Ideas & Issues (The aIr-Ground Team) Marine Corps Infantry Marksmanship Realistic challenging training by MSgt Marc J. Chaplin

arine Corps infantry con- Marksmanship Program, which encom- stantly searches to find passes Marines at all levels from across advantages over adversar- >MSgt Chaplin is the Training and all MOSs. Entry-level training Marines M Readiness Chief, II MEF Information ies on today’s battlefield in learn marksmanship through a build- addition to potential threats that may be Group. ing block approach and Marines in the found on battlefields of the future. Some operating forces sustain marksmanship of these advantages are technological ing must reflect its uncertainty, stress, skills during Annual Rifle Training. and equipment based, such as small un- disorder, and violence. We will train as There are currently no specific training manned aircraft system (sUAS), more we fight—decentralized—relying on or standards above the MCCMP that accurate and longer ranging weapons mission-type orders and the initiative exist within the infantry community. such as the M27 Infantry Automatic of individuals. The purpose of this article is to define Rifle, and the M3 Carl Gustaf Multi- A higher level of training is required how the Marine Corps conducts marks- role Anti-armor Anti-tank Weapon to shoot, move, and communicate ef- manship training and introduce ele- System, in addition to the integration fectively for infantry units operating ments from civilian marksmanship and of tablets for communication and navi- away from support in these type of show how they have potential to benefit gation. Other advantages exist in the environments. the infantry community by developing way Marines train in combined arms Marine Corps marksmanship is gov- infantry-specific marksmanship train- and maneuver through all levels of erned by the Marine Corps Combat ing and standards. the MAGTF, from the team level all the way through the MEF level. All of these advantages are in an effort to gain or maintain overmatch in capabili- ties over the enemy. It is impossible to fully replicate a combat environment in training, but the Marine Corps ex- hausts all means to make training as realistic and challenging as possible. The infantry is focusing on building a more professional, lethal, thinking Marine as who can effectively operate as a member of a squad or small unit in complex, distributed environments. This is in keeping with the directives outlined by the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Neller, in his White Letter Seize the Initiative: I expect leaders to challenge Marines with realistic training under adverse conditions against thinking enemies. Firearms manufacturers and law enforcement academies can provide sources for state-of- Combat is the supreme test. Our train- the-art marksmanship training. (Photo by author.)

26 www.mca-marines.org/gazette Marine Corps Gazette • May 2021 afforded the opportunity to enhance their marksmanship skills by challeng- ing themselves through competition. Marines then bring knowledge, inter- est, and enhanced marksmanship skills back to their respective units, which increases marksmanship proficiency across the Marine Corps. The CIAP is not mandatory for any individual or units to participate in, registration is all voluntary. Over the past decade, CIAP matches have altered their courses of fire from bullseye or National Rifle Associ- ation-style matches to action shooting, which is more of a combat style match in an effort to make the CIAP more appealing to combat arms MOSs. The most recent CIAP matches introduces Marines to dynamic and challenging stages of fire with the pistol, rifle, and Noteworthy civilian rifle combat marksmanship programs are supported by the National Rifle shotgun. Shooters fire the courses of fire Association and Civilian Marksmanship Program competitions. (Photo by author.) after receiving a stage brief detailing the specific stage rules. They will be The Marine Corps trains marks- MCCMP, and it is intended for infantry penalized for things like for shooting on manship across the institution using a and forward deployed Marines. Marines no-shoot targets or engaging targets out progressive method consisting of four are taught how to incorporate natural of sequence. Stages consist of shooting tables. The MCCMP exist to progress and artificial support into their shooting on moving and stationary steel, clay, and the individual Marine from the funda- positions for stability in addition to day, paper targets while running, finding mentals of marksmanship to advanced night, and unknown distance firing. cover, and advancing toward the threat. combat shooting by ensuring service There are several components from Individual stages are timed with the standards are reviewed, practiced, and civilian marksmanship that have the fastest time equating to the best score. evaluated. The objective at the comple- potential to be incorporated into de- Civilian marksmanship schools, tion of training is the Marine’s ability to veloping infantry specific training academies, and range training facili- competently and effectively employ the and standards. Competitive shooting ties are other areas where the civilian service rifle under varying conditions organizations like Three-Gun Na- sector rivals military training. Sig Sauer (MCO 3574.2L). Tables 1 and 1A are tion, International Practical Shooting Academy in Epping, NH, is a prime known as Fundamental Rifle Marks- Confederation, the National Rifle As- example of one of these civilian acad- manship (FRM). The purpose of tables sociation, and Civilian Marksman- emies where law enforcement agencies 1 and 1A is to impart the fundamental ship Program competitions are areas and military units train. They host knowledge and skills necessary for safe where civilian marksmanship excels. 77 different programs of instruction and accurate firing of the rifle. This The closet program that the Marine (POI) ranging from Handgun 101, to training will form the basis for all other Corps has to rival these civilian com- Advanced Precision Scoped Rifle, to training with the service rifle MCO( petitive programs is the Competition in High Risk Executive Protection Op- 3574.2L). Table 1 is where Marines Arms Program (CIAP). The primary erations, to Mechanical and Shotgun learn fundamentals, effects of weath- objective of the program CIAP is to Breaching Instructor Courses. They er, firing positions, and qualify on the stimulate interest and desire for self- train various U.S., foreign, conven- known-distance range. Table 2 begins improvement in marksmanship and to tional, and special operations units, in the transition from the known-distance enhance proficiency within the Marine addition to various local and federal law range to combat marksmanship; this Corps in the use of individual small enforcement agencies. The three types is where Marines shoot incapacitating arms by refining precision marksman- of marksmanship training methods shots and multiple shots in rapid suc- ship skills and combat marksmanship that Sig Sauer Academy focuses on are cession from the unsupported combat skills through advanced marksmanship command to shot, search to shot and, kneeling and standing positions. Tables training and competition (MCBUL decision to shot. The vast majority of 3 and 4 build from the basis of FRM 3591). Marines of all skill levels who marksmanship training for the novice and the basic combat shooting of table participate in CIAP matches receive in- level courses like Handgun and Rifle 2. These two tables are the Advanced struction and coaching from the Marine 101 is centered on command to shot. Combat Rifle Marksmanship portion of Corps Shooting Team members and are This is where shooters receive an audi-

