Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- ‘Every Marine a rifleman,’ is a quote that becomes something recruits live by while attending recruit training, and by the time they graduate, they understand the meaning of that philosophy. Regardless of military occupational specialty, every Marine must be competent with the weapon.
The importance of the weapon is stressed from Training Day 1, and the recruits of Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, spent the week learning the fundamentals of Marine Corps marksmanship during Grass Week at Edson Range, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 9.
The preparation and work during grass week ensures recruits are set to successfully apply all the fundamentals they learn the following week when they conduct the live-fire qualification.
“It’s more of an introduction to using their rifles,” said Sgt. Joseph O. Sanchez, drill instructor, Echo Company. “They learn more about safety handling for the weapon system as well, which is what they’ve been learning since Phase 1.”
Primary marksmanship instructors, Marines with specialized training in weapons instruction, are there to teach the recruits about the different fundamentals required to qualify with the rifle. Topics taught include breathing control, trigger control and proper grips, to name a few. Before conducting the live fire with their rifles for the first time, recruits must first learn the different firing positions used at each stage of fire.
It is during these classes when recruits learned how to properly use the standing, kneeling, sitting and prone firing positions. Rifle qualification is not something that ends at recruit training, but instead is part of the Marines’ annual training, so it is important the foundation is built correctly now.
Grass week is the time for recruits to develop muscle memory in the various firing positions. Many times, the positions can feel uncomfortable or unnatural to shooters, so the more time they spend in the positions, the more successful they are while firing. If the recruits needed any assistance settling into stable firing positions, the PMIs are there to help them become more comfortable and confident in themselves and their weapons while firing.
For many of the recruits, firing the weapon is new and snapping in is the first time they are able to apply the fundamentals of marksmanship. During snapping in, the recruits sight in on a barrel with painted targets. The painted targets simulate what the recruits saw from the 200, 300 and 500-yard line. Snapping in is a good drill for the recruits to begin their training, especially for the ones who had no idea how to handle their weapon or use it properly.
“Grass week is an imperative part of training for the recruits because it gives them a foundation to build on,” said Sanchez, a native of Hollister, Calif. “The instructors want the recruits to be as successful as they can be while firing. They are all striving to reach expert, which is the highest award to reach.”
Whether it be helping each other during breaks between classes or when they get back to the squad bay, the recruits learned to work together to try and master the firing positions.
“Everything is so new to me, but that’s what makes it my favorite part of Grass Week,” said Recruit Benjamin A. Flores, Echo Company. “I like learning the different positions that we’re going to be firing in next week.”
Without Grass Week, recruits wouldn’t have the proper preparation to be successful during firing week.
“I think the best part is finally being able to shoot next week,” Recruit Reuben T. Ofoia, Echo Company. “It’ll be the first time shooting for me, too.”