Marine Marksmanship Training
- Thread starter Crazy Uncle Al Gore
- Start date
- Status
sailortoo
Member
I like the enthusiasm displayed by the poster! Good to hear. Back in the mid - 50's, at El Toro Marine Base qualifications, we qualified with M1 Garand, and 1911 (right out of the ship's small arms locker) - reference to the "no handguns" comment. Just imagine - the old pistol stance, fully erect, left hand in left hip pocket, torso right side to target(s), right hand fully extended to aim. Anyone shooting with that stance now days, would be laughed at. And just for bragging rights, five of us "Coasties" firing with about 70 marines - two of us qualified as expert pistol and rifle, only one marine did so. Made us suspect on a Marine Base! All the comments on this thread indicate a radical change in procedure and training, all for the best. 
Sailortoo
Sailortoo
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Realbigo...Are you (expletive deleted) up my Marine Corps?
chieftain
Member
Tuner,
you calling for a Sergeants Benevolence meeting behind the Barracks with Realbigo yet?
Standing by.
Fred
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Prayer meetin' starts promptly at 0900...
chieftain
Member
Aye aye, sir.
Fred
Fred
Crazy Uncle Al Gore
Member
Mr. 1973, the age limit for the Marine Corp is 28, but we had a reservist who was 34 get in on a waiver. The guy was older than the drill instructors and old enough to be my dad.
XDKingslayer
member
We had one of those too. He was tall and skinny and goofy. The D.I.s called him Lurch.
Man did they make a career out of him...
inherentical
Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2007
- Messages
- 753
Congrats, the USMC gave me my passion for weapons. I was a 2111 who had never shot anything other than a .22 before, and got to play with firearms for 4 years. I recall rifle training as taking a couple of week, but after graduation we went to Camp Geiger for a month. I can't remember what it was called, but we did some more advanced weapons training there. This was in June of '92. Basic Warrior Training, maybe? I know they've changed boot camp around a bit.
We still had the M60E3 in inventory, and I'll always remember to never squeeze the trigger longer than "Die, mother****er, die!"
We still had the M60E3 in inventory, and I'll always remember to never squeeze the trigger longer than "Die, mother****er, die!"
XDKingslayer
member
If it was June of 92 it was called MCT or Marine Combat Training.
I was there in Oct. 92 and that's what it was called. It had been called BWT prior I believe. Then after that it was off to MOS school.
I was there in Oct. 92 and that's what it was called. It had been called BWT prior I believe. Then after that it was off to MOS school.
ASM826
Member
Parris Island memories
I liked the range. I have good memories of going out to shoot for qualification, both as a recruit, and as an active duty Marine. It is my memories of my time as a recruit that I have been thinking of recently.
Reveille was 0445, florescent light filling the barracks and signaling the beginning of another day. No need for trash can bouncing or hollering. That was weeks ago, when we were new. Now, like trained animals, turning on the overhead lights is all it takes to bring us up out of the racks to the position of attention.
Chow and PT take an hour. By 0600 we are in uniform with our rifles marching out to the rifle range. In the late summer at Parris Island those early hours are the best part of the day. The sun comes up through the live oak trees, moisture sparkling on the spanish moss. The dampness in the grass begins to evaporate, and the heat of the day, though on it's way, has not yet arrived.
The platoon takes it's place, preparing to shoot off-hand (standing) at 200 yards. Each pair of recruits with a shooting coach, the Drill Instructors pacing along behind the line. There is a history here, deep traditions and institutional memory merging, the experiences of today blending back to all the men who came here before, shot on on these ranges, and passed on.
The recruits get into position, setting their slings, checking the adjustments on their sights. Another group of recruits has taken positions behind the berm where the targets are mounted. When everyone is safely in position, the red range flag is raised. In a tower behind the shooting line, the range officer surveys the line. In a practiced voice he rolls off the range commands that I can still hear so clearly.
