REDEFINING MARINE RIFLEMEN

Jan 2019 Announcement : Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition weapons are the M16A4/M4 with Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), and the M9 service pistol. 

VIDEO: In this episode of the Marine Minute, Cpl. Taryn Escott tells us about the upcoming changes to annual rifle qualification.

Background.  Since 1901, the CIAP has provided the Marine Corps with the skilled and experienced marksmen necessary to support a productive marksmanship training program and success in battle.  The primary objective of the program is to stimulate interest and desire for self-improvement in marksmanship and to enhance proficiency within the Marine Corps in the use of individual small arms by refining precision marksmanship skills and combat marksmanship skills through advanced marksmanship training and competition.  Division Matches, first held in 1910, and Combat Matches, first held at all four regional sites in 2015, have provided Marines with a venue to train and hone valuable marksmanship skill sets.  These matches have now been combined into a single marksmanship competition designed to provide Marines with comprehensive marksmanship training through competition.  Each Marine attending the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions will complete their annual rifle and annual pistol training in addition to receiving advanced marksmanship training.

3.  Information.  Quotas of participants for the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions are assigned to ensure the maintenance of a population base of skilled marksmen within individual commands and the Marine Corps.  Participation requirements are found in reference (a) enclosure (1) chapter (1).

4.  Participating units may send individuals or entire teams to the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competition.  In order to compete for the team trophies, units will enter teams comprised of a minimum of one firing officer (not waiverable), one sergeant or below who has never shot the Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions, Division Matches, or Combat Matches before (known as a tyro), and two Marines of any rank, at least one of which must be enlisted.  Basic competitor requirements are contained in reference (a).  Participants will also fulfill their annual rifle and pistol qualification training requirements.  Marines who participate in the 2019 Marine Corps Marksmanship Competitions will receive the following two-week training package:

4.a.  Week one:  classroom instruction, dry fire, establishing zeroes, live-fire training to develop advanced shooting positions, enhanced individual marksmanship practice, and individual competition.

4.b.  Week two:  instruction on advanced pistol and rifle positions, firing while moving, dynamic target engagement, individual competition with rifle and pistol, team competition, Annual Rifle Qualification, Annual Pistol Qualification and awards ceremony.

5.  Marines should report during the morning of the first day of the specified training period, found in paragraph 6.a.1, in order to allow time to draw necessary equipment and perform required administrative procedures before the start of the training, instruction and competition.