SAN DIEGO -- In their second phase of training, recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego take an hour drive north to spend two weeks at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
There, the fundamentals of basic marksmanship are taught, and the M16-A4 Service Rifle that recruits were issued in the beginning of training finally serves a greater purpose.
Recruits of Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, spent a week learning how to properly fire the rifle in order to qualify during Grass Week on Edson Range beginning April 13.
Learning to fire the weapon is a graduation requirement, and recruits must learn basic marksmanship skills and qualify through the same course of fire that Marines conduct annually.
“The purpose of Grass Week is to instill the basic fundaments of shooting in the recruits,” said Sgt. Jon E. Austin, drill instructor. “Some of them think they know how to fire a weapon properly, but this week is to strip them of their bad habits and teach them the Marine Corps’ way.”
Grass Week consists of marksmanship classes that teach recruits rifle safety rules, how to hold the weapon and other fundamentals, explained Austin, a 28-year-old Indianapolis native.
“The first thing we drill in their head from day one is safety,” said Austin. “Instead of them just repeating the rules back to me, I explain every aspect of the rule and why it’s important.”
According to Austin, once the recruits become familiar with the fundamentals, they are expected to apply them when they are snapping in and at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer.
Snapping in allows recruits to build muscle memory in each of the four shooting positions, and begin to apply what they’ve learned. White drums with targets painted on them simulate the actual targets that recruits will see at various firing lines.
During this time, instructors correct recruits on their positions and give them tips on how they can be more comfortable.
“Making the positions comfortable was probably the most difficult thing for me,” said Recruit Tanner R. Logan. “At first it didn’t feel right, but as I snapped in more it became a little better.”
Once the recruits have a basic understanding of what they will be expected to do, they will move to the ISMT where they’re able to practice the process of shot delivery.
The ISMT is simulated course of fire that allows recruits to fire from the different yard lines, shoot in the different positions and become familiar with the firing commands.
“I feel like the ISMT will help me because I can see where my shot will actually be hitting as opposed to just sighting in and pulling the trigger,” said Logan, a native of Panpa, Texas.
The following week, the recruits of Charlie Company will attack targets at the live fire range. This is where they’ll be able to make use of what they’ve learned and qualify for their marksmanship badges.
“I think I’ll be ready to get on the range and fire,” said Logan. “We have already learned so much in the last two days, I think I will be more than ready.”