Weapons and Field Training Battalion now offers recreational range time

Photo By Eve Baker | Megan, 17, fires her father’s M-1 Garand rifle during a recreational firing session aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico.  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

01.20.2015

Story by Maj. Eve Baker 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

QUANTICO, Va. - Military members and their dependents, along with civilian employees of the base, now have the opportunity to participate in recreational shooting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Weapons Training Battalion ranges aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Martin Dankanich, Range Officer for WTBN, said everyone with base access is welcome to participate, but dependents must be at least 12 years old.

Recreational shooting sessions, or “rec fire,” on Tuesdays will be devoted to rifle, pistol and shotgun shooting on fixed targets, and Thursdays will be devoted to skeet shooting. Pistols up to .50 caliber, rifles up to .50 caliber, shotguns up to 12 gauge, and black powder weapons are all authorized.

Participants must bring their own weapons, ammunition, and hearing and eye protection, but will be given range time, targets and target backings, shot hole stickers, and use of heavy duty staplers to affix targets to carriages for only $2. If personnel bring all their own supplies, there is no fee, said Dankanich. Skeet shooting participants can bring their own clays or pay $3 to shoot clays pre-purchased by range personnel.

Col. Timothy Parker, commanding officer of WTBN, said he initiated the planning for the rec fire after assuming command of the battalion in May 2014. Parker had previously served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where rec fire was authorized and saw no reason why it could not be held here as well. Individuals from WTBN, Range Control, base G-3, the base commander’s office, and the staff judge advocate’s office were all involved in the planning and coordination of the endeavor.

Both Dankanich and Parker emphasized that rec fire will not interfere with the battalion mission or unit training; if all the ranges are occupied on a given rec fire day, rec fire would be cancelled for that day. Interested shooters can check the WTBN Facebook page or website for updates to the schedule and can sign up to receive e-mail updates by attending a rec fire session. No advance reservations are required to participate, and up to 50 target points may be available, depending on the range being used on a given day.

The rec fire sessions are supervised by Marines who volunteer to assist during their lunch hour, and all proceeds go the WTBN birthday ball fund to reduce ticket prices for the Marines. Dankanich said the fundraising aspect went through extensive legal review before the first rec fire session could be held, and it has been approved by the staff judge advocate and other base legal authorities.

Transportation of all weapons and ammunition to WTBN ranges must comply with MCB Order 8000.1C, Control and Use of Privately Owned Weapons, Firearms Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Pyrotechnics. The full text of the order is readily available through an internet search, and Dankanich advises all potential rec fire participants to read it in advance of bringing weapons aboard the base. Key points from the order include the following:

1) Weapons may not be brought into any federal building.

2) Weapons may not be stored in vehicles except during transportation to and from authorized hunting or shooting locations.

3) While being transported, weapons must be kept in the trunk of the vehicle unloaded, with ammunition and magazines stored in a separate container.

At the rec fire session held Dec. 30, numerous Marines and civilians were in attendance. Approximately 10 Marines from WTBN were onhand to run the range and assist shooters. Parker is enthusiastic about the rec fire sessions and feels they “will allow greater marksmanship opportunities for those stationed in the national capital region.” WTBN serves as the marksmanship proponent for the Marine Corps, and Parker said “We take this advocacy very seriously and want to take every opportunity to encourage and promote marksmanship.”

• Date Taken: 01.20.2015
• Date Posted: 01.20.2015 11:32
• Story ID: 152277
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US