Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Recruits of Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, learned rifle fundamentals during Grass Week at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 15.
The purpose of Grass Week is to teach recruits the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and learn the functions of the rifle such as how to load, unload and fire the M16-A4 service rifle.
“Every Marine is trained as a basic rifleman. Knowing the proper rifle fundamentals is essential to be combat efficient,” said Cpl. Emanuel Roque, primary marksman instructor, Weapons and Field Training Battalion. “Our mission is to continue sending the Marine Corps a better product of qualified rifleman.”
Each platoon within the company was assigned a PMI during the fifth week of training, who give classes on proper usage and operation of the weapon before recruits qualify at Edson Range.
Throughout Grass Week, PMIs teach recruits trigger control, sight picture, breathing control, sight alignment and natural point of aim. These were the basic fundamentals that PMIs taught to turn Company M recruits into marksman shooters.
Each platoon had an outdoor classroom and area to practice what they learned. There were four primary positions recruits would shoot in: standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. The instructors gave recruits “snap-in-time” so they could practice the different position and fundamentals they were taught. During “snap-in-time,” recruits aimed in at barrels with targets painted on them simulating the targets at different yard lines.
“There is a lot to learn to be a well-rounded shooter, such as breathing and trigger control,” said Recruit Dane O. Melder, Platoon 3271. “The PMIs properly train us and make us ready for firing week. I feel confident.”
Like any machine, there is the possibly that a weapon could malfunction while at the range. To correct those issues, PMIs taught recruits remedial action, which is the method used to get the rifle firing properly.
“It’s critical we learn these skills thoroughly now so we can apply them on the range,” said Melder, an 18-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, native.
With the basic marksmanship fundamentals in hand, recruits of Company M will move on to Firing Week where they will put what they learned to use and qualify with the M16-A4 service rifle.