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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Weapons Training Battalion held the 2015 Combat Division matches on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune at Stone Bay from Oct. 13 through 15 in which Marines from different units competed in timed shooting events using three different weapons systems.
"The division matches consist of four action stages for Marines to engage with multiple weapon abilities on an action course spanning over three days," said Staff Sgt. Richer Nelson, head coach of the combat shooting team for WTBN.
The Marines were volunteers selected from their prospective units from Marine Corps Installations East. They honed their skills with the M4-A4 service rifle, M9 pistol and M1014 shotgun prior to the event to prepare for the competition.
"Just by experiencing this sort of competition and going through it will increase their lethality with any of those three weapon systems," said Nelson.
The competition pushed Marines to be tactically proficient for them to be able to constantly make timely decisions and have well-aimed shots on the correct targets.
"This competition really tests your skills more than anything," said Lance Cpl. Connor Boscamp, an engineer equipment mechanic with the 2nd Marine Air Wing and a participant in the competition. "When you’re switching weapon systems, it requires you to think on your feet."
The shooting drills were combat-scenario oriented rather than competition based. Competitors sprinted full speed from station to station, displaying what they’ve learned from the many hours of practice.
"When I first got to see the range, I had no idea what it was going to be like," said Boscamp. "It makes you just take in a lot of different variables."
The course included no-shoot targets which would disqualify any shooter that hit them. The shooters with the best overall times would go on to win the competition.
"They’ve been able to come and see what their strengths and weaknesses are," said Nelson. "A lot of Marines don’t get to use the shotgun or pistol, so when they come out here and get classes for the first time they’re really excited to do it."
This was the first division shooting competition that incorporated three different weapon systems on Camp Lejeune.
"I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to do this, being a junior Marine in the Marine Corps," said Boscamp. "I think it would benefit any Marine that would come out here and do this competition."
The winning team was Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 from Marine Corps Air Station New River, with the lowest overall times in the competition.
Having learned from this competition, Nelson hopes Marines who competed will be able to share this learning experience with their peers.
"You’re not going to get this kind of experience anywhere else," said Boscamp.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.26.2016 11:46 |
| Story ID: | 187071 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE , NC, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Weapons Training Bn hosts 3-gun competition, by Sgt Sean Berry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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