Faces in the Ranks - Cpl. Trevor Keith

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dana Beesley | We asked members of the MCRD Parris Island Shooting team about their experience as competitors and the importance of marksmanship in the Marine Corps. Cpl. Trevor Keith Primary MOS: 0311/Rifleman Basic Warrior Training Instructor at Page Field Age: 24 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. "I shot recreationally before the Marine Corps. I never competed, but I’ve always known how to use a weapon through my experience hunting. My favorite weapon I’ve shot is the M1 Garand, because of its history and the tradition behind it. For me, shooting is fun, but as far as the infantry goes, it will always be important to my work. Marksmanship is what we were founded upon; if you can’t hit your target, you can’t engage the enemy. It’s either shoot or be shot. Teaching marksmanship to recruits is all about the fundamentals, the brilliance is in the basics. If you focus on techniques, that’s all that really matters. It’s not that we’re better than anybody else because we’re on the team, we’re just really good at the basics. If I could improve the Marine Corps Marksmanship program, I would bring back iron sights. You have to learn on iron sights first before you go to an optic, because that’s fundamentals at its basic point. Those optics could fail you in combat so you’re going to have to be able to use those skills. If I could give advice to recruits or future Marines on marksmanship, I would stress the importance of positioning and making your body comfortable with your weapon. It’s not just about pulling the trigger."  

PORT CLINTON, OH, UNITED STATES

08.01.2018

Story by Sgt. Dana Beesley   

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island           

We asked members of the MCRD Parris Island Shooting team about their experience as competitors and the importance of marksmanship in the Marine Corps.

Cpl. Trevor Keith, 24, Orlando, Florida
0311, Rifleman
Instructor at Page Field

"I shot recreationally before the Marine Corps. I never competed, but I’ve always known how to use a weapon through my experience hunting.

My favorite weapon I’ve shot is the M1 Garand, because of its history and the tradition behind it.

For me, shooting is fun, but as far as the infantry goes, it will always be important to my work.

Marksmanship is what we were founded upon; if you can’t hit your target, you can’t engage the enemy. It’s either shoot or be shot.

Teaching marksmanship to recruits is all about the fundamentals, the brilliance is in the basics. If you focus on techniques, that’s all that really matters. It’s not that we’re better than anybody else because we’re on the team, we’re just really good at the basics.

If I could improve the Marine Corps Marksmanship program, I would bring back iron sights. You have to learn on iron sights first before you go to an optic, because that’s fundamentals at its basic point. Those optics could fail you in combat so you’re going to have to be able to use those skills.

If I could give advice to recruits or future Marines on marksmanship, I would stress the importance of positioning and making your body comfortable with your weapon. It’s not just about pulling the trigger."

• Date Taken: 08.01.2018
• Date Posted: 08.01.2018 17:32
• Story ID: 286828
• Location: PORT CLINTON, OH, US