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Marksmanship tips from the pros: 'It's all about the basics'

US Marine Corps News

7/20/2010
By Pfc. Christofer P. Baines, Headquarters Marine Corps

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The phrase “every Marine a rifleman” can be attributed to the level of skill a Marine possesses with a rifle. Not everyone is born a rifleman, but with proper training, a Marine marksmanship instructor can transform someone who has never fired a weapon into an expert shooter.

Members of the Marine Corps Shooting Team apply all of the fundamental s of marksmanship they learned during recruit training on a daily basis.

Practical application of the basics is critical to consistently shoot well, said Staff Sgt. Bradley J. Kretzing, a small arms weapons instructor with Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

Success on the range incorporates everything Marines learn during marksmanship classes, including sustainment of key principles prior to sending rounds downrange, he added.

Marksmanship is all about sharing knowledge, said Gunnery Sgt. James Otto, a member of the Marine Corps Shooting Team. The current marksmanship doctrine is based off of the lessons learned from the Corps’ finest marksmen and their competitive experience, where the fundamentals are practiced in the purest form.

The best way to improve your score on the rifle range is quite simple; just stick to the basics and have confidence in yourself and your weapon, he said.

“The main thing Marines foul up when shooting is not focusing on the front sight and just not applying all of the fundamentals of marksmanship,” Otto said. “Another thing is lack of time spent with the weapon, which affects confidence, and some Marines don’t take snapping-in seriously.”

Otto also said a few useful techniques while on the range include keeping it simple, applying the basics, believing in yourself and remembering that the coach is there for a reason.

Marksmanship tips from the Marine Corps Shooting Team:

* Maintain proper sight alignment and sight picture
* Focus on the front sight post
* Maintain proper stock weld and eye relief
* Know your battle sight zero and make proper adjustments
* Know your natural point of aim and maintain it
* Practice proper trigger pull (slow, steady squeeze)
* Control your breathing
* Do not anticipate the shot
* Take advantage of snapping-in time
* Make a mental checklist for snapping-in, so it becomes second nature
* One miss isn’t the end of the world
* If you think you need help with anything, talk to your coach