Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton --
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.
Recruits of Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit
Training Battalion, were taught the basic fundamentals of firing the M16-A4 Service
Rifle during Grass Week under the instruction of Marines known as primary
marksmanship instructors.
The marksmanship instructors teach
recruits the fundamental techniques such as breathing control, stability and
how to properly squeeze the trigger.
“Every Marine is rifleman,” said Recruit
David A. Busenbark. “It’s a basic standard every Marine needs to be proficient
in to protect each other and to protect our country.”
Once PMIs completed the classroom
instruction, recruits moved to a semi-circular area to begin snapping in,
allowing them to practice the fundamentals they had just learned. The area
surrounds a white barrel painted with different size targets. The targets simulate
what they look like from distances of 200, 300 and 500 yards, the exact
distances recruits will use when firing.
Recruits spend several hours snapping
in, which allows them to gain confidence in different shooting positions as
well as muscle memory and helps become comfortable in the different positions.
“The fundaments feel uncomfortable at
first, but after you’ve been in each position for long periods of time, it
starts to fill like second nature,” said 24-year-old Busenbark. “The all-around
training we receive for the range builds us as sound marksmen.”
Once Grass Week is over, recruits move
on to Firing Week where they apply the fundamental marksmanship principles they
learned on a live-fire range and qualify with their weapon with their weapon in
order to move forward with training.
“It starts and ends with the basics,”
said Recruit Shelby M. Jones. “The instructors break the fundaments down for us
and coach us through every step of shooting.”
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.
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, proving the saying that every Marine
is a rifleman.
Throughout Rifle Week, recruits plot all
of their shots into a data book, which depicts 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.