SAN DIEGO --
Following the Battle of
Belleau Wood, General John J. Pershing said he believed the deadliest weapon in
the world is a Marine and his rifle. For that belief to stay true, recruits’
aspiring to be a part of the world’s finest fighting force, begin weapons familiarization
early in training.
After four weeks of introduction to the weapon, recruits
with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, began learning the
fundamentals of marksmanship during Grass Week at Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 2.
The purpose of grass week is to familiarize the recruits
with their issued M16A4 Service Rifle and also teach them the firing techniques
they will utilize the following week when they conduct their first live fire
qualification.
“A majority of these recruits have never shot a weapon
before,” said Sgt. Antonio Cruz, drill instructor, Charlie Company. “We use
this week to get them comfortable with the weapon and also introduce them to
the course of fire as well as the range setting.”
Recruits are given weapons
during the first week of training. The drill instructors spend time teaching
them how to carry it, assemble and dissemble it for cleaning and maintenance
purposes as well as instilling the four weapons safety rules.
“I think a key asset to making these recruits accurate
and effective riflemen is ensuring they know the ins and outs of the weapon and
also the importance of it,” said Cruz.
Each platoon within the company was assigned a primary
marksmanship instructor and given instruction on proper usage and operation of
the weapon before the recruits qualify at Edson Range the following week.
Throughout Grass Week, PMIs
teach recruits trigger control, sight picture, breathing control, sight
alignment and natural point of aim. These basic fundamentals pave the way for
recruits to become proficient and leave the range as either marksmen,
sharpshooters or experts.
The platoons spend much of their day
conducting practical application, which consists of dry firing with weapon and
getting comfortable with the four shooting positions: prone, sitting, kneeling
and standing.
This practical application is called
snapping in. During this time, the recruits sight in on barrels painted with
targets that simulate what they will see at each of the three firing point yard
lines.
“Getting comfortable in the sitting
positions was the most difficult part of Grass Week for me,” said Recruit Alex
J. Aberle, Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. “It’s difficult to
get your body to get into the perfect position to stabilize the weapon.”
Many of these positions can be
uncomfortable, so the recruits have five training days to let their bodies become
used to them. Snapping in develops muscle memory and confidence and helps the
shooter relax while firing. A solid firing position helps stabilize the weapon for
a more accurate shot.
Lastly, like any equipment, there is
a possibility that a weapon could malfunction while firing. The PMIs also
taught recruits how to conduct remedial action, which is the method used to get
the rifle to fire properly.
After recruits qualify on the range,
they will have a basic understanding of firing a weapon but will advance their
knowledge and skill throughout their Marine Corps careers.
“This week is important for these
recruits,” said Cruz. “What they learn here is what they will be able to build
off for the rest of their careers.”