Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Once recruits reach the second phase of training, they take on the challenge of becoming a rifleman at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Under constant supervision of Marines who specialize in marksmanship, recruits of Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, were taught the basic fundamentals of firing the M16-A4 Service Rifle during Grass Week. These Marines are better known as primary marksmanship instructors.
The marksmanship instructors teach recruits the fundamental techniques of shooting such as breathing control, stability and how to properly squeeze the trigger.
“The Corps turns Marines into riflemen because every Marine is a trained rifleman,” said Recruit Trinity L. Tippy, Platoon 3221. “Regardless of a Marine’s job, we all learn to be effective with our rifles.”
Once PMIs completed the classroom instruction, recruits moved to a semi-circular area to “snap in.” This time allowed them to practice the fundamentals they had just learned. The semi-circular area surrounds a white barrel with different size targets painted on it. The targets are different sizes simulating what they look like from distances of 200, 300 and 500 yards. Those are the exact distances recruits will use when firing.
Recruits spend several hours “snapping in,” which allows them to gain confidence in different shooting positions.
“We have to retain all of the knowledge we learned during grass week in order to be an effective shooter here on the range,” said Recruit Ulyses Lujano, Platoon 3221. “I’ve never fired a weapon before this, but the PMIs teach us trigger control, breathing techniques and a lot of other things that go together to fire an accurate shot.”
Once Grass Week is over, recruits move on to Firing Week when they apply the fundamental marksmanship principles they learned on a live fire range and qualify in order to move forward with training. Some recruits prepare for Firing Week physically and mentally by going the extra mile.
“I practiced the different firing positions every chance I got during grass week, so I can be comfortable firing the weapon in those positions on qualification day,” said 18-year-old Lujano.
During rifle qualification, recruits fired the M16-A4 service rifle from the 200, 300 and 500-yard lines utilizing four different shooting positions: standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. During the 300 yard rapid fire, recruits are required to go from the standing to prone position and fire 10 rounds in a time limit of 60 seconds.
Firing Week is the first time recruits are able to fire their weapons in recruit training. They are given several days to polish their skills before recording an official score.
Qualifying is not only important for recruits in order to continue with training as Marines are required to qualify annually to ensure they are combat-ready ensuring every Marine is required to be a basic rifleman.
Throughout Rifle Week, recruits plot all of their shots into a data book, which helps recruits keep track of where their shots impacted the target. This helps recruits make the appropriate adjustments for a more accurate shot.
Lessons learned during grass week and firing 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.