Mike, November Companies learn to shoot straight, true

Photo By Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton | Recruits from Platoon 2097, Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, sit with their rifles as they are instructed on proper firing techniques Oct. 18.  

PARRIS ISLAND, SC, UNITED STATES

10.27.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- During the sixth week of recruit training, grass week, recruits begin learning how to fire the rifles they were issued their first week aboard the depot.

During grass week recruits are taught the fundamentals of firing and the ins and outs of their rifles by primary marksmanship instructors. They learn techniques such as breath control, proper shooting positions and proper aiming.

The intention of grass week is to get the recruits as confident and comfortable with their weapons as possible for the follow-on week, firing week, when they fire for score.

During firing week recruits will have range coaches to advise them in addition to their PMIs.

“I perfect what the PMIs teach them,” said Cpl. Noah Berry, a range coach on Chosin rifle range. “I want them to know the mistakes they made on day one so the next day they’ll correct themselves and keep getting better.”

Firing week is made up of three practice days, Monday through Wednesday, a prequalification day, Thursday, and qualification for official score Friday. The practice days offer recruits a chance to learn the course of fire and their weapons.

“It’s this experience and practice that will get them comfortable with their weapons by the time they qualify,” Berry said.

The course of fire includes shooting at targets from 200, 300 and 500 yards in variations of prone, sitting, kneeling and standing position.

Recruits are required to fire at three different targets: a circular “able target,” a target shaped like the head and shoulders of a man laying down called the “dog target” and a full-body shaped target called the “body modified target.”

The able and dog targets are shot at from the 200 and the 300-yard lines. Body modified targets are the only ones fired at from the 500-yard line.

Recruits also learn more skills from their shooting curriculum during firing week like using a data book, which allows them to plot their shots on grids resembling the target and write down their personal rifle sight adjustments. They also get to make wind calls, which are adjustments on their rifles based on wind speed and direction.

Skills like these give recruits the confidence to be more reliant on themselves rather than on their instructors

“It teaches us to be dependable and independent,” said Rct. Aldo Calix, a recruit with Platoon 3093, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “It’s just you – nobody is going to get up there and shoot for you.”

Based on how well they shoot on qualification day, the recruits earn one of three marksmanship qualifications. The hierarchy starts with rifle marksman then sharpshooter and finally rifle expert.

• Date Taken: 10.27.2011
• Date Posted: 10.27.2011 10:15
• Story ID: 79107
• Location: PARRIS ISLAND, SC, US