JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Army Soldiers at Fort Eustis can now receive hands-on practice on the proper techniques for throwing grenades at the Grenade Assault Course, which opened Aug. 1.
Because of the dangerous nature of learning to use hand grenades proficiently, Soldiers are trained to real world standards with safety in mind.
"The use of hand grenades is a 'use it or lose it' type of knowledge that comes with practice," said Melvin Torres-Flores, Fort Eustis Range Control range operations supervisor. "The proper use of hand grenades could determine the fate of the Soldier or the success of the mission."
This past year, Range Control employees have prepared the course, keeping safety measures in the forefront throughout development.
"Proper control procedures, such as using dummy grenades, allow us to conduct hand grenade training in a safe manner," said Torres-Flores. "The only difference between real and dummy grenades is the real ones have a bigger explosion, so using the proper techniques will still give the same effect."
The purpose of the course is to train Soldiers to become proficient in proper throwing techniques in the shortest time possible, while overcoming various obstacles. The course allows Soldiers to stay fresh on critical warfighting techniques.
"Soldiers will have to throw from the prone, kneeling and standing positions at six different stations," explained Torres-Flores. "They'll be expected to overcome obstacles, such as throwing into a trench and engaging enemies in a vehicle."
The course also reinforces other types of training. Soldiers will run through the course in teams of two. While one Soldier is throwing, the other will simulate providing security. Obstacles throughout the course will require participants to low- and high-crawl to engage enemy targets, as well as appropriately seek cover after throwing a grenade.
Fort Eustis Range Control officers said they hope Soldiers leave the course with an extensive knowledge of the proper types of grenades and techniques to use them.
"Our ultimate goal out here is to get as many Soldiers as possible to use the course," said Torres-Flores. "Use of this course can improve the rate of survival in a combat environment and the more prepared our units are, the better."
For more information regarding the Grenade Assault Course, contact Fort Eustis Range Control at 878-4412.