As soon as Sailors walk into what resembles a cleared out music studio room, they are immediately drawn to the weapons pre-staged for use and projector screen showing a human silhouette as a target. A voice from an intercom instructs them to stand at the firing line as they prepare themselves to pick the weapon.

Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) who are slated for security duty practice how to shoot the Beretta M9 and the M4 service rifle using a gun range simulator called the Professional Range Instruction Simulator (PRISim) on Naval Station Norfolk.

Instructors utilize projector screens, computer software, laser sighting and simulated weapons, to properly teach new shooters the motions of how to operate weapons in a controlled environment.

PRISim has been in operation in Norfolk since 2004 and the George Washington has made use of its facilities since February 2017. PRISim is a more efficient way of preparing shooters for a live gun range due to its closed-off training environment, a stark contrast for Sailors trying to train on the ship.

"At the ship, I had to use a megaphone while the students wore hearing protection as jackhammers and circular saws were being used around us," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Travis Hollyfield. "The hustle and bustle from the ship is very disruptive when it comes to these training scenarios. PRISim is a vast improvement in that sense."

The PRISim training range handles anti-terrorism force protection training for a variety of weapons, including Tasers.
"PRISim is funded by CNAL (Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic) and we get requests to participate in our course," said Ron Sunday, a staff member at PRISim. "Squadrons, carriers, destroyers, any kind of command that needs training we're here to supply to."

Training is conducted at PRISim at a "need to" basis, ranging from once every two months to twice a week. Only essential personnel, those who actively require gun qualifications to perform their job (such as security and weapons) can schedule an appointment at PRISim.

"We are constantly trying to have our security personnel qualified on the weapons they need for daily use," said Hollyfield. "So our time at PRISim is prioritized by the amount of personnel who haven't shot these weapons or have their expiration dates on their weapons qualification approaching."

Before Sailors are assigned to George Washington's security department, completing the PRISim training is mandatory. For more information about PRISim visit https://rfmss.belvoir.army.mil.

Join the conversation with GW online at www.facebook.com/USSGW and www.twitter.com/GW_CVN73.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.