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Marines begin new rifle course
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2005101413624
Story by Pfc. Kaitlyn M. Scarboro
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2005) -- Marines re-qualifying with the M-16 A2 service rifle now encounter a new course which started Oct. 1.
The changes made to the course are intended to provide Marines with more combat marksmanship training to better prepare them for the wars of today and tomorrow.
The most noticeable change to the course is the scoring system, according to Maj. Robert B. Richardson, company commander, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"The first thing they are going to notice is the 250-point (known distance) scoring system," he said.
Initial marksmanship qualification during boot camp is scored with maximum points of 250 using numbered rings to determine each shots individual score.
Marines in the fleet, after boot camp, were scored with a maximum score of 65 points on a hit or miss basis.
The new scoring system for fleet Marines will go back to initial qualification rules with a score between 190 and 209 getting marksman qualification; 210 to 219 for sharpshooter and 220 or more for expert.
The old system required a total of 25 hits out of 65 rounds, a 38 percent proficiency level. The new course requires 60 hits out of 80 rounds fired, a 75 percent proficiency level.
In addition to the new scoring system, Marines must now qualify on a modified combat-oriented course.
"Field firing has gone away and a new beast called Table 2 has taken its place," said Richardson.
Taking the last two days of the week-long qualification course, Table 2 includes three hours of classroom training and hours of practical application drills.
The table also includes different weapons carry techniques.
"(Marines) are not qualified when they complete the (known distance) course. They have to successfully complete the Table 2 to be qualified with the rifle," said Richardson.
The new course includes many new changes to rifle manual and positions. Newly incorporated is the speed kneeling position - dropping to both knees and quickly firing.
"You just collapse to your knees and shoot," said Richardson.
Taking into consideration combat environments, Marines are also being given many more options during their qualification rounds. Controlled carry of the M-16 A2 service rifle with a 3-point sling or a loop sling is now allowed. Marines are no longer required to carry weapons at port arms when exiting the firing line.
Simulated close combat drills with controlled pairs and hammered pairs - when two shot are fired without regaining sight picture - and reassessment drills are enhanced components in the course of fire.
Other changes to the course include clearing procedures for rounds lodged in the rifle and reloading procedures, including speed reloads and tactical reloads.
The new course also includes a Table 3, which is unit-required training in live-fire combat situations including unknown distance and night fire training.
Table 4 is a more advanced table with Marines shooting more than 500 rounds and requires more classroom training. Table 4 is an exclusive requirement for Marine infantrymen.
Marines begin new rifle course
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2005101413624
Story by Pfc. Kaitlyn M. Scarboro
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2005) -- Marines re-qualifying with the M-16 A2 service rifle now encounter a new course which started Oct. 1.
The changes made to the course are intended to provide Marines with more combat marksmanship training to better prepare them for the wars of today and tomorrow.
The most noticeable change to the course is the scoring system, according to Maj. Robert B. Richardson, company commander, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
"The first thing they are going to notice is the 250-point (known distance) scoring system," he said.
Initial marksmanship qualification during boot camp is scored with maximum points of 250 using numbered rings to determine each shots individual score.
Marines in the fleet, after boot camp, were scored with a maximum score of 65 points on a hit or miss basis.
The new scoring system for fleet Marines will go back to initial qualification rules with a score between 190 and 209 getting marksman qualification; 210 to 219 for sharpshooter and 220 or more for expert.
The old system required a total of 25 hits out of 65 rounds, a 38 percent proficiency level. The new course requires 60 hits out of 80 rounds fired, a 75 percent proficiency level.
In addition to the new scoring system, Marines must now qualify on a modified combat-oriented course.
"Field firing has gone away and a new beast called Table 2 has taken its place," said Richardson.
Taking the last two days of the week-long qualification course, Table 2 includes three hours of classroom training and hours of practical application drills.
The table also includes different weapons carry techniques.
"(Marines) are not qualified when they complete the (known distance) course. They have to successfully complete the Table 2 to be qualified with the rifle," said Richardson.
The new course includes many new changes to rifle manual and positions. Newly incorporated is the speed kneeling position - dropping to both knees and quickly firing.
"You just collapse to your knees and shoot," said Richardson.
Taking into consideration combat environments, Marines are also being given many more options during their qualification rounds. Controlled carry of the M-16 A2 service rifle with a 3-point sling or a loop sling is now allowed. Marines are no longer required to carry weapons at port arms when exiting the firing line.
Simulated close combat drills with controlled pairs and hammered pairs - when two shot are fired without regaining sight picture - and reassessment drills are enhanced components in the course of fire.
Other changes to the course include clearing procedures for rounds lodged in the rifle and reloading procedures, including speed reloads and tactical reloads.
The new course also includes a Table 3, which is unit-required training in live-fire combat situations including unknown distance and night fire training.
Table 4 is a more advanced table with Marines shooting more than 500 rounds and requires more classroom training. Table 4 is an exclusive requirement for Marine infantrymen.
