R 092200Z JAN 19
MARADMIN 016/19
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CDI//
SUBJ/COMPETITION-IN-ARMS PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2019//
REF/A/DOC/CMC/5 SEP 15//
REF/B/DOC/CMC/4 SEP 14//
NARR/REFERENCE A IS MCO 3591.2K, SMALL ARMS MARKSMANSHIP COMPETITION.  REFERENCE B IS MCO 3574.2L, MARINE CORPS COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAMS.//
POC/MADDOX J.C./CAPT/OIC USMC SHOOTING TEAM/TEL: DSN 278-5539/5131/COMM: (703) 784-5539/5131/5450/5131//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To announce the Competition-In-Arms Program (CIAP) for FY 2019.
2.  Background.  Since 1901, the CIAP has provided the Marine Corps with the skilled and experienced marksmen necessary to support a productive marksmanship training program and success in battle.  The primary objective of the program is to stimulate interest and desire for self-improvement in marksmanship and to enhance proficiency within the Marine Corps in the use of individual small arms by refining precision marksmanship skills and combat marksmanship skills through advanced marksmanship training and competition.  Division Matches, first held in 1910, and Combat Matches, first held at all four regional sites in 2015, have provided Marines with a venue to train and hone valuable marksmanship skill sets.  These matches have now been combined into a single marksmanship competition designed to provide Marines with comprehensive marksmanship training through competition.  Each Marine attending the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions will complete their annual rifle and annual pistol training in addition to receiving advanced marksmanship training.
3.  Information.  Quotas of participants for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions are assigned to ensure the maintenance of a population base of skilled marksmen within individual commands and the Marine Corps.  Participation requirements are found in reference (a) enclosure (1) chapter (1).
4.  Participating units may send individuals or entire teams to the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition.  In order to compete for the team trophies, units will enter teams comprised of a minimum of one firing officer (not waiverable), one sergeant or below who has never shot the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions, Division Matches, or Combat Matches before (known as a tyro), and two Marines of any rank, at least one of which must be enlisted.  Basic competitor requirements are contained in reference (a).  Participants will also fulfill their annual rifle and pistol qualification training requirements.  Marines who participate in the 2019 Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions will receive the following two-week training package:
4.a.  Week one:  classroom instruction, dry fire, establishing zeroes, live-fire training to develop advanced shooting positions, enhanced individual marksmanship practice, and individual competition.
4.b.  Week two:  instruction on advanced pistol and rifle positions, firing while moving, dynamic target engagement, individual competition with rifle and pistol, team competition, Annual Rifle Qualification, Annual Pistol Qualification and awards ceremony.
5.  Marines should report during the morning of the first day of the specified training period, found in paragraph 6.a.1, in order to allow time to draw necessary equipment and perform required administrative procedures before the start of the training, instruction and competition.
6.  Program schedule
6.a.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition weapons are the M16A4/M4 with Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), and the M9 service pistol.  The CIAP training evolution will consist of 10 total training days.
6.a.1.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition - Far East program.  Host commander:  Commanding General Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – Far East: Conducted 30 November to 14 December 2018.
6.a.2.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – Pacific program.  Host commander:  Commanding Officer (CO) Marine Corps Base Hawaii.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – Pacific:  4 January - 18 January 2019.
6.a.3.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition - West program.  Host Commander:  Commanding General Marine Corps Base 29 Palms.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West:  01 - 15 February 2019.
6.a.4.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – East program.  Host Commander:  Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico. Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – East: 15 March - 29 March 2019.
6.b.  Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition host site responsibilities:
6.b.1.  Host site will train all range personnel in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition course of fire, range commands, and rules and regulations of the match as found in reference (a) and published through letters of instruction (LOI).
6.b.2.  Host site will bear the financial cost for all required targetry, supplies, shot spotters, golf tees, scorecards, and any other material requirement and Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) costs (with the exception of Marine Corps Shooting Team personnel) to support the conduct of the match.  The Marksmanship Program Management Section One target, NSN 6920-01-625-6748, will be the primary paper target used during week two, however, host sites may use any approved paper target from Three Gun Nation, International Practical Shooting Confederation, International Defensive Pistol Association, United States Practical Shooting Association, or similarly accredited sport shooting organization.  Steel targets are authorized for use.
6.b.3.  Host site is responsible for the engraving of all trophies awarded.
6.b.4.  Host site is responsible for publishing an appropriate LOI and ensuring distribution to all tenant commands eligible to compete in the respective match.
6.b.5.  Host site will publish a paper match bulletin capturing complete results of the match, specifically identifying the rifle/pistol individual winners, the rifle/pistol high tyros, all Marines who earn distinguished credit points, all Marines who received the designation of Distinguished Marksman during the match, and all team results.  Match bulletins will be provided in a quantity sufficient to allow all competitors to receive a copy with at least two copies provided to the Marine Corps Shooting Team for appropriate historical filing.
6.b.6.  Host site will ensure personnel are trained in the use of PractiScore, which will be the primary online scoring system used during training week two.
