Photo Information

Lance Cpl. Keven Saint Louis, a marksmanship student at the Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course, loads rounds into a magazine during the pre-qualification course of fire at the Marksmanship Training Unit, Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Va., Oct. 24, 2014. This particular CMC course was staffed entirely by Reserve Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve Shooting Team, who are the top competitive shooters in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Photo by Cpl. Tiffany Edwards

Center Mass: Reserve Marines aim for excellence at Combat Marksmanship Coaches’ Course

28 Oct 2014 | Cpl. Tiffany Edwards The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

In the middle of the woods of northern Virginia, surrounded by colorful fall foliage and crisp October air, Reserve Marines from across the nation focused not on their scenic surroundings, but their sight picture.

The fiscal year 2015 Combat Marksmanship Reserve Coaches Course consisted of 92 Marines, and was held held at the Marine Forces Reserve Marksmanship Training Unit at Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Virginia, from Oct. 13-26, 2014. 

The course primarily educates Marines in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and the Individual Ready Reserve in marksmanship training techniques as well as regulations for running safe and efficient weapons qualification ranges. Marines then take their new knowledge back to their units and keep the Marine Corps Reserve ready and qualified in rifle and pistol marksmanship.

“Marksmanship is the backbone of the Marine Corps, and as a coach, you get to directly impact every Marine that you coach out there on the firing line,” said Gunnery Sgt. Kevin S. Worrell, chief instructor for the MARFORRES MTU. “Without coaches, Marines would not understand certain weapons systems, safety rules and the fundamentals of marksmanship, which is what our Corps is all about.”

The Reserve-oriented CMC course differs significantly from its active-duty equivalent. While an active-duty course will average an eight-to-10 hour class day, with the course stretching over three weeks, the Reserve course averages a 12-to-14 hour class day, with only one scheduled day off over a two-week period. This condenses three weeks of in-class instruction and practical application within a shorter time span. Reserve Marines are also required to bring their own protective gear, such as bulletproof vests and Kevlar helmets issued from their parent units, instead of being issued gear from the MTU when they arrive at the course. 

“For Reserve Marines, the course counts as a two-week annual training evolution,” Worrell said. “Throughout the Marine Corps Reserve, Marines go out to ranges all around the country. They could be on Army bases, civilian ranges, or any areas available, and they’ll have to run rifle marksmanship tables one through four, or the new combat pistol program.”

Worrell added that because Reserve ranges often do not have permanent personnel that keep ranges maintained, stocked and staffed, the responsibility for range preparation falls on coaches and combat marksmanship trainers.

Master Sgt. Julia Carlson, an MTU instructor and internationally renowned competitive shooter with the MARFORRES MTU, said the course is made possible every year by assistance from the active-duty MTU personnel.

“We are a Reserve-run school, and we operate with the Reserve Marines’ interests in mind,” Carlson said. “As far as the course’s conduct and instruction are concerned, that is handled entirely by Reserve Marines. But it’s important to note that this is not something we do by ourselves. We have help from Weapons Training Bn, and the Quantico Reserve Support Unit.”

Sgt. Steven Pew, a student at the CMC course, said that despite the challenges faced during training, such as heavy rain and cold temperatures, he has gained sufficient knowledge to help train his unit in Germany.

“This is the fight that we take to the enemy,” Pew said. “There’s nothing else we do in the Marine Corps but put rounds on target, because that is how we eliminate the threat. The importance of marksmanship is emphasized here, to take every Marine and make them the best rifleman possible, to eliminate the enemy.”

During the final days of the course, the class was visited by Maj. Gen. James S. Hartsell, Mobilization Assistant to Commander, United States Pacific Command, and the only Marine Corps general officer who is a distinguished pistol shooter. This designation is the highest individual award authorized by the U.S. government for excellence in marksmanship competitions.

“The reason your role as a Reserve Marine marksmanship coach is so important, is because you will help keep Marines alive the next time they have to shoot at an adversary,” Hartsell said. “These basic marksmanship principles are the key to keeping you and I alive, and keeping our nation respected and feared around the world.”

The opportunity to become a coach or trainer is offered to Reserve Marines once a year at the Quantico MTU. Marines interested in the CMC and CMT courses offered by the Reserve MTU can visit the website for Marine Corps Order 3574.2 or contact the MFR G-3 at (504) 697-7330.