Photo By Cpl. Nathan Knapke | Service members line up on the firing line during the Pacific Division Matches at...... read more read more
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EWA BEACH, Hawaii — A Marine’s best friend is his or her rifle. Marines master it as they master their lives. These are words that Marines all through history have lived by. To this day, Marines strive to master their rifles because it could save their lives.
Service members shot rifles and pistols during the second day of qualification in the Pacific Division Matches at the Puuloa Range Training Facility in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Monday.
Classes started Feb. 4, teaching shooting principles that encompass necessary techniques competitors use throughout the competition. Subjects covered the gear competitors are allowed to use, competition programs, wind calling and sling techniques. Allotted time was provided to “snap in,” or practice, shooting positions like the prone, sitting, kneeling and standing.
Shooters started to fire on the range the next day. They received advice from combat marksmanship trainers, who are trained in helping shooters overcome challenges.
The qualifying competition rounds started Feb. 8 and continued through Feb. 11, the last day of the shooting competition.
There were 140 shooters in the competition. Service members from bases on Hawaii were allowed to compete.
“The Pacific Division Matches have some of the best competitive shooters in the Marine Corps,” said Gunnery Sgt. Heath Fernald, the staff noncommissioned officer of the Marine Corps Rifle Team from Erie, Pa. “If someone wants to be the best, they have to compete against the best. This competition gives any service member a chance to be a better marksman and competitively shoot against other Marines and service members.”
Marines have to tread through their individual base and region competitions before competing at the divisional level. The Eastern, Western and Pacific divisions host shooting competitions. The top qualifiers from each division are granted an opportunity to attend the Marine Corps Shooting Championship on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
“I learned more about shooting during this competition than while in boot camp,” said Pfc. Glenn Morgan, an automotive mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and a native of Milwaukee, Wis. “Coaches here are willing to get in-depth on how to shoot more precisely.”
Marines interested in competing with the rifle or pistol team can get involved with intramural or division matches if their command grants permission. Marines have to submit an application to the Weapons Training Battalion on MCB Hawaii for Pacific matches.
Marines who place high enough in the shooting competition and make it to the Marine Corps Shooting Team can expect to serve a two- to three-year tour with the team.
“Marines need to apply themselves during the training portion of the competition,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Stephens, rifle team head coach, Marine Corps shooting team in Okinawa, Japan. “If Marines apply themselves, they will learn valuable skills for themselves and take what they learned back to other Marines, enhancing the overall combat readiness of the Marine Corps.”
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2013 15:21 |
| Story ID: | 102087 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | ERIE, PA, US |
| Hometown: | MILWAUKEE, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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