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CMP shoot prepares Marines for deployment

US Marine Corps News

4/15/2010
By Lance Cpl. Abigail M. Wharton, Marine Corps Bases Japan

Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force are participating in Combat Marksmanship Program training in the Central Training Area in preparation for upcoming combat deployments.

The CMP is part of the pre-deployment training program and is designed to ensure Marines gain experience with moving, shooting, pivoting and engaging multiple targets.

The marksmanship training, which is run by the III MEF Advisor Trainer Group, includes blocks two, three and four of the CMP training, said Mark Frease, weapons and tactics instructor, III MEF ATG.

Block one, held on the known distance range and consisting of Tables One and Two, is an annual rifle qualification requirement for all Marines.

Marine Corps Order 3574.2K states CMP blocks are divided into fundamental rifle marksmanship, basic combat rifle marksmanship, intermediate combat rifle marksmanship and advanced combat rifle marksmanship.

Included in the training are shooting single and multiple targets while a shooter is stationary and while closing in on targets. It includes pivots of 90 and 180 degrees while the shooter is stationary or moving and speed re-loads and shooting from the kneeling and standing, Frease said.

The drills are conducted with targets at distances varying from three to 50 yards.

“This training is good-to-know information in case you ever deploy to a combat area,” said Cpl. Raul Hernandez, military policeman with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.

The CMP portion used in the training is comparable to the kind of shooting used while on patrol or during room clearing, Frease said.

Marine Corps Order 3574.2K states CMP should develop Marines into proficient combat marksman and introduce Marines to basic combat rifle manipulation and engagement techniques.

“This training teaches Marines how to engage targets quickly”, said Geoff Osborne, a weapons and tactics instructor with III MEF ATG. “It should make them able to work more quickly in real life since they practice shooting and engaging multiple targets while moving.”

“This is more advanced shooting, but it’s a requirement before deploying,” Frease said.

Hernandez said practicing all the movements was helpful.

“It was good to practice everything,” he said. “Especially the 180-degree turns since most Marines don’t get to practice those much on a regular basis.”

By allowing Marines to practice combat marksmanship skills, CMP better prepares Marines for engagements in a combat zone, Osborne said.

“The marksmanship training enhances Marines skills to effectively engage targets,” Osborne said.

The program only re-enforces the training that makes every Marine a rifleman by providing Marines with the opportunity to enhance their skills before they need them, added Frease.