YARVORIV TRAINING AREA, Ukraine -- "Ready on the right, ready on the left, the firing line is now ready, commence firing once your target appears."
This saying is familiar to every Marine, since it is repeated innumerable times during their trips to the rifle and pistol ranges.
However, for a contingent of Reserve Marines deployed to the former Soviet republic of the Ukraine, during Exercise Cooperative Adventure Exchange '02, their day at the range was slightly different.
"Okay, you shoot now," was the command given in a heavy Eastern European accent by the Hungarian range safety officer.
These Marines integrated in the Partnership for Peace exercise comprised of 19 nations simulating a United Nations mandated, coalition peace support operation from 2-17 Oct.
The Partnership initiatives began in 1994 and are designed to foster security relationships with potential non-NATO nations, primarily from former Warsaw Pact countries.
Currently, there are 26 Partnership countries.
Marines where given the opportunity to go a Ukrainian rifle range and fire weapons that were designed to be used against them in the days of the former Soviet Union.
AK-63D assault rifles, a variant of the AK-47, and PKM machineguns were provided by a Hungarian long-range reconnaissance company.
The weapons familiarization class informed Marines, in broken English, that the Hungarians use the PKM in both light and medium machinegun roles. Their AK-63Ds and PKMs use a 7.62 caliber bullet vice the standard 5.56 round that Marines utilize.
"This weapons have much power and shoot the bigger bullets, yes. You must hold tight the weapon, yes, and aim good the weapon, yes, because it are fully auto shooting," explained the instructor at the mandatory safety brief given before firing would commence.
The Marines endured frigid temperatures and occasionally drizzling rain in order to try their hands on these weapons made of wood and steel.
"I have always wanted to fire the AK-47 on full auto because you don?t get the chance everyday to do something like this," said SSgt. Danny Maldonado, 35, training chief, 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, from El Paso, Texas.
The range was one kilometer long and had a series of electronic "pop-up" targets designed to lower and then raise themselves after being hit. This advanced system gives the shooter real-time feedback on how they are shooting without the need of anyone to raise and lower targets.
Reactions varied from shooter to shooter.
"The PKM is a very reliable weapon," said Sgt. Warren Pennington, 4th Med. Bn. "But it is not as accurate as the M16 because the sights are not very good," said the Long Beach, Calif., native.
"It was cool to shoot a foreign weapon, not many people can say they have ever done that," said Lance Cpl. Matthew P. Renner, 4th Med. Bn.
Further down the range Polish, Moldavian, German, Italian and Ukrainian soldiers were all firing their weapons. Within this cacophony, a trained ear could distinguish the numerous weapons by their distinctive sounds and rates of fire. The display of different camouflage uniforms worn by these soldiers bewildered some of the Marines.
"It is very hard to tell the countries apart when they wear their cammies," said Lance Cpl. Nathan A. Austin, 4th Med. Bn. "You have to look at the country patch they where on their sleeve," said the University California San Diego student.
Another unusual aspect of the Marines day on the range was witnessing the cleaning method used on the weapons. The Hungarians took their weapons apart and started wiping them with dirt in order to clean the built up gunpowder residue off their parts.
"When we saw them cleaning their weapons in the dirt, the only thing I could think was, 'What would my drill instructor think?'," said Lance Cpl. Jennifer M. Parr, 4th Med. Bn. Oceanside, Calif., resident.
Despite the bone chilling cold Marines enjoyed the day and the chance to familiarize themselves with these foreign weapons.
"It was an interesting, good time. It was well worth it," said Naval Reserve Hospital Man 1st Class Stephen Hawkins, lead petty officer, 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, a native of Gulf Shore, Ala.