MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- One of the most famous Marine Corps mottos is ‘Every Marine a rifleman.’ Because of that standard, rifle training starts early in recruit training.
Recruits of Company I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, fired their rifles during Table One of their rifle qualification at Edson Range, Jan. 27.
Rifle qualification is one of many graduation requirements in recruit training, which is why recruits received ample training on the rifle and how to fire it properly.
“Most recruits have never fired a weapon before recruit training,” said Sgt. Britt Castillo, senior drill instructor, Platoon 3215. “Their biggest challenge is being timid with the weapon and being scared of the first shot.”
During rifle qualification, recruits fired the M16-A4 service rifle from the 200-, 300- and 500-yard lines utilizing four different shooting positions: standing, kneeling, sitting and prone.
“These positions help recruits stabilize the weapon,” said Castillo, a native of Dallas. “Even though they are not comfortable positions, they help the recruits get a steady shot at the target.”
Other than stability, relaxation was another key aspect of firing the rifle, according to 28-year-old Castillo.
“When the recruits fire the rifle, they anticipate the shot,” said Castillo. “We try to teach them to just take a deep breath and focus on the target.”
On the range, there were three different types of targets that varied between each yard line: the bull’s-eye target or ‘Able’, the low-profile silhouette target or ‘Dog’ and the larger silhouette or ‘B-Modified.’
Prior to Firing Week, recruits went through Grass Week, which was a week of dry firing the rifle at the targets to practice their breathing and firing techniques.
“Grass Week helped me a lot,” said Recruit Justin B. Rogers. “The more I snapped in with the rifle it felt more natural in each position; I was more confident when it was time to shoot.”
Although there were many basic skills to learn prior to firing the rifle, recruits had a Primary Marksmanship Instructor who taught them marksmanship fundamentals during Grass Week and a range coach while they fired to reiterate the techniques.
“The PMI helped me a lot,” said Rogers, a Denver native. “I realized that even the smallest movement can throw off your shot.”
Depending on the score, recruits earned marksman, sharpshooter or expert qualification.
“This is one of the most important things that the recruits learn in recruit training,” said Castillo. “It doesn’t matter what your Military Occupation Specialty is, every Marine needs to be combat-ready and that is what makes us stand out from all of the other branches.”