Shoot to Kill: 2nd LAR practices combat marksmanship

Photo By Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara | Marines fire at targets during a combat marksmanship program at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug 31, 2017. The Marines took part in the routine qualification to maintain their combat skills for mission readiness. The Marines are with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas Guevara)  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

08.31.2017

Story by Pfc. Nicholas Guevara 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance conducted combat marksmanship program designed to hone their skills for future operations at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2017.
The qualification consisted of an unknown distance range and a close-quarter range which required the Marines to shoot targets at various distances and to engage targets at close range.
“It’s an annual qualification that goes along with rifle marksmanship,” said Staff Sgt. Dustin Kneut, the 2nd LAR battalion assistant operations chief. “Unlike the annual rifle range requirements, these are unknown distance targets ranging from 50 to 500 meters, as well as other close-distance engagements while moving this kind of marksmanship applies more to the type of war we are fighting today.”
The Marines of 2nd LAR need to be able to adapt to any changes they may face in a real-world mission, Kneut added. The targets which are placed at unknown distances throughout the ranges simulate how targets will be while out in theatre.
“Given our expeditionary nature, it’s important to know how to shoot at both close and long ranges,” said Kneut. “Scouts will dismount from the vehicles and face situations that can be very different from one time to another.”
Marines from different job fields in the unit participated in the routine qualification, including the drivers of the Light Armored Vehicles, gunners, and scouts.
“From 2009 to 2011 in Afghanistan, most of the crewmen were dismounted and used as scouts for patrols,” said Kneut. “They need to be just as ready as any other scout.”
All members of the unit train in the CMP because it’s hard to know what to expect when anything can happen, Kneut went on to say. The ranges will help with mission readiness and 2nd LAR for future success.
2nd LAR will continue this training to better prepare them for whatever scenario they may face in the future.

• Date Taken: 08.31.2017
• Date Posted: 09.06.2017 18:37
• Story ID: 247269
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US