MSC Small Arms (Initial and Sustainment)

This class is for the following weapons:

  • Sig Sauer M18 Pistol
  • Colt M4-AR15 Rifle
  • Mossberg 500 Shotgun

NOTE 1: Open to members and applicants eligible for employment through AMO (within 1 year) on MSC or MARAD contracted vessels that have received the M18 and M4 onboard and the company is specifically requesting this training to enable watchstanding with these weapons. STCW Endorsement required. Required annually.

NOTE 2: MSC Security Watchstander Advanced and Small Arms Training at STAR Center

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) Headquarters Mission Assurance Newsletter for Q4 2025 was issued on October 2, 2025. Page 4 of the newsletter contains critical information for AMO members in need of Small Arms and Security Watchstander Advanced (SWS-A) training. The information published is as follows:

SWS-A Requirement

* OPNAV 5530 and SECNAV 5500 require all personnel who will be armed in the performance of their duties to complete annual non-lethal weapons training.

– For MSC, this training is conducted during SWS-A, typically on day 5 of the Small Arms course.

Certificates for weapons qualifications will no longer be issued without completion of SWS-A.

* To comply with higher headquarters guidance, SWS-A is required for ALL personnel who will be armed, including Masters/Captains and others issued firearms for self-defense only. * Important: Without a current SWS-A qualification, weapons qualifications are considered null and void. Given this announcement, effective immediately, STAR Center will only assign seats in Small Arms classes with enrollment in that week’s SWS-A class. Small Arms certificates will not be issued until SWS-A is completed. For CONMARs, the Security Watchstander BASIC (SWS-B) course is normally required only once in your career, although some contracts may have a different periodicity. OPCOs should refer to the specific contract to be sure of their requirement. SWS-B training can only be met in an approved half-day course, which STAR Center offers. Any questions regarding MSC Small Arms and SWS courses should be directed to Patrick Jones, Manager, Small Arms Training, at 800-942-3220 Ext. 7270 or via e-mail. STAR Center’s course schedule can be accessed online. Enrollment questions or applications should be directed to Student Services at 1-800-942-3220 Ext. 201 or via e-mail.

NOTE 3:The information below applies to this course. Waivers will be signed on the first day of class.

  1. Review course handout and information here
  2. Review course waiver, to be signed on first day of class, here
  3. Review Lautenberg Amendment, to be signed on first day of class, here
  4. Review SigSauer M18 Pistol Manual, here
  5. Review AR-15 (Civilan M4 equivalent) Colt Rifle Manual, here
  6. Review Mossberg M500 Series Shotgun Manual, here