thedrifter
01-20-06, 09:57 AM
January 20, 2006
Home on the range:
Recruits flourish in new shooting courses
by Pvt. Charlie Chavez
MCRD San Diego
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- A new system of rifle qualification set in place Oct. 1 has generated positive feedback from Marines and recruits who have shot the course.
The new system includes three tables and a fourth for infantrymen requiring classroom time, live-fire drills and corrective action on weapon stoppages.
"Instead of the old tap, rack, bang (weapon clearing technique) approach, they must clear the weapons properly for an alibi (a chance to fire again for score during qualification)," said Chief Warrant Officer Wesley A. Turner, Bravo Range Officer, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The most noticeable change to the course is the scoring system, according to Maj. Robert B. Richardson, commanding officer, Field Company, WFT Bn.
"The first thing they are going to notice on Table 1 is the 250-point (known distance) scoring system," he said.
Initial marksmanship qualification during boot camp is scored with 250 maximum points using numbered rings to determine each shot's individual score. Marines in the fleet, after boot camp, were scored with a maximum score of 65 points on a hit or miss basis.
The new scoring system for fleet Marines will go back to initial qualification rules with a score between 190 and 209 getting marksman qualification; 210 to 219 for sharpshooter and 220 or more for expert.
The stricter system now in place helps Marines hone combat effectiveness by holding a higher proficiency standard than the previous course of fire.
Ellie
Home on the range:
Recruits flourish in new shooting courses
by Pvt. Charlie Chavez
MCRD San Diego
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- A new system of rifle qualification set in place Oct. 1 has generated positive feedback from Marines and recruits who have shot the course.
The new system includes three tables and a fourth for infantrymen requiring classroom time, live-fire drills and corrective action on weapon stoppages.
"Instead of the old tap, rack, bang (weapon clearing technique) approach, they must clear the weapons properly for an alibi (a chance to fire again for score during qualification)," said Chief Warrant Officer Wesley A. Turner, Bravo Range Officer, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The most noticeable change to the course is the scoring system, according to Maj. Robert B. Richardson, commanding officer, Field Company, WFT Bn.
"The first thing they are going to notice on Table 1 is the 250-point (known distance) scoring system," he said.
Initial marksmanship qualification during boot camp is scored with 250 maximum points using numbered rings to determine each shot's individual score. Marines in the fleet, after boot camp, were scored with a maximum score of 65 points on a hit or miss basis.
The new scoring system for fleet Marines will go back to initial qualification rules with a score between 190 and 209 getting marksman qualification; 210 to 219 for sharpshooter and 220 or more for expert.
The stricter system now in place helps Marines hone combat effectiveness by holding a higher proficiency standard than the previous course of fire.
Ellie