Far East Division matches in sight

Photo By Sgt. Tyler Vernaza | Sgt. Matthew S. Gullette, competitor, combat shooting team, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, fires downrange during a pistol match May 5. The pistol match was one event of the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting 2011, an annual, international combat shooting match. Some of the Marines who competed in this international competition are selected to participate in the Far East Intramural Matches, part of the competition in arms program.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.25.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Tyler Vernaza 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP HANSEN, Japan - Since the birth of the Marine Corps, there has always been a harmony between a Marine and his rifle, and over the years, Marines have demonstrated that union on the battlefield. A couple of examples include:

• Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock, 1st Marine Division – 93 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War.

• Sgt. Charles “Chuck” Mawhinney, scout sniper platoon, 5th Marine Regiment – 102 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War.

The rifle marksmanship skills that Marines use in combat are first developed in boot camp. Marines then have the opportunity to hone their skills through annual training and marksmanship competitions, such as the Marine Corps shooting matches.

Every year, Marine Corps Bases Japan holds the Far East Intramural Matches at the beginning of the year where service members compete in enhanced-marksmanship techniques. The competition is open to all Marines and sailors.

“Marines and sailors [attached to a Marine unit] of all ranks can participate,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Capko, platoon sergeant with Military Police Company, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler.

The Far East Intramural Matches are a part of the Competition in Arms Program, which is a series of matches conducted in several geographical areas. The Eastern Division Matches are held in North Carolina. The Pacific Division Matches are held in Hawaii, and the Western Division Matches are held in California.

“The intramural matches will provide individual competing Marines and sailors the opportunity to hone their marksmanship skills, as well as learn to work and shoot as a team,” said Gunnery Sgt. Douglas K. Nehls, staff non-commissioned officer in charge, Camp Hansen’s marksmanship training unit, part of Headquarters and Service Battalion, MCB Camp Butler. “The lessons learned should allow them to increase their individual qualification scores, as well as help them place high enough to medal in the Far East Division matches.”

According to Marine Corps Order 3591.2J, the purpose of the matches is to enhance the marksmanship proficiency and combat readiness of the Marine Corps. During the competition, shooters who were selected by their commands will fire both M-16 rifles and M-9 pistols at the individual and team levels.

The rifle portion of the event requires Marines to shoot from 200, 300 and 500 yards in various shooting positions. The pistol portion requires Marines to use only one firing arm as they shoot from a distance of 20 yards.

To participate in the rifle matches, a shooter must be qualified as a sharpshooter or higher. No qualification is required for the M-9 pistol. Participants will be screened to ensure the most qualified are selected.

For more information, contact your S-3 training section.

• Date Taken: 08.25.2011
• Date Posted: 08.25.2011 01:10
• Story ID: 75881
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP