San Diego -- When recruits arrive at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, they begin their second phase of recruit training. Their purpose is to learn the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and how to properly fire the M16-A4 service rifle.
Recruits are taught the basics during the first week known as Grass Week and are under constant supervision of Marines who specialize in marksmanship, better known as primary marksmanship instructors.
PMIs teach recruits fundamental aspects of shooting such as breathing control, stability and how to properly squeeze the trigger.
“Recruits are taught by PMI’s the basic fundamentals of marksmanship such as natural point of aim, slow-steady squeeze of the trigger and the placement of the rifle on their shoulder pocket during Grass Week,” said Sgt. Michael A. Carroll, drill instructor, Platoon 1049, Co. C, 1st RTBn. “If recruits apply those fundamentals shot after shot, there is no way that they won’t hit the target. It’s all about the basics.”
Once PMIs complete the classroom instructions, recruits receive the command “attack the circle” and move to a semi-circular area to “snap in.” This time allows them to practice the fundamentals they discussed. The semi-circular area surrounds a white drum with different size targets painted on it. The targets are of different size to simulate what they look like at distances of 200, 300 and 500 yards, the exact distances recruits will be shooting from.
Recruits spend several hours “snapping in” which allows them to gain confidence in different shooting positions.
“This week is a test of their discipline. It takes a lot of discipline to stay in those different positions. I see a lot of them putting out through the pain,” said Carroll. “You can’t just give recruits a rifle, you have to teach them the fundamentals and then let them shoot the rifle.”
Once Grass Week is over, recruits move on to Firing Week to apply the fundamental marksmanship principles they learned and to qualify in order to move forward with training. Some recruits prepare for Firing Week physically and mentally by going the extra mile.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time doing legs stretches and practicing the sitting position. I’m not flexible so repetition was key,” said Recruit Tyon L. Downing, Plt. 1049, Co. C, 1st RTBn.
The smell of gunpowder fills the morning air during the sixth week of recruit training. Brass flies in every direction coming out of rifles’ chambers.
Firing Week, the first time recruits are able to fire their weapons in recruit training, is also a week long. They are given several days to hone their skills before qualifying for an official score.
Although qualifying is important for recruits in order to continue with training, every Marine is required to qualify annually to ensure they are combat-ready since every Marine is a basic rifleman.
“A Marine is a rifleman first. The key is patience, if you don’t take the time to take well aimed shots you won’t be a good shooter,” said Downing.
To others, qualifying at the range becomes somewhat of a pregame ritual that has to be performed the exact same way every time in order to be mentally prepared, according to Sgt. Mark A. Peters, senior drill instructor, Plt. 3229, Co. K, 3rd RTBn.
“It’s about consistency throughout the week. Everything needs to be consistent from what the recruits eat to what they wear in order to boost their confidence,” said Peters. “It’s about the fundamentals and mechanics, but it’s mostly about getting them in the right mindset. Consistency gets you in the right mindset.”
Lessons learned during the fifth and sixth week of recruit training are used throughout a Marine’s career. For that reason, it is important for recruits to retain all the knowledge PMIs teach. With the instruction and coaching, recruits are set up for success to move forward in becoming United States Marines.
“This is the first test of a recruit visualizing what we do as Marines,” said Peters. “This is their first testament of being a Marine and a rifleman.”