Photo Information

Cpl. Brendon M. Walsh, armorer, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, hands an M16-A4 Service Rifle to Recruit Robert M. Gibson, Platoon 2154, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, during rifle issue aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 29. Gibson is a Frazier Park, Calif., native and was recruited out of Recruiting Station Bakersfield, Calif.

Photo by Sgt. Benjamin E. Woodle

Co. G rifle issue commences recruit training

10 Oct 2014 | Sgt. Benjamin E. Woodle Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego

To some, Marines are known as efficient warriors who can deliver consistent and effective shots at any target.  The Marine and his rifle are infamously known worldwide, but this reputation could not be achieved without a strong basic foundation.

Recruits of Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, were issued their M16-A4 Service Rifle aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 29.

Recruits receive rifles in the beginning days of training and keep it with them, guarded as if it were their babies.  They embrace the adage that without their rifles, they are nothing, and without them, their rifles are nothing.  Regardless of their military occupation specialty, they will become fluent, knowledgeable and blindfoldedly familiar with their weapon; realizing that regardless of MOS, their proficiency as a marksman is a key attribute to being a Marine.

“Whether you’re a grunt or not, we’re all riflemen,” said Staff Sgt. Jarrell D. Williams, drill instructor, Platoon 2155.   “Getting the M16-A4 Service Rifle issued, and then being trained on how to properly utilize it, is one of the most important parts of being a Marine.”

Recruits received their weapon, which is light-weight, magazine feed, gas operated, air-cooled and shoulder fired, making it the ideal weapon of choice for the Corps in combat operations. 

When Company G arrived at the depot armory, some recruits already understood the importance of the rifle training they would undergo. 

“It’s important for us, as Marines, to be trained on all aspects of our rifle,” said Recruit Justin L. Freeberg, Plt. 2155.  “When the time comes to use them, we need to be able to do it effectively and efficiently in any scenario.”

As Freeberg received his weapon, his mind was already focused on what may be asked of him one day out in a combat situation.  It was something that not all recruits might have thought about until they held the weapon in their hands.

 “Some (recruits) didn’t fully grasp it until they held a weapon that was used in combat and then realized they may have to do that as well,” said Freeberg, who was recruited out of Recruiting Substation Mankato, Minn.  “I knew before I joined what I was getting myself into and what I may one day be asked to do.  I know that what I’ll be doing will protect the people I love.”

As each recruit received his rifle, drill instructors started to get their own sense of pride.

“It motivates me to see new recruits get their weapons issued,” said Williams, a Chesapeake, Va., native. “I take a lot of personal pride in my job and enjoy the challenge to make them the best marksman in the Corps.”

Drill instructors and primary marksmanship instructors are tasked with instructing and training recruits to become a basically trained marksman.  From past teaching experience, they already know the challenges ahead of them they will have to fight to overcome.

“Some of the recruits never held a weapon or think they know how to shoot, but their fundamentals are messed up,” said Williams, who is on his second cycle as a drill instructor.  “What we’ll do is break it down and reteach them to not only apply the correct fundamentals, but in a stressful environment as well.”

Throughout recruit training, drill instructors and PMIs will instill in them the weapon proficiency and warrior ethos of those who went before them. The recruits quickly realized that they and their rifles will become inseparable and function as one for the remainder of recruit training.

Company G recruits will continue on through recruit training with their weapon at their side in an effort to earn the title Marine.  They will test their drill capabilities during Initial and Final Drill as well as their marksmanship skills at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.  Mastering their rifle will become one of the greatest achievements over their careers in the Corps.

“You can’t be a Marine without your rifle,” said Williams.  “You’ll never know a Marine who didn’t qualify and become the rifleman that we’re known for.”