CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The sharp report of rifles echoed through the valley near Las Pulgas as Marines from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) qualified in the Combat Marksmanship Program here, Nov. 22.
The Marines from qualified in the Combat Marksmanship Program as part of the Pre-deployment Training Program before the unit deploys to Afghanistan next year. The CMP includes a 25-yard engagement, movement and pivot drills. But before the Marines qualify they must find the Battle Sight Zero of their rifle optics.
To do this, the Marines lay in the prone position at the 25-yard line to minimize human error in accuracy. The riflemen fire enough rounds to create a definable group of shot-holes on the paper targets. Once all shooters have fired their rounds, they walk to their targets and make adjustments to their optics.
The Marines qualifying are not alone on the firing range. Instructors and safety officers ensure a safe and beneficial day for the Marines to qualify on the range.
“The purpose of the CMP is to have Marines qualified in [combat] marksmanship before their deployment,” said Sgt. Michael A. Kelly, chief, Marksman Training Unit, CLR-17, 1st MLG. “But it’s also very important for the Marines to be familiar and confident in their issued rifles, and if they listen to our instruction they learn to be safer and more accurate marksmen.”
The instruction was very helpful, said Pfc. Michael Isabelle, field wireman, Wire Platoon, Communications Company, 1st MLG (FWD).
“This is the first time I’ve shot this rifle,” said Isabelle. “I’m glad I can get familiar with it and use it before I deploy. Every Marine is a rifleman so it’s important that we all are capable of engaging the enemy in combat.”
It wasn’t just the inexperienced junior Marines qualifying during the shoot; experienced Marines with years of service under their belts also qualified.
“I enjoyed the shoot. It was good training for all of 1st MLG,” said Maj. Gabriel A. Perez, commanding officer, Headquarters and Support Company, 1st MLG (FWD). “Even experienced shooters should come out and refresh their marksmanship skills. After firing a few rounds, I feel more comfortable with my rifle.”
After the group of Marines returned from the firing line with smiles on their faces and a little mud on their knees and elbows, they were now qualified to engage enemies with their rifles in combat. The Marines who had never fired their rifles and those who have fired hundreds of rounds were both confident and capable with their sights now set closer to the deployment.
| Date Taken: |
11.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
11.29.2011 13:44 |
| Story ID: |
80672 |
| Location: |
CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: |
117 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, Marines shoot for combat accuracy, by Cpl Timothy Childers, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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