6.c.  The Marine Corps Championship Match program will consist of three weeks of instruction and live-fire training/competition with the national match M16A4 rifle, national match M1911A1 pistol, and competition rifle, pistol, and shotgun.  Length of match:  15 training days.  Host commander:  Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico.  Reporting date: 29 March 2019.  Marine Corps Match:  1 – 19 April 2019.
6.d.  Marine Corps Match host site responsibilities:
6.d.1.  Host site is responsible for publishing appropriate LOI and ensuring distribution to all tenant commands eligible to compete in the respective match.
6.d.2.  Host site will publish a match bulletin capturing the final results of the entire match, specifically identifying the match winner, the high tyro, all Marines who earn distinguished credit points, and all Marines who received the designation of Distinguished Marksman during the match.  Match bulletins will be provided in a quantity sufficient to allow all competitors to receive a copy with at least two copies being provided to the Marine Corps Shooting Team for appropriate historical filing.
6.e.  Tasks
6.e.1.  I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) – for the duration of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West, you will provide the following personnel to facilitate the administrative handling of the competitions:
(1) match executive officer
(1) match statistics staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge
(SNCOIC) (Staff Sergeant (SSgt) or Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt))
(2) match statistics personnel (Private (Pvt)-Sergeant (Sgt))
6.e.2.  II MEF – for the duration of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – East, you will provide the following personnel to facilitate the administrative handling of the competitions:
(1) match executive officer
(1) match statistics SNCOIC (SSgt-GySgt)
(2) match statistics personnel (Pvt-Sgt)
6.e.3.  III MEF – for the duration of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – Far East and Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition Pacific, you will provide the following personnel to facilitate the administrative handling of the competitions:
(1) match executive officer
(1) match statistics SNCOIC (SSgt-GySgt)
(2) match statistics personnel (Pvt-Sgt)
7.  In accordance with reference (a), Marine competitors may only participate in a maximum of four Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) matches per year.  The Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions – Far East were moved from November to December 2018.  It should be noted that even with this change, the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – Far East will still count as an EIC match for 2019.
8.  Reference (a) directs that those Marines who place in the top 10-percent at their respective Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition sites will be afforded the opportunity to participate in the Marine Corps Match respectively.  Those Marines who show exceptional marksmanship ability at the Marine Corps Match will be selected to augment the USMC Shooting Team for the remainder of the competitive season which culminates with the Inter-service and National Matches, and action match equivalent.  These Marines will be provided TAD funding by the Marine Corps Shooting Team.  The Shooting Team requests that waivers of participation in either the Marine Corps Match or selection to the USMC Shooting Team, to include eligibility and non-continuance requests, be sent from unit Commanding Officers to the Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion, Training Command (C 476), 27211 Garand Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5036 via the on-site Combat Marksmanship Coach representative at each Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition site.  All waiver requests should be submitted with full justification and appropriate endorsements prior to the reporting date for the Marine Corps Match.  Summer augments to the USMC Shooting Team may also have the opportunity to attend an additional marksmanship course (CMC, Combat Marksmanship Trainer, or Foreign Weapons Instructor Course) offered at Quantico at the end of the summer schedule based on seat availability.
9.  For Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions: All competitors are required to compete with both rifle and pistol, as well as attend all instruction and training listed in this message.  Rare exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
10.  All competitors attending the Marine Corps Match will compete with the rifle, pistol, and shotgun as directed per stage or course of fire.  Regardless of which weapon they placed with at a Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition, all individuals are eligible to win either match and receive distinguished credit points/team awards with the rifle and pistol.  All competitors must be present for all instruction and training in order to be eligible/qualified for participation in the match.
11.  All competitors attending the Marine Corps Match will arrive at the match with their medical and dental records.
12.  Civilian competitors are authorized, at the discretion of the appropriate host Commander, to participate in the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition, but must complete all required training.  They must also fire the same service weapons as the active duty/reserve competitors.  They may receive distinguished credit points, but are not eligible for any further awards to include team awards.  The exception to this rule is retired Marines will receive a distinguished badge if they earn their final points at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition.  Civilian competitors are not authorized to compete in the Marine Corps Match.
13.  A limited number of weapons will be available for issue at Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition sites.  Accordingly, competitors are directed to bring their organizational M16A4/M4 rifles and M9 pistols.  All M16A4/M4 rifles must have the RCO (iron sights are not authorized).  All weapons must have a pre-fire limited technical inspection, accompanied by the equipment repair order (NAVMC 10245), and must be in Code "A" condition prior to reporting to the match site.  Competitors will fire the Table 2 of annual rifle qualification and the combat pistol program and should bring the following minimum required gear:  Helmet, Outer Tactical Vest/Modular Tactical Vest, or plate carrier, cartridge belt, M16 magazine retention device, (2) thirty round rifle magazines, M9 magazine pocket with (2) magazines, and authorized pistol holster.  During training week one, shooting gear will be limited to equipment authorized in reference (b) for Table 1A.  Hardback Cordura or leather shooting jackets are not authorized for Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions, but are authorized for the Marine Corps Match.
