Marines take aim during intramurals

Photo By Sgt. Aneshea Yee | Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island gathered to participate in the Parris Island Intramural Rifle and Pistol Competition at the Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Parris Island, Nov. 17.  

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

12.05.2014

Story by Cpl. Brendan Roethel 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

BEAUFORT, S.C. - Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island gathered to participate in the Parris Island Intramural Rifle and Pistol Competition at the Weapons and Field Training Battalion aboard Parris Island, Nov. 17.

According to a Depot bulletin, annual competition increases proficiency, provides the foundation for Corps-wide marksmanship, and enhances combat readiness.

Marines can enter the competition as individuals or four-man teams. Each team however must have at least one officer and one sergeant. Shooters are required to compete with both the M9 pistol and M16A4/M4 service rifle with Rifle Combat Optics during the intramural matches.

“The intramurals breed the competitive spirit while focusing on the individual Marines’ marksmanship skills that have been the hallmark of the Marine Corps all the way back to Belleau Wood,” said Gunnery Sgt. Adam Tack, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the Parris Island Rifle and Pistol Team. “It gets Marines out of the mindset of only focusing on their marksmanship skills when they shoot their annual qualifications and helps them better hone their skills.”

“Shooting on the intramurals is a completely different animal than shooting annual qualifications,” said Sgt. Adam Heintzelman, the Marine Aircraft Group 31 crew chief with Station Ordnance aboard MCAS Beaufort. “I’m very competitive, so being able to go out and shoot against other Marines as well as on a team make it more challenging. Shooting during the intramurals also allows you to shoot both the rifle and pistol during the same range.”

More than 100 trophies, plaques, medallions and certificates will be presented to the match winners, Dec. 17, Tack said.
Marines who stand out and desire to continue shooting in marksmanship competitions, could be offered the opportunity to compete in higher level competitions as a member of the Parris Island Rifle and Pistol Team.

Those with top marksmanship skills that become members of the Parris Island Rifle and Pistol Team join a rich history of elite marksmanship in the Corps. Team members pass down the team’s history, and represent the Marine Corp’s tradition that every Marine is a rifleman.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2014
• Date Posted: 12.05.2014 11:31
• Story ID: 149488
• Location: BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US