NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas – Three Marines representing the 8th Marine Corps District traveled to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. to participate in the Competition-In-Arms Program, Western Division Matches (WMD) February 24 to March 7.
Major Brad Botanes, the assistant enlisted recruiting officer at the district, Sgt. Levi Gates, a recruiter at Recruiting Station Fort Worth, Permanent Contact Station Grapevine in Grapevine, Texas, and Sgt. Evan Tuley, a recruiter at Recruiting Station Phoenix, Recruiting Substation Chandler in Chandler, Arizona, will be participating in many shooting different activities during the two weeks in California. The Marines will participate in rifle and pistol shooting matches with distances up to 500 yards.
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. This is done by refining precision marksmanship skills through advanced marksmanship training and competition, according to Marine Corps Bulletin 3591.
The WDM is one of four division matches that take place every fiscal year. Not only is the match a good chance to receive a wealth of knowledge, but it also fulfills the participants’ annual rifle and pistol training requirements.
The first week is spent in the classroom, the grass, and on the firing line. Marines will receive classes reviewing the fundamentals of marksmanship and safety rules while on the range. After the review, the Marines will head outside and practice their shooting positions while conducting dry fire exercises. Then the Marines will head to the firing line where they will conduct live fire practice. After the practice is complete, they will conduct the preliminary matches.
The following week is the actual competition. The competition matches will be conducted with M16A4 or M4 service rifle with a rifle combat optic and the M9 service pistol. There will be team and individual competitions and the top shooters and teams will be awarded with plaques and trophies.
The shooters in the top ten percent will receive a chance to compete in the Marine Corps Championship Program, however, all Marines attending will leave with a plethora of knowledge to share with their peers.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2014 16:09 |
| Story ID: | 121056 |
| Location: | FORT WORTH, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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