Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- After months of learning the components of the M-16A4 service rifle, marching with it and a week of learning marksmanship fundamentals, recruits of Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, learned the full capabilities of their weapon at Edson Range, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Company L spent the day firing their weapons for prequalification Dec. 16, which included firing their weapons from four different firing positions and at targets at 200, 300 and 500 yards away. Recruits are given a practice run through in order to see which recruits need more coaching.
The recruits’ final day of shooting consists of final qualification, when they will earn either marksman, sharpshooter or expert riflemen. A score of 250-279 is marksman, 280-304 is sharpshooter and expert is 305-350.
For most recruits, the M-16A4 is the first weapon they have ever fired, however that doesn’t deter them for reaching the best possible ranking.
“I’m shooting a little inconsistent right now, but it’s also my first time shooting,” said Recruit Wells A. Scott, Platoon 3246. “I’m confident I’ll get better though, because I work hard at getting better at everything I do.”
Scott, who is on his second day of shooting, explained there are other reasons at work as to why he’s motivated and confident that his rifle skills will continue to get better.
“This is important to me because when I’m deployed I want to be able to protect the Marines who are around me,” said Scott, a Nampa, Idaho, native. “(Marksmanship) is one of the biggest parts of being a Marine. Marines are first to fight and need to be expert riflemen.”
During firing week, recruits are taught how to aim in on their target, how to breathe while shooting and how to make adjustments to the wind. However, knowing is only half the battle, and for many recruits, practice is key to cementing the knowledge.
“The hardest part for me has been to focus on my breathing,” said Recruit Alejandro Romero, Platoon 3246. “At first I keep thinking I’m going to run out of time, and then I remember what our instructors told us about breathing and slowing down.”
There are many reasons each recruit has a drive to fire their weapon accurately and efficiency. For some, it comes from a simple joy from being challenged with something difficult and new.
“My family never traveled. Now I’m in a new place, with people from all over, doing something I’ve never done before,” said Romero, a Lancaster, Calif., native. “This is fun, and the only thing I’m thinking about is getting better at this so I can contribute to my unit and be put to good use.”
In the Fleet Marine Force, enlisted Marines must requalify annually. Once they graduate, the recruits of Company L will have the opportunity to improve upon their marksmanship skills learned in recruit training.