Marine Corps Gazette • May 2021 www.mca-marines.org/gazette 27 tory signal or visual que, which is the at simulators like the Confl ict Kinetics indication to the shooter of when to Gunfi ghter Gym. Utilizing the targets What Will engage the targets. They utilizes this to initiate engagements, target feedback, type of training for instructing at the and forcing shooters to make decisions Your Legacy novice level courses to teach and sustain in training are essential components fundamental skills in a similar way that to decision to shot training. This type Be? the MCCMP uses FRM in Table 1. of training is also in accordance with The next step in training methodol- the Gen Neller’s vision to “[g]et more ogy is the search to shot method. Inter- ‘reps and sets’ by training in simulated It only takes a mediate courses at the Sig Sauer Acad- environments and embrace experimen- emy like the Master Rifl e Instructor tation to test and validate new concepts. little planning to Course and courses specifi cally tailored We must leverage technology and ideas toward law enforcement agencies are to make us faster, smarter, and more leave a legacy that where this method is heavily featured. lethal.” The primary reasons that Sig This is where the shooter assesses his or Sauer applies this method in their ad- reflects you and her environment and only engages pre- vanced-level courses is because it is the designated targets or targets that meet most realistic style of marksmanship your values. When a certain criteria. This type of training training. It also empowers shooters to exercises fundamental marksmanship make decisions and mistakes in a safe you make a planned skills while also training cognitive abili- environment and learn from those deci- gift to the Marine ties, decision making, and discipline. sions while continuing to fi ght through One of the main reasons that law en- the scenario. Corps Association, forcement agencies train extensively in A Marine Corps infantry squad has the search to shot method is because it the capability to offer a massive amount you help us fulfill reinforces positive identifi cation before of lethal fi repower to any fi ght when engaging the target. Some examples of properly trained, equipped, and em- our commitment to predesignated targets are targets with ployed. The potential fi repower of an weapons, cell phones, radios, military infantry squad with all members fi ring serve the men and uniforms, civilians, shapes, or certain is conservatively estimated at 400 well- colors. This method demands more aimed rifl e and automatic rifl e shots and women who protect from the shooter because it tests both 15 rounds from the grenade launchers decision making and marksmanship per minute (MCWP 3-11). The Marine our freedom. skills. Corps has an opportunity to expand the The decision to shot method is the MCCMP or develop infantry specifi c next progression in marksmanship training standards by building upon For more information, training used at Sig Sauer Academy’s resources that already exist in the ci- advanced level courses. Their advanced vilian sector. Taking full advantage of visit our website level courses are made up of programs programs like the CIAP is another av- mca-marines.org/ of instruction like the Advanced SWAT enue toward improving marksmanship Operator and the Active Shooter Re- training within the infantry. As Gen legacy-gift-planning sponse Instructor Course. These type Neller wrote regarding improving the of courses are where elite units like way Marines train, “As we shape the the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Navy Marine Corps for tomorrow, we must SEALs, and Army Green Berets train. evaluate and aggressively experiment Advanced marksmanship techniques are with new equipment and ideas.” This not the focus of these level of courses, validates the importance of improving they are still reinforced and trained marksmanship training within the to, but the focus is on training armed infantry community and maximizing professionals to fi ght a living, thinking the lethality of squads and small units enemy complex environments. Decision who will operate isolated and away from to shot training puts the shooter in a support at times. Marksmanship is one position to make a decision on how and of the most basic and fundamental ele- if to engage the target or targets. Some ments in preparing the infantry to fi ght If you have already included MCA examples of how this is accomplished and it deserves to be a priority in train- in your will or estate plan, please is through the use of robotic moving ing. let us know by contacting our targets, force-on-force live fi re train- office at(703) 640-0175 ing with sim-munitions, and training

28 www.mca-marines.org/gazette Marine Corps Gazette • May 2021