One Shot--Make It Count [Archive] - Marine Corps

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01-28-03, 08:07 PM

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DMs trained at Quantico, for example, are trained to use a fixed power optical sight while the anti-terror forces are trained to use a 3.5X-10X variable power scope.

The variable scope used by DMs in 4MEB(AT) is a Leupold Tactical VariXIII M-1 equipped with USMC Duplex, Mil Dot reticle pattern.

The scope has a 40 mm objective lens, a 1/2 minute of angle windage adjustments, 1 minute of angle elevation adjustments, as well as adjustments for focus and parallax.

“The reason we use the variable scope is for close-up shots, shots that need wider fields of view, and so forth,” he said.

DMs utilize “Alpha/Alpha/Eleven” 175-grain match ammunition. The 7.62 mm x 51 mm boat tail design has a muzzle velocity of 2,550 feet per second and a maximum capable range in excess of 1,000 yards.

“We effectively get up to 770 yards,” Bachour said. “But it’s capable of delivering fire up to 1,200 yards. We train our Marines mostly to shoot between 50 and 200 yards and then we also familiarize them with 300, 500, 700 and 1,000 yard shots.”

Instructional Blocks

Students begin by zeroing and familiarization shots across the complete range of engagement distances, seeking precision shot placements with sub-minute of angle accuracy—hitting three rounds within a 1-inch target.

Students are then introduced to the concept of a “cold bore shot.”

As the name implies, the “cold bore shot” is the initial shot fired by the DM team member while the DMR barrel is still cold.

Instructors note that this shot exercise is designed to replicate the real world situation in which the DM might be required to take a shot on a hostile target without having the opportunity to re-zero his weapon.

Expanding on this tactical scenario, class training notes, “A well trained DM is able to apply the correct adjustments on the DMR, with regard to weather conditions, wind compensation, angle of fire, distance estimation and round penetration, enabling him to effectively engage and instantly incapacitate the threat.”

From there, the training moves to what is known as the “color dot drill,” an exercise that combines speed and accuracy firing.

The drill exposes the marksmen to four sets of four-each, 2-inch circular color dots—a total of 16 dots. At a range of 100 yards, DMs are required to engage four of the 16 dots with two rounds per dot—a total of eight rounds—in a time limit of 12 seconds, repeating the exercise three times.

Color dot drills are followed by 100-yard “stress shoots.”

During these exercises, shooters start behind their weapons. A magazine with five rounds, along with ear protection, is located next to the weapon.

After strenuously exercising for at least four minutes, shooters receive the command to stop, prepare their weapon, and then must engage a 6-inch bull’s-eye with five rounds within one minute.

Next comes the “situational shoot.”

DMs, firing from elevated positions, are required to identify four hostile targets out of a total of 16, three-dimensional target options. In addition to correctly calculating distance and angle to the identified targets, DMs must then engage each of the hostile targets with two “instant incapacitation” shots within a set time limit.

Moving targets come next.

In the first part of this phase, DMs are confronted with targets moving from left to right and right to left at ranges of 50 and 100 yards. Shooters must engage the head of each target.

This is followed by the “200-yard stop and go.” From 200 yards, DMs must engage a 6-inch circle, on two occasions, when the moving target pauses for three seconds. Finally, DMs face the same circle on a 300-yard “bobber” target that appears in different parts of the sector for a total of four seconds before disappearing.

One of the final activities is called the “unknown distance shoot.” For this event, DM students set up their tactical positions and then draw a range card/field sketch of their sector of fire.

They are then given a number of targets where they must: identify; acquire; estimate range; read wind, light, and weather; and perform the necessary optics compensation.

Finally, students are required to engage each of the targets within a stated time limit.

The 20-day DM training program is intense but it is designed to impart DM team members with critical skills for the urban battlefield.

As new students hear it from their instructors, “If you only have one shot at an opportunity, make it count.”

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