The throwing of two live M-67 Fragmentation Hand Grenades is a requirement in order to graduate from basic training. In order to accomplish this, you spend a day at the grenade range, learning about all kinds of grenades as well- from smoke to incinerary. You also run a grenade course, in which your skill at seven stations transfers into a grenade medal to be worn on your Class A uniform jacket.

You will be given adequate time to practice with "pop" grenades in the morning, in a so-called "mock bay". In the afternoon, however, you will march up the hill to the grenade bunkers, or "live bay". Here you will watch from behind thick glass as each private, with a "cadre" sergeant (range permanent party) assists him in throwing his grenade. Then, it will be your turn. You will pull the pin, arch the grenade behind your head, and for about two seconds before the grenade is safely away and you are huddled behind the bunker, you may wonder what being blown up would feel like. Not to worry, the grenades do not malfunction, and you return in the evening with yet another task accomplished and yet another medal to wear to graduation.

U.S. Weapons

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