MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- PUULOA TRAINING FACILITY - Headquarters Battalion Marines were well represented in this year's Pacific Division Matches, winning nearly half of the medals at the rifle and pistol meet that concluded at Puuloa Rifle Range, Feb. 25.
During the last four weeks, competitors have fired competition rifle that consists of 20 rounds standing, slow fire, at 200 yards; 10 rounds sitting, rapid fire, at 200 yards; 10 rounds, prone, rapid fire at 300 yards; and 20 rounds, prone, slow fire, at 500 yards.
The pistol competition consisted of one-handed shooting from 25 yards. The first stage consisted of 10 rounds in 10 minutes of slow fire. The second stage consisted of 10 rounds of timed fire using two magazines with 20 seconds per string. The third stage consisted of 10 rounds of rapid fire using two magazines with 10 seconds per string.
According to Master Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth M. Roxburgh, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Marine Corps shooting teams, the competitors - which included retired and active duty Marines, civilian police, airmen, Sailors, and even a few Coast Guardsmen - spent the majority of the four weeks training for the actual two-day shooting event.
"The actual competition started on February 23, with a preliminary day of fire, which determines which target and on what relay the competitors will shoot from," said Roxburgh. "From there, the two days of scores are combined for an aggregate total score. The top ten percent of the competitors will receive medals."
This year, four medals were awarded, along with recognition to the first runner up, known as the "first leather," who receives a leather sling for his efforts, and the "high tyro," which is the highest shooter who has never shot in a division match before.
For a Marine to be recognized as a "distinguished shooter," he must accumulate 30 total match points, according to Roxburgh, the Marine Corps' oldest active duty, distinguished Marine. Roxburgh was distinguished as a rifle shooter in 1978, and in 1985 with the pistol.
"Every division match medal a Marine earns brings him that much closer to distinguished status," according to Roxburgh. "A gold medal is worth ten points, a silver is worth eight, and a bronze medal is worth six. Our top rifle shooter this year is already distinguished, and cannot win any more medals."
Staff Sgt. Jason Benedict of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, out-shot every competitor with a total rifle score of 583, and 37 "V" shots. He received a distinguished certificate from the Commandant of the Marine Corps in lieu of 1st Gold for this match.
Benedict's first division match was the Eastern Division Matches in 1997, and he became distinguished with the rifle in 2002.
The "1st Gold" medal in the rifle competition went to Cpl. Dan M. Brumley, an armorer with Headquarters Battalion, MCB Hawaii. Brumley shot a total score of 568, and 25 Vs.
"I felt like I was shooting pretty good," said Brumley, after being informed of his win. "I didn't think I was going to win a medal, but I definitely knew I was doing well."
This match was Brumley's second. He received 3rd Bronze and "high tyro" honors in last year's Pacific Division Matches; he hopes to continue on to eventually become distinguished with the rifle.
"I'd really like to do better and win something with the pistol," said Brumley. "I'm doing alright, but obviously not good enough."
Placing first with the pistol, and winning 1st Gold with a score of 562, and 10 Xs, was another Headquarters Battalion armorer, Sgt. Ricardo Fernandez.
"I came out here with the mindset that I was coming home with a medal," said Fernandez. "That combined with 110-percent concentration put me on top. I'd love to come out here every year, if I could, to become distinguished some day."
The two overall winners, Fernandez and Benedict, were both awarded a Secretary of the Navy M1 Garand trophy rifle at an awards ceremony at the base theater here Feb. 27.
Weeks of training and a couple days of intense competition fire paid off for the MCB Hawaii Marines, who look forward to another friendly competition next year at Puuloa Rifle Range.