MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Depot's Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) recently received a technological upgrade when its old system was replaced with the ISMT-E, a superior system that is designed to better prepare both recruits and permanent personnel for rifle range qualification.
The ISMT-E is a Window's 98 based/digital system, while the old system was a DOS based/analog system. Simply put, the ISMT-E has been a huge improvement.
"It's a lot like a cell phone," said Sgt. Sergio Vasques, an ISMT instructor. "If your cell phone is run on an analog system, your signal is most likely not very clear. But, if you have a digital cell phone, your signal is clear and crisp."
The clarity of the ISMT-E is important, but according to Vasques, clarity is just one of the many improvements that will benefit both the Primary Marksmanship Instructors that use the ISMT as a training tool, and their students, who rely on the ISMT as a key step in becoming a rifleman.
"It truly provides recruits with a feeling of realism," said Vasques, a 28-year-old Miami native. "The ISMT-E is also far more accurate than the old system, which translates into a better understanding of a shooters groups."
Understanding what a shooter is doing wrong is the key to helping them improve, and according to Sgt. James Long, an ISMT instructor, the old system could sometimes provide instructors inaccurate information.
"The old system had holes, meaning you could move the weapon around a little bit and still hit black," said Long. "In order to hit black with the new system, you have to be dead on."
Considering the Depot sends an estimated 2,500 recruits through the ISMT each month, it is vitally important that all of the PMI's training tools are as accurate as possible.
"The ISMT-E has made it a lot harder to shoot in the ISMT than to shoot on the range," said Vasques. "This insures that recruits are better prepared for the rifle range and not able to use their performance in the ISMT as a crutch, when they have to do it for real."
Vasques added that more than 50 percent of the recruits that train in the ISMT have never used a weapon before, which increases the importance of introducing a recruit to what firing a weapon feels like.
The ISMT-E was produced and installed by Firearms Training Systems (FATS), Inc., which is a leading worldwide producer of interactive simulation systems designed to provide training in the handling and use of small and supporting arms.
Firearms Training Systems trained the ISMT personnel in how to operate the system and repair minor mechanical problems, which will also limit the downtime of the system.