thedrifter
04-07-09, 07:02 AM
Eastern Division Match goes off with a bang
4/6/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meghan J. Canlas , II MEF
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marine Corps Installations -East Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, was the guest of honor at an awards ceremony concluding the Eastern Division Match 2009, April 3.
One hundred-twenty eight Marines and sailors from 15 units on the Eastern Seaboard competed in the match, here, March 16- April 3. The competitors shot at 12 inch and 20.5 inch center-circle targets from distances consisting of 200, 300 and 500 yards in the sitting, standing and prone positions.
The Eastern Division Match is one of four matches that make up the Competition-in-Arms Program. The Far East Division Match in Okinawa, Japan, the Pacific Division Match in Hawaii and the Western Division Match in San Diego, Calif. comprise the rest of the program.
The competition’s primary function is to enhance the marksmanship proficiency of the Marine Corps, said Chief Warrant Officer James R. Fraley, Commandant of the Marine Corps’ representative for the Eastern Division Match.
“The purpose of the Competition-in-Arms program is to bring Marines together to exchange ideas on marksmanship, learn from each other, spend time practicing those skills they’re learning…and take the information they’ve learned and take it back to enhance their units marksmanship program.”
During the ceremony, Jensen explained that because of their marksmanship skills and accuracy with a rifle Marines are kept in high regard.
“The reason why Marines are so feared on the battlefield is because they are able to put aimed fire on the enemy,” he explained. “One shot, one kill. We are Ruthless on the battlefield.”
Fourteen British Royal Marines traveled across the pond to represent their country during the competition. The Royal Marines have formed a long-lasting relationship with the United States Marine Corps Shooting Team and have participated in the competition since 1990.
Cpl. Jim R. Bloom, platoon weapon instructor, British Royal Marine, won the 2nd of two gold medals in the rifle match and 1st of 6 bronze medals in the pistol match that were awarded during the competition.
This was the second time Bloom competed in the Eastern Division Match, who also holds the British Queen’s Medal.
Bloom said some of the challenges the Royal Marines overcame during the competition were timing differences, new weapon systems and sights and a different course of fire.
“Our shoot is combat oriented, there are no fundamentals,” he explained. “We use an optic; very rarely do we use an iron sight.”
In 1992, the Royal Marines Bowl was presented by the Commandant General of the British Royal Marines to the United States Marine Corps, and is awarded to the highest scoring rifle competitor in the Inter-Corps Team Competition.
The Inter-Corps Cup is awarded to the highest scoring team in the Inter-Corps Team Competition; this year the United States Marine Corps Shooting Team won the Cup.
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s rifle and pistol teams brought home the Elliott and Edson Trophies for large post or station shooting teams.
Gunnery Sgt. James D. Otto and Sgt. Geoffrey Furgason from the Marine Corps Shooting team won the individual rifle and pistol competitions respectively and were awarded the Secretary of the Navy Rifle, a Remington 40X.
The top ten percent of non-distinguished rifle and pistol competitors won shooting badges and points towards becoming distinguished, while the overall top 10 percent of shooters have a chance to compete at the Marine Corps Championships held, here, April through May.
Ellie
4/6/2009 By Lance Cpl. Meghan J. Canlas , II MEF
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — Marine Corps Installations -East Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, was the guest of honor at an awards ceremony concluding the Eastern Division Match 2009, April 3.
One hundred-twenty eight Marines and sailors from 15 units on the Eastern Seaboard competed in the match, here, March 16- April 3. The competitors shot at 12 inch and 20.5 inch center-circle targets from distances consisting of 200, 300 and 500 yards in the sitting, standing and prone positions.
The Eastern Division Match is one of four matches that make up the Competition-in-Arms Program. The Far East Division Match in Okinawa, Japan, the Pacific Division Match in Hawaii and the Western Division Match in San Diego, Calif. comprise the rest of the program.
The competition’s primary function is to enhance the marksmanship proficiency of the Marine Corps, said Chief Warrant Officer James R. Fraley, Commandant of the Marine Corps’ representative for the Eastern Division Match.
“The purpose of the Competition-in-Arms program is to bring Marines together to exchange ideas on marksmanship, learn from each other, spend time practicing those skills they’re learning…and take the information they’ve learned and take it back to enhance their units marksmanship program.”
During the ceremony, Jensen explained that because of their marksmanship skills and accuracy with a rifle Marines are kept in high regard.
“The reason why Marines are so feared on the battlefield is because they are able to put aimed fire on the enemy,” he explained. “One shot, one kill. We are Ruthless on the battlefield.”
Fourteen British Royal Marines traveled across the pond to represent their country during the competition. The Royal Marines have formed a long-lasting relationship with the United States Marine Corps Shooting Team and have participated in the competition since 1990.
Cpl. Jim R. Bloom, platoon weapon instructor, British Royal Marine, won the 2nd of two gold medals in the rifle match and 1st of 6 bronze medals in the pistol match that were awarded during the competition.
This was the second time Bloom competed in the Eastern Division Match, who also holds the British Queen’s Medal.
Bloom said some of the challenges the Royal Marines overcame during the competition were timing differences, new weapon systems and sights and a different course of fire.
“Our shoot is combat oriented, there are no fundamentals,” he explained. “We use an optic; very rarely do we use an iron sight.”
In 1992, the Royal Marines Bowl was presented by the Commandant General of the British Royal Marines to the United States Marine Corps, and is awarded to the highest scoring rifle competitor in the Inter-Corps Team Competition.
The Inter-Corps Cup is awarded to the highest scoring team in the Inter-Corps Team Competition; this year the United States Marine Corps Shooting Team won the Cup.
The Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island’s rifle and pistol teams brought home the Elliott and Edson Trophies for large post or station shooting teams.
Gunnery Sgt. James D. Otto and Sgt. Geoffrey Furgason from the Marine Corps Shooting team won the individual rifle and pistol competitions respectively and were awarded the Secretary of the Navy Rifle, a Remington 40X.
The top ten percent of non-distinguished rifle and pistol competitors won shooting badges and points towards becoming distinguished, while the overall top 10 percent of shooters have a chance to compete at the Marine Corps Championships held, here, April through May.
Ellie