R 291536Z AUG 22
MARADMIN 441/22
MSGID/GENADMIN/CG TECOM QUANTICO VA//
SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2023 COMPETITION-IN-ARMS PROGRAM//
REF/A/MCO 3574.2M /6 Apr 2022//
REF/B/DOC/CD&I/20181119//
NARR/REF A IS MCO 3574.2M, MARINE CORPS COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAMS. REF B IS MARINE CORPS RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP LETHALITY CAPABILITIES-BASED ASSESSMENT.//
POC/WILLIAMS, P.V./CAPT/OIC MARINE CORPS SHOOTING TEAM/TEL: DSN 278-5450/COMM: (703) 784-5450//
POC/CAPKO, N.W./MSGT/SNCOIC MARINE CORPS SHOOTING TEAM/TEL: DSN 278-5104/COMM: (703) 784-5104//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To announce the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Competition-In-Arms Program (CIAP) regional Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions (MCMC).
2.  Background.  The MCMC enhances a Marine’s lethality on the battlefield via advanced marksmanship training and competition in support of the Commandant’s guidance to develop warriors with physical and mental toughness, tenacity, initiative, and aggressiveness to innovate, adapt, and win in a rapidly changing operating environment.  The MCMC provides an opportunity to refine the fundamental skills that make a Marine lethal on the battlefield and able to deliver lethal force in a dynamic environment in accordance with the Marine Corps Rifle Marksmanship Lethality Capabilities-Based Assessment.
2.a.  The Marine Corps Shooting Team (MCST) coordinates and facilitates five regional marksmanship competitions.  These are held annually at:  Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, National Capital Region (NCR); Camp Butler, Far East; MCB Hawaii, Pacific; Camp Pendleton, West; and Camp Lejeune, East.  Marine Corps Championships are held at MCB Quantico.  Participants will significantly enhance their lethality in the use of individual small arms by refining fundamental marksmanship skills, learning advanced marksmanship techniques, and pushing through mental and physical boundaries in a competitive environment.  In addition to receiving advanced marksmanship training within the action shooting rifle and pistol disciplines, Marines attending the regional MCMCs will also complete their annual rifle and pistol qualifications.
3.  Individual Eligibility.  All officer and enlisted Marines of the active and reserve components who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the CIAP:  approved by their command, have at least one year remaining on contract from date of regional MCMC, and possess the maturity and competence to safely conduct advanced marksmanship training.  Other service members, retired Marines, prior service Marines, law enforcement officers, and civilians may be authorized by the hosting command in the event active / reserve Marines do not fill all available quotas.
3.a.  Maximum participation increases the number of highly skilled and lethal marksmen across the Marine Corps.  Commanders from across the Total Force are encouraged to support individual and team entries.  Quotas will be managed by the hosting command based upon range capacity and availability.  In the event participant entries exceed capacity, registration approvals will be prioritized as follows:  Active Duty Marines, Marine Reservists, other service members, retired / prior service Marines, law enforcement officers, civilians.
3.b.  The regional hosting units will serve as the lead planners for their respective match locations.  The hosting units will work initial quota management with local commands and remain in close coordination with the MCST to ensure all commands are afforded the opportunity to send Marines.
4.  Command Sponsored Teams
4.a.  Commands may send individuals or entire teams to the regional MCMCs.  To compete for team trophies and medals, units must ensure all members of the team(s) are enrolled in the MCMC.  Teams are comprised of four shooters and may include a non-firing fifth member to serve as the coach.  Teams must include the following firing members:  a Marine officer, an enlisted Marine of rank E-5 or below, and a member that has never competed in a MCMC, Division Match, or Marine Corps Combat Match, commonly known as a “tyro”.  A single member may fulfill more than one requirement. Additional positions may be filled by a Marine or other service member of any rank.  No more than two of the firing members may be distinguished with the type of weapon concerned.  Only authorized teams will be allowed to compete for team trophies and medals.  Commands may enter more than one competitive team as long as they meet the above criteria.  All members of the team must be enrolled in the MCMC and complete all individual stages.
4.b.  Commands may compete for large unit or small unit trophies at the MCMC West and MCMC East competitions.  A large unit is comprised of 600 or more Marines as found on the unit’s Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) report from the Total Force Structure Management System.  A small unit is comprised of less than 600 Marines as found on the unit’s TO&E report.  If fewer than two eligible teams are present, the small unit trophy will not be awarded.
