The rundown of the weapon served multiple purposes.
1. It served as a distraction and a change of subject.
2. It was necessary. Nobody (let alone a Marine) worth their salt would just give a weapon to a potentially inexperienced individual without making sure they went over the fundamentals first and demonstrated proper handling of said weapon. That would be for both Hicks' safety and the safety of his fellow marines.
3. It was another gun in the fight. If it was me, I'd have run everyone through it.
It's not a man vs woman thing. I've taught full grown men how to shoot, and I didn't trust any of them with so much as a ham sandwich, some of them I wouldn't trust with a coconut. Just as the law assumes you're innocent until proven guilty, I assume everyone is a dumbass around a gun until I decide otherwise. If you've ever been swept by an inexperienced shooter, you know what I mean.
I don't blame Hicks for trying to change the subject, and ensuring that the advisor is at least familiar with a deadly weapon, before he turns them loose with it. He has a duty to protect the lives of everyone there, including from themselves and each other.
