Random Marine Questions

Posted on 01 Nov 2025 @ 12:59am by Chief Warrant Officer Glenn Stone Mr & Master Sergeant Thomas Zang

1,371 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Marine deck
Timeline: Sometime After Stone Arrivle

I went with this JP to cover all possible topics. We will be on the marine decks looking at the Marines. The new boat chief for a walk-through.

ON:

Stome exited the turbo lift and walked out. Two marines walking by moved to one side, not getting in the way of the Chief. They gave the greeting of the day and waited for Stone to walk by before moving on their way.

As Stone walked, the deck was clean and in order, but Stone did not think it would be any different. The carpet was a different color, standard on a feration ship, being the marine deck, and they had to have it to show it was their deck. Stone always found that funny, but understood.

He was to meet Master Sergeant Thomas Zang, the demolitions expert on the ship. Stone's training was not too different from Stone's, in some ways, but Stone's training had to do more with space. Being a Special Warfare Operator, his demolitions training is extensive, along with everything else that goes along with that training.

It took him a little time to find his office and ask a few Marines, but he arrived at the door. He touched the panel on the door, and the chime sounded. He waited for the Master Sergeant to answer.

Thomas sat in a chair; his weapon disassembled in front of him as he meticulously cleaned each part of it. a cleaning kit laid spread across his lap when he looked up to see Stone. "Sir!" He quickly moved the kit from his lap to the floor next to him then stood up at attention quickly. He saluted the Warrant Officer smartly. "What can I do for you sir?" he asked.

Stone looked surprised at the question. He smiled and shook his head. "I can see now there might be a few Marines in a deep hole, Master Sergeant," said Stone as he walked in. He was relaxed and did not appear angry, if anything amused him at the situation. "So... I was told you would give me a tour of the Marine deck, Master Sergeant. I hear you are the Man from your command team," explained the Chief, stopping about four steps from the Master Sergeant's desk.

Thomas let out a chuckle. "Well, I don't know about that, but I'll give it my best Sir. Just give me a moment to take care of this first." He said as he motioned to the disassembled weapon. He turned back to it and with amazing precision and speed, reassembled it perfectly.

"Well, well, if all the Marines can do that, I might be impressed," He replied after the weapon was assembled. Stone was impressed with the speed. He wondered if he could do it blind folded. He once saw a Marine do it with one hand, and that was a trick.

"As a sniper, I need to make sure that my weapon is at optimal operating efficiency at all times, so I keep it well cared for. I tend to disassemble it for thorough inspections at least once a week with daily cleanings." Thomas stated as he stood up and placed the weapon in a special case and stowed it into a secured locker at the foot of his bunk. He turned to face Stone again with an easy smile. "So, what can I do for you Sir?"

"Well, first, if you take that rifle apart every day, you could actually wear down some of the parts. Believe it or not, you can overclean a phaser rifle," started Stone, who was relaxed and looking around the room. "As I stated before, you are to give me a tour of the Marines' area. You got voluntold by your CO. I guess they did not tell you," Explained Stone. "Or we could sit here and stare at one another," he joked, looking over the Master Sergeant.

Thomas chuckled as he glanced at the T-116 sniper rifle he had just stowed away. He glanced back at Stone. "That particular weapon isn't a phaser rifle Sir, that is the T-116 sniper rifle, It's actually a projectile weapon. some models come with a thermal HUD and built-in short-range transporter so you can see through buildings and transport the projectile inside without compromising your position. Mine, though, isn't that exact model as I feel that takes away from the required skill of the sniper." He said with pride. He took his skill seriously though if a mission required him to use the modified version, he would but he preferred the standard model as it depended on the sniper using it.

"I guess I did not make my explanation clear. I apologize. The phaser rifle was used as a reference for illustration purposes. Now, as for the T-116, it has more moving parts and more friction than most weapons. That's all I meant." Stone replied, looking at Zang.

"I also hear you are the man when explosives are involved. So, sniper and demolitions, Part of the Marine Raider Regiment? Master Sargent Zang." added Stone with a slight smile.

Thomas chuckled as he motioned out of the quarters. He was happy that his three roommates were on duty at the time, so it had only been him in his quarters. "That is true about the t-116. I only take it apart and inspect it to see if there is any parts that need replaced and only clean it really after I have used it during training. I make sure that it is in peak operating condition at all times." They started to walk down the corridor in 'Marine country' as he spoke. "Yes, I'm part of the demolitions as well. You don't always require a sniper on every mission so I branched out and learned a second skill that could be used. I grew up in the north part of Washington and learned to hunt and track so I also unofficially can act as a scout or tracker when needed as well."


Looking in thought, Stone stared off for a moment. "Maybe tracking some two-legged critters." He mumbled to himself. Clearly speaking now. "Those are valuable skills. Not too much on tracking, got the demo training, but not a sniper officially. My expertise is in CQB. The rest is self-explanatory, primarily for Special Warfare Operators." He said in some detail.

"I'm not an expert in close quarter combat but i can hold my own if needed." Thomas said with a nod to Glenn. "My weapon of choice for that style are daggers that I keep on retractable wrist sheaths."

"That is a different approach to knife fighting," replied Stone with a nod. "Well, if you need more training, I am always around for training. Any training with the Marine detachment here would be good." He added with a smile. He took a sip of his coffee. "For your wrist knives, I find them restrictive personally," said Stone with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Thomas let out a chuckle. "The knives aren't fixed to my wrists. They are normal daggers in sheaths that are attached to my wrists so that a special motion will drop them into my hands discreetly. Then i can re-sheath them again with ease. It took me about a year and a half to become proficient with them then another year to become skilled enough with them to be usable in a fight." He explained.

Stone nodded in reply. "I like to put one of my larger knives in the small of my back, another on my tactical vest, and one in a boot or another area, like you, maybe on the forearm, it depends on the mission. It is once to see someone carrying blades other than a Klingon. I have been known to carry a Kukri Blade or two, even a short sword, now and then." he explained with a little detail.


Stone's com badge chirped. That made the two men pause.

=/\= Chief Stone here. =/\=

=/\= Mr. Stone, you are wanted in the Captain's ready room=/\=

=/\= Roger, on my way =/\=

OFF

 

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