5.  The MCMCs will consist of 10 total training days over a 2-week period.  Marines who participate in the FY23 CIAP will receive the following two-week training package during each MCMC:
5.a.  Week one:  history of the CIAP, classroom instruction, firing positions, dry fire, zero establishment, instruction on advanced pistol and rifle positions, dynamic target engagement, and individual marksmanship practice.
5.b.  Week two:  individual competition with rifle and pistol, team competition, annual rifle and pistol qualification, and awards ceremony.
5.c.  Authorized weapons for the regional MCMCs are the issued service rifle and service pistol as authorized for annual rifle and pistol training.  Authorized weapons and attachments may be found using the Marine Corps Systems Command website at https:(slant slant)mceits.usmc.mil/sites/iw/Pages/Home.aspx# and selecting the appropriate Technical Manual and SL3 Extracts for more detail.  The M45A1 pistol is prohibited for use due to the logistical burden associated with procuring .45 caliber ammunition.
6.  FY23 CIAP Schedule
6.a.  MCMC NCR, 23 October - 4 November 2022.  Hosting Commander:  Commanding Officer, Weapons Training Battalion (WTBn), Quantico.  Hosting Unit:  WTBn, Quantico.  Registration NLT:  22 October 2022.  Live-fire training days:  23 October - 3 November 2022.  Awards ceremony:  4 November 2022.
6.b.  MCMC Far East, 5 - 16 December 2022.  Hosting Commander:  Commanding General (CG), MCB Camp Smedley D. Butler.  Hosting Unit:  Formal Marksmanship Training Center, Marine Corps Installations (MCI) Pacific aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa.  Registration no later than (NLT):  4 December 2022.  Live-fire training days:  5 - 15 December 2022.  Awards ceremony:  16 December 2022.
6.c.  MCMC Pacific, 23 January - 3 February 2023.  Hosting Commander:  Commanding Officer (CO), MCB Hawaii.  Hosting Unit:  Pu'uloa Range Training Facility.  Registration NLT:  22 January 2023.  Live-fire training days:  23 January - 2 February 2023.  Awards ceremony:  3 February 2023.
6.d.  MCMC West, 13 - 24 February 2023.  Hosting Commander:  CG, MCI West - MCB Camp Pendleton.  Hosting Unit:  Marksmanship Training Branch, Marine Corps Installations West.  Registration NLT:  12 February 2023.  Live-fire training days:  13 - 23 February 2023.  Awards ceremony:  24 February 2023.
6.e.  MCMC East, 6 - 17 March 2023.  Hosting Commander:  CG, MCI East - MCB Camp Lejeune.  Hosting Unit:  WTBN, MCB Camp Lejeune.  Registration NLT:  5 March 2023.  Live-fire training days:  6 - 16 March 2023.  Awards ceremony:  17 March 2023.
6.f.  Marine Corps Championships, 28 March - 7 April 2023.  Hosting Commander:  CG, Training Command.  Hosting Unit:  WTBN, MCB Quantico.  Registration NLT:  27 March 2023.  Live-fire training days:  28 March - 7 April 2023.  Award ceremony:  7 April 2023.
7.  Tasks
7.a.  Hosting Commands
7.a.1.  For the duration of each respective regional MCMC, provide the following personnel to support the Formal Marksmanship Training Unit preparation and the MCST’s execution of the competition:  1 certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) for every range conducting live-fire training in accordance with base Range Control requirements (Sergeant through Captain); 1 certified Range Officer-in-Charge (OIC) for every range conducting live-fire training in accordance with local Base Range Control requirements (Staff Sergeant through Captain); 16 Position Safety Officers (PSO) to assist in the conduct of the action shooting instruction and competition (Lance Corporal through Staff Sergeant); 1 Small Arms Repairer, MOS 2111 (Corporal through Staff Sergeant).
7.a.2.  Hosting commands will ensure the hosting unit releases a local Letter of Instruction (LOI), which will provide more details on first day reporting instructions, range regulations, armory availability and / or procedures, billeting options, and any further coordinating instructions to enable units to better plan for participation.  All administrative requirements will be complete before the first training day.
7.b.  MCB Camp Butler, Okinawa
7.b.1.  The MCST requires support when attending the MCMC Far East match due to international and Status of Forces Agreement restrictions; i.e. rental cars and driver licenses.  For the duration of MCMC Far East, ensure the MCST has support as tasked in paragraph 7.A. along with:  one sponsor to coordinate transportation to / from Naha International Airport, transportation to on-base lodging, and coordination of on-base lodging (Sgt through Capt); two dedicated drivers to ensure the MCST can transit between lodging and ranges (Cpl through Capt); two dedicated vehicles (government owned or rentals).  If using rental vehicles, the MCST line of accounting will pay for the assets if the hosting command provides licensed drivers.