Is the line ready? The line is ready. Ready on the right, ready on the left. All ready on the firing line. With a magazine and one round, lock and load. You may commence fire.
There is the sound of bolts closing, and then, as the targets appear, the first crack of rifle fire. There is a rhythm and pattern that everyone involved becomes familiar with. The minutes pass, and then come the commands, rolling out again.
Cease fire, cease fire. Unload, clear and lock. Set your weapons on safe.
The marksmanship instructors check the line, double checking each rifle. It is time to move back, another hundred yards. The sun is fully up now, the temperature rising through the 90s. There is more to do at 300 yards, and then at 500. Iron sights on an M-16 at 500 yards. Two weeks ago, it seemed impossible. Today, some recruit will shoot a perfect score at that distance.
These memories have come back to me this week because my son is at Parris Island, and he will shoot for qualification tomorrow
I liked the range. I have good memories of going out to shoot for qualification, both as a recruit, and as an active duty Marine. It is my memories of my time as a recruit that I have been thinking of recently.
Reveille was 0445, florescent light filling the barracks and signaling the beginning of another day. No need for trash can bouncing or hollering. That was weeks ago, when we were new. Now, like trained animals, turning on the overhead lights is all it takes to bring us up out of the racks to the position of attention.
Chow and PT take an hour. By 0600 we are in uniform with our rifles marching out to the rifle range. In the late summer at Parris Island those early hours are the best part of the day. The sun comes up through the live oak trees, moisture sparkling on the spanish moss. The dampness in the grass begins to evaporate, and the heat of the day, though on it's way, has not yet arrived.
The platoon takes it's place, preparing to shoot off-hand (standing) at 200 yards. Each pair of recruits with a shooting coach, the Drill Instructors pacing along behind the line. There is a history here, deep traditions and institutional memory merging, the experiences of today blending back to all the men who came here before, shot on on these ranges, and passed on.
The recruits get into position, setting their slings, checking the adjustments on their sights. Another group of recruits has taken positions behind the berm where the targets are mounted. When everyone is safely in position, the red range flag is raised. In a tower behind the shooting line, the range officer surveys the line. In a practiced voice he rolls off the range commands that I can still hear so clearly.
Is the line ready? The line is ready. Ready on the right, ready on the left. All ready on the firing line. With a magazine and one round, lock and load. You may commence fire.
There is the sound of bolts closing, and then, as the targets appear, the first crack of rifle fire. There is a rhythm and pattern that everyone involved becomes familiar with. The minutes pass, and then come the commands, rolling out again.
Cease fire, cease fire. Unload, clear and lock. Set your weapons on safe.
The marksmanship instructors check the line, double checking each rifle. It is time to move back, another hundred yards. The sun is fully up now, the temperature rising through the 90s. There is more to do at 300 yards, and then at 500. Iron sights on an M-16 at 500 yards. Two weeks ago, it seemed impossible. Today, some recruit will shoot a perfect score at that distance.
These memories have come back to me this week because my son is at Parris Island, and he will shoot for qualification tomorrow
ochmude
Member
ASM826, that was a fantastic description, and dead on accurate. My 2 weeks at the range back on the Island are among my fondest memories. It was wonderful to be able to get away from all the screaming, the quarterdecking, the pit calls, and everything else and empty your entire world of everything except the clear tip of that front sight post. Semper Fi to you, and best of luck to your son.
myrockfight
Member
The Marines
Just popping in to say, "Thanks for the service guys!" Y'all have done and are doing a terrific job. Those of you heading for the sandbox, keep your head down and be careful! We want to see you back here in one piece.
Just popping in to say, "Thanks for the service guys!" Y'all have done and are doing a terrific job. Those of you heading for the sandbox, keep your head down and be careful! We want to see you back here in one piece.
billbuchholz
Member
Nah, leave him alone. When he leaves TBS he will know EVERYTHING!<VBG>
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