Firing week builds recruit confidence, marksmanship

Photo By Cpl. Bridget Keane | Marksmanship coaches at Edson Range are dedicated to guiding and assisting recruits with applying the fundamentals of firing a weapon. For a week, they spend everyday with their recruits making sure that they are comfortable with their weapons and that they understand what they're doing.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

07.17.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Bridget Keane 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO — The smell of gunpowder filled the morning air as the recruits of Company B, 1st Recruit Training Battalion sent rounds down range during Firing Week, July 17, at Edson Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Learning and applying the fundamentals of marksmanship is a graduation requirement for recruits. The scores they receive during at recruit training transfer over to the fleet when they arrive at their first duty station as Marines.

Although learning to fire the M16-A4 service rifle is a requirement, it is also used as a way to build self-confidence in recruits who have never handled a weapon before.

“Firing Week is a big moral and confidence booster for the recruits,” said Cpl. Francisco Cortes, marksmanship coach, Weapons Company, Weapons and Field Training Battalion. “Especially if they’re in the infantry; it’ll give them self-assurance that they’ll be able to protect themselves and others.”

One week prior, Company B went through Grass Week. Primary marksmanship instructors dedicated themselves to teaching recruits the fundamentals of firing the M16-A4.

The recruits spent hours practicing positions, going through dry-fire, and went through a simulated course of fire in the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer.

“Once the recruits have learned the basics, it’s our job to help them relax and apply what they’ve learned,” said Cortes, an Anaheim, Calif. native.

The marksmanship coaches at Edson Range are there to serve one purpose, to guide and prepare each recruit for qualification day through constant safety, supervision, and encouragement.

“Usually the first day the recruits are nervous, even afraid of the weapon,” said Cortes. “We try to clear their mind by encouraging them and keeping the environment positive, which is something they’re not really familiar with from their drill instructors.”

Cortes explained that Firing Week gives the recruits a break from training because all they have to worry about is shooting at targets and qualifying.

“The coaches make us feel really relaxed when we’re learning to fire,” explained Recruit Mathew Guzman, Platoon 1025, Company B. “They’re able to explain to us the fundamentals in ways that we can relate to help us understand.”

Coaches also reiterate the importance of marksmanship training in the event a Marine gets called to combat. Every Marine most know how to operate a weapon so they can support the mission.

“Everything they learn in recruit training can be applied to their career in the fleet,” said Cortes. “If they remember the basics, they’ll be able to be successful.”

The recruits of Company B went through their rifle qualification July 20. With the continuous support and guidance from their marksmanship coaches, each recruit was able to qualify and move on with their journey in becoming a United States Marine.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2012
• Date Posted: 08.03.2012 14:15
• Story ID: 92636
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US