7.c.  Hosting Unit Responsibilities
7.c.1.  The hosting unit will ensure range personnel are trained, certified, and able to serve as range OIC, RSO, and PSO for the duration of the regional MCMC.
7.c.2.  The hosting unit will bear the financial cost for all required targetry, shot spotters, golf tees, scorecards, and any other materials required to support annual rifle / pistol qualifications and individual stages of the match.
7.c.3.  The MCST will require a minimum of seven PRC-153 or equivalent hand-held radios to facilitate internal coordination.
7.c.4.  The Marksmanship Program Management Section (MPMS) One target, NSN 6920-01-625-6748, will be the primary paper target used.  However, hosting units may use any approved paper target from the International Practical Shooting Confederation, International Defensive Pistol Association, United States Practical Shooting Association, or similarly accredited sport shooting organization so long as the same target is used for the duration of the action shooting competition.  Steel targets are authorized and encouraged, but must abide by range safety parameters as found in DA-PAM 385-63,  MCO 3570.1C, and Training and Education Command Safety of Use Message 2-02.
7.c.5.  The hosting unit is responsible for the engraving of all team trophies awarded.
7.c.6.  In close coordination with the MCST, the hosting unit will publish a paper match bulletin capturing complete results of the match including:  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 or Distinguished Pistol Shot, team results, and any other information deemed appropriate to the regional match.  Match bulletins will be provided in a quantity sufficient to allow all competitors to receive a copy and the MCST to receive two copies for historical filing.
7.c.7.  The hosting unit will provide dedicated work spaces for the MCST administration section to register Marines, manage scores, and update the match bulletin.  At a minimum, the hosting unit will provide two computers with internet and printer access.
7.c.8.  The MCST will provide shot timers and scoring tablets to record competitor scores.  The MCST will provide training to hosting unit range support personnel on scoring tablet use.  This will be the primary scoring system used to upload competitor scores into the PractiScore scoring software.
8.  The Marine Corps Championships, from 28 March - 7 April 2023 at WTBn MCB Quantico, consists of 10 days of competition in precision rifle, action rifle, precision pistol, action pistol, and multi gun action shooting.
8.a.  Marines who place in the top 10-percent at their respective MCMC will receive an invitation to participate in the Marine Corps Championships.  The OIC, MCST will send by-name invitations to the Marine’s battalion / squadron CO and senior enlisted advisor.  The MCST will fund Marines via a cross-organizational line of accounting from the MCST.  The MCST will provide more detailed reporting instructions once a Marine is approved to attend.
8.b.  Marines who demonstrate maturity, professionalism, and exceptional marksmanship talent at the Marine Corps Championships will receive an invitation from the Team Captain (O-6), MCST to serve as a summer augment.  Summer augments to the MCST will further compete in state, regional, national, and inter-service matches from May through August 2023.  Length of temporary additional duty orders are negotiable between COs but will not exceed the FY.
8.c.  Summer augments will be assigned to the MCST effective immediately after the conclusion of the Marine Corps Championships.  Due to budget limitations, summer augments will not be funded to return to their parent command until the conclusion of the summer shooting season.  Attendees to the Marine Corps Championship will make proper preparations to ensure they are able to stay as summer augments if selected.
8.d.  Marines who were invited to join the MCST as summer augments during the FY22 shooting season, but were unable to compete due to operational commitments, are encouraged to request summer augment TAD orders through their commanding officer to the CO, WTBN, Quantico, Training Command (C476), 27211 Garand Road, Quantico, VA 22134-5036.
8.e.  Summer augments to the MCST may also have the opportunity to attend any available courses offered by WTBN MCB Quantico; e.g. Combat Marksmanship Coach / Trainer or Foreign Weapons Instructor Course.
9.  Coordinating Instructions
9.a.  Marines will report on the specified check-in day with a roster of all competitors, Pre-Fire Inspection (PFI) and Limited Technical Inspection (LTI) inspection sheets, confirmation of competitor enrollment in PractiScore, and all administrative requirements complete prior to the first day of training.
9.b.  All competitors are required to compete with both rifle and pistol.  All competitors are required to attend all instruction and training listed in this message.