14.  During the first week of Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition East and Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West, team captains will be designated to fire for the large or small unit trophy based on unit size.  Guidance for making this determination is contained in reference (a).  If fewer than three eligible teams are present, the small unit trophy will not be contested.
15.  Reference (a), enclosure (1), paragraph 4.c.3 is modified as follows:  Teams may include one other service member, that is Navy, Army, or Air Force (regular or reserve) as a competitor who is joined/chargeable by Table of Organization to the unit represented, provided that individual does not fill either the officer, sergeant or below, or tyro requirement.  Further, that individual is not eligible for individual awards and will not receive any issued USMC badge regardless of the outcome.  Separate correspondence will be sent to his or her command for issue of the appropriate badge.  Marines involved in the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) may compete for their joining unit, provided the FAP was not executed solely for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition and was effective not less than 60 days prior to the beginning of the subject Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition.  For CIAP purposes, the beginning of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition shall be considered the first day of check-in at each respective site.
16.  Tenant organizations at each site, as well as all commands in the local area, are requested to render all possible assistance to the host commands during respective matches.
17.  Fitness Reports FITREP.  Temporary Duty (TD) FITREP will be submitted per MCO P1610.7F for those selected to augment the Marine Corps Shooting Team for the summer season (Temporary Additional Duty (TAD) in excess of 30 days).  The date for the TD FITREP should be the day the Marine Corps Match concludes (19 April 2019). A TD FITREP done by the Marine Corps Shooting Team will cover the summer augment from the TD date listed above to the date he/she departs back to his/her parent command.
18.  Personnel selected to attend the Marine Corps Match will be cross organized to a Weapons Training Battalion line of accounting for their respective Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition.  Commands must ensure that all participating Marines report with their original TAD/Permissive Temporary Additional Duty (PTAD) orders.  Those selected for further participation in the CIAP will need their records immediately available and have a government travel charge card previously issued through their parent command.  TAD/PTAD orders will direct competitors to report to the match executive officer for duty with the CIAP.  Due to a shrinking budget and fiscal uncertainty, commercial air from the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West, Far East, and Pacific to the Marine Corps Match will be funded by the Marine Corps Shooting Team on a limited basis.  The intent is to support a Marine Corps Match (typically 60-80 competitors) with representation from each site while staying within bounds of the annual budget.  However, it is authorized for parent commands to fund their eligible Marines to and from the respective Marine Corps Match if desired.  Coordination shall be made ahead of time for travel to and from the Marine Corps Match between the designated match site team captain, and USMC Shooting Team OIC.  It is required that participants also have a valid common access card to utilize the Defense Travel System during assignment as a summer augment.
19.  Request host commands direct one weapons repairman (Military Occupational Specialty 2111) sergeant or above to the host commands Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition site and ensure sufficient additional 2111 armorers from local commands are assigned to support the respective match.
20.  Administrative, statistical, and operations personnel support requirements are listed in chapters (5) and (6) of reference (a).  Windows capability, Microsoft Word software, Power Point software, Intel Duo Core or faster, projector, and color printer are required to maintain Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition record keeping.
21.  The Marine Corps Match will be conducted to the maximum extent possible under MCO 3591.2K and Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) rules, current edition, for high-power rifle and conventional pistol.  Action stages will be conducted under the applicable rules and regulations as will be specified in the forthcoming LOI.
22.  Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) representative.  A representative of the CMC will be assigned by the CO, Weapons and Training Battalion (WTBn) to assist and advise each match executive officer and supervise the training.  CMC representatives will ensure that the matches are conducted according to the provisions of reference (a) and any modifications thereto may be issued by the CO, WTBn.  CMC representatives will also serve as OICs of mobile training teams assigned to provide the instruction at each match site.
23.  This Bulletin is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve
(USMCR).
24.  Historically, Marines on the Marine Corps Reserve Shooting Team were only permitted to compete at the Eastern Division Matches.  In an effort to reduce the USMCR financial burden, USMCR Shooting Team members are permitted to compete at either Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – East or Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West based on where the individual Marine is stationed.  Members of the USMCR Shooting Team are not eligible to compete for team trophies for either Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – West or Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition – East as a part of the USMCR shooting team.  USMCR Shooting Team members will be authorized to participate in team matches at the division level when they are firing as part of their regular reserve unit and not as the USMCR Shooting Team.  USMCR Marines are also authorized to check-in during the first day of classes in order to remain under their two-week TAD timeframe, but will be required to inform the match site of their intent to participate beforehand.
25.  Dates for the 2019 Inter-service Pistol Championship held in Fort Benning, Georgia, the Inter-service Rifle Championship held in Quantico, Virginia, and the National Matches held in Camp Perry, Ohio can be found on the CMP website:  www.thecmp.org.
26.  This Bulletin is canceled 30 September 2019.
27.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General D. H. Berger, Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration.//