

Push him off a roof.

Response by Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns made Jul 2 at 2015 1:20 PM

Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:20:29 -0400

Remove the time limit he still feels he is under. He needs to completely accomplish the feat once without pressure and once that happens his esteem will grow. You might just have a Marine who will set the record for assembling and disassembling that weapon on your hands.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 2 at 2015 1:25 PM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:25:05 -0400

Practice, practice, practice. Then practice some more!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 1:45 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:45:25 -0400

If remedial training has been done and documented to excess maybe he does not need to be a Marine? Just saying.....there are other jobs in other services that won't require him doing this task. Not everyone is meant for the "tip of the spear"

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 2 at 2015 3:02 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:02:06 -0400

Code Red?

Response by Sgt Christopher Colbert made Jul 2 at 2015 4:45 PM

Sgt Christopher Colbert — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:45:51 -0400

Think that Marine has volunteered for weapon cleaning detail.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 5:15 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 17:15:02 -0400

Sergeant, the best way I could think is getting a TM for the M4/M16. Make him read the part of disassembly all the way to function check. Make him go by the book and after he is confident, to come to you and do a walkthrough on the weapon while he is doing it. The great thing about the TM is that it has pictures. Which is really helpful. Understanding is key to remembering.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 9:13 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 21:13:46 -0400

Have him/her practice it blind folded. I know it sounds weird -- but they'll start learning to place pieces in their hand by how pieces feel. This will also help if someone has some type of hand eye coordination problem. My drill sergeants made us do it in basic training and I was really surprised how effective is was. After a few hours of doing it blind folded we were all just assembling and disassembling during conversation. Also, its only a matter of time before the marine needs to clean the weapon in the dark or fix a malfunction under night vision and relying on feel rather than vision is only setting him/her up for success.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 7:08 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 19:08:34 -0400

I'm an enlisted Air Force Phd and former college professor that has written books on rapid learning. ALL these commentators are spot on. The fastest ways to teach are to try multiple methods until this Marine is squared away. Show them Youtube videos, have them draw a diagram from memory, and have them demonstrate blindfolded. You could literally try 5-10 techniques until brain muscle memory kicks in.

Great job from all the commentators on their advice.

Dr. Rob

Response by Cpl Michael Joseph made Jul 30 at 2015 1:17 PM

Cpl Michael Joseph — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 13:17:45 -0400

Sit that marine down and show him repeatedly until he understands. Each squad is only as strong as their weakest link. Help that marine learn!

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Aug 20 at 2017 4:20 PM

Cpl Rc Layne — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:20:23 -0400

Break it down by numbers until he can, or document the ineptness and get rid of him, or realize you're being played, and get rid of him. All of which are your job.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2017 4:22 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:22:26 -0400

Send him home.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made Aug 20 at 2017 4:38 PM

SSG Joseph VanDyck — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 16:38:03 -0400

Reclass him into the USN.

Response by Sgt William Margeson made Aug 20 at 2017 6:10 PM

Sgt William Margeson — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 18:10:25 -0400

If he/she can not do basic weapons maintanence. why was this Marine judged Qualified? Some one, or some people pushed his qualifications,. This Marine is a danger to the Unit

Response by Jerry Rivas made Aug 21 at 2017 5:40 AM

Jerry Rivas — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 05:40:49 -0400

Re train.....Then practice, practice, practice.

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Aug 21 at 2017 12:13 PM

SPC Leo Van Groll — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:13:43 -0400

Something tells me that there's more going on here.

Response by SSG Will Phillips made Aug 21 at 2017 3:53 PM

SSG Will Phillips — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 15:53:22 -0400

Sgt. Penney, this may sound harsh but I think it needs to be said. I cannot believe that a Marine Sargent can't rectify this problem with 20 minutes of personal coaching. This is a basic freaking function, your service member should have never passed basic training with out mastering it. And if you cannot fix his problem in less than an hour, he is too stupid to be a Marine and needs to go. Or you do not need to be in a leadership position. I'm not trying to be ugly and it is just my opinion.
Peace!

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Aug 21 at 2017 4:56 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 16:56:51 -0400

Wow! How'd he make it through bootcamp (San Diego, maybe?)...

Seriously... you CAN order him to draw his weapon from the armory, keep it with him throughout the day, and order him to break it diwn & reassemble it on demand. Of course, you'd have to have a reasonable goal such as consistently beating a reasonable time... even better would be if you BOTH did it (no hazing complaints)...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2017 5:10 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 17:10:26 -0400

If a Marine doesn't know how to assemble their rifle, I'm gonna start calling them "Recruit" until they figure it out.

Response by LCpl Mark Riley made May 9 at 2019 12:04 PM

LCpl Mark Riley — Thu, 09 May 2019 12:04:33 -0400

Kick him in the ass town to do it fucking right Because he’s bullshitting you

Response by SSG Mark Matteson made May 9 at 2019 2:18 PM

SSG Mark Matteson — Thu, 09 May 2019 14:18:14 -0400

Square one

Response by SPC Greg Forrester made May 9 at 2019 5:59 PM

SPC Greg Forrester — Thu, 09 May 2019 17:59:28 -0400

How he going to do a proper cleaning of his rifle then? My platoon had races of taking about different weapons. Even though we didnt have them we did it anyways. Army infantry

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made May 10 at 2019 12:40 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Fri, 10 May 2019 12:40:56 -0400

I haven’t been in for a while but when I was in in know this. That marine who can’t put a bolt in his rifle must be Obama’s son. There is no other excuse for a soldier to get through basic training and not be able to do the most basic thing like reassembling their weapon. NONE.

Response by Al Reynolds made May 11 at 2019 5:30 AM

Al Reynolds — Sat, 11 May 2019 05:30:10 -0400

Try whatever method you see fit with this Officer candidate … but, do not send him to the Navy.