9.c.  At the discretion of the hosting commander / unit, civilian competitors, law enforcement officers, and retired Marines may be authorized to participate in any MCMC.  They must coordinate with the hosting FMTU for service weapons and ammunition.  Retired Marines who earn their final Excellence-in-Competition credit to become distinguished will receive their distinguished shield and associated paperwork.  All competitors must abide by all federal and base requirements when entering a MCI.
9.d.  The MCST only provides weapons and ammunition for the Marine Corps Championships.  For the regional MCMCs, competitors are directed to bring their organizational service rifles and service pistols.  The host unit will provide ammunition for their respective MCMC.  All service weapons must have a current PFI / LTI.  The Global Combat Support System (GCSS) PFI / LTI inspection sheets are the documentation required.  For individual competitors or commands that may not have ready access to GCSS PFI / LTI sheets, a certified MOS 2111/2112 armorer must sign-off on a PFI / LTI sheet proving the weapons, by serial number, have been inspected.
9.e.  Competitors will fire the Annual Rifle Qualification and the Combat Pistol Program to satisfy annual marksmanship training requirements.  Competitors will bring the following minimum required gear:  helmet, plate carrier, hip war belt, rifle and pistol magazine retention devices, four rifle magazines, rifle sling, two pistol magazines, pistol holster, and eye and ear protection.  Shooting gear and equipment allowed will be limited to the same as authorized for annual rifle / pistol qualification.  Optional gear includes night optic device and AN / PEQ for an additional training opportunity.
9.f.  The intent behind training with the issued service weapons and issued gear is to build confidence and familiarity with equipment with which a Marine will likely deploy.  Gear designed specifically for competition shooting is not authorized:  friction pistol holsters, shooting jackets, competition magazines, competition belts, competition pouches, etc.  The MCST will determine if gear / equipment affords a competitor a distinct advantage before authorizing its use.
9.g.  The MCST is not responsible, or authorized, to upload a Competitor’s annual rifle and pistol scores into the Marine Corps Training Information Management System.  Upon conclusion of the competition, the commander’s senior member present, an OIC, or Staff Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC) must collect all annual rifle and pistol training score cards and turn them over to their respective unit’s operations section (S-3).  Individual competitors must collect their score cards upon conclusion of the match from the regional FMTU.
9.h.  The website https:(slash slash)practiscore.com is free and will be used to register competitors, pass information, and post individual scores as the match progresses.  The MCST administrative section will ensure a unique match is prepared for each regional MCMC.  Marines are required to create a free account and pre-register on an individual basis to expedite check-in day.  During check-in, the unit’s match OIC / SNCOIC will coordinate with the MCST administrative section to ensure rosters are accurate.
10.  The MCST is tasked with planning, facilitating, and supervising the conduct of each MCMC by providing a match director and instructors.  Any deviation from the rules and regulations established by the MCST will be approved by the MCST OIC under the direction of the Commanding Officer, WTBn, Quantico, as the Marine Corps Marksmanship Proponent.
11.  This MARADMIN is also applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.  Members of the Marine Forces Reserve (MFR) Shooting Team are authorized to compete in any of the regional MCMCs.  Members of the MFR Shooting Team are not eligible to compete for team trophies unless they are firing as part of their drilling reserve unit.
12.  Commands seeking to increase marksmanship capabilities within their subordinate units may submit requests to the MCST to provide a Mobile Training Team (MTT).  MCST MTTs will provide marksmanship training tailored to the requesting unit.  MTTs will be conducted separate from the MCMCs.  Requesters should make every attempt to closely align MTT dates with the MCMCs in order to save on MCST transportation expenses.  The MCST understands a unit’s operational tempo may not always allow for scheduling during or around a MCMC and will consider all requests for training with respect to MCST mission requirements.
13.  The MCST will continue to post updated information on its social media accounts:  Facebook, USMC Shooting Team; Instagram, usmcshootingteam.
14.  The Small Arms Marksmanship Competition order, MCO 3591.2K, is currently under revision.  This order serves as the foundation of planning, awards issuance, and team construct.  The MCST has also developed an Action Shooting Rule Book to ensure all MCMCs are fair, safe, and consistent.  Questions concerning how a MCMC will be evaluated should be directed to the points of contacts listed in this message.
15.  This MARADMIN cancels 30 September 2023.
16.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General Kevin M. Iiams, Commanding General, Training and Education Command.//