MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Marines, whether they’re an administrative clerk or an infantryman, must always be ready for the time when they may be needed to pick up a rifle and engage a target.
Starting Oct. 1, the beginning of fiscal year 2006, Marines will be required to pass a new course of fire to qualify with their rifle. The new course is intended to be more realistic to the combat situations that Marines may be faced with while deployed in today’s modern conflict.
“Another reason the course of fire is being changed is because the percentages do not represent Marine Corps standards,” explained Staff Sgt. Charles G. Rogan, chief primary marksmanship instructor, K-Bay Range, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. “On the current course, Marines must only get thirty-eight percent of their shots into the black. The new course will lift those standards, making the minimum qualification standards higher. Also, the Marine Corps wanted to alleviate any confusion to Marines from what they fire in boot camp to what they fire in the fleet.”
The course of fire Marines must pass has undergone two major changes, one being with the scoring of the targets. Marines will now be scored the same way they were when they were qualifying in boot camp.
The current known distance course of fire is based on a 65-point system. In order to qualify, a Marine must accumulate a minimum of 25 points.
The new course is now going to be called “Table one” and gives Marines the opportunity to score 250 possible points, but in order to qualify in this course of fire, the Marine must accumulate a minimum of 190 points.
“Marines will be given five more rounds for the two hundred-yard slow fire,” said Staff Sgt. Charles G. Rogan, chief primary marksmanship instructor, K-Bay Range, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. “Since Marines are getting the extra rounds, they’ll also be given an extra five minutes to get all of their shots off.”
With the current scoring system, Marines receive one point each time a shot impacts the black portion of the target, with the exception of the 200-yard-line slow fire, in which Marines who hit center mass of the black portion receive two points.
The new known-distance course targets will be marked with lines showing different areas on the target that count for different amount of points. Any shot that hits the target will count for two points, other areas will be marked on the target that will determine whether the shooter will receive three, four or fives points for their shot.
“With the new system, Marines can no longer declare or qualify early,” said Rogan. “There will be no pre-qualification and Marines now have to qualify on Wednesday instead of Thursday, which means they’re only getting two days to actually site in their rifle.”
Another change being made is to the field-fire course. Field fire will now effect the Marines qualification score and whether the Marine qualifies or returns to his unit as “unqualified.”
The first day of table-two training, Marines will endure three hours of classroom training given by range personnel and then do a practice run of the course, said Rogan.
“It’s good, because Marines will start taking the field-fire training more serious,” said William E. Niepert, range coach and military policeman, Headquarters Battalion, Provost Marshal’s Office, Kaneohe Bay. “It’s the kind of training that will save a Marine’s life in combat, so it’s good that we’re starting to do more of it and push it more on the Marines.”
For the new table-two portion, Marines will receive 80 rounds. They will wear a flak jacket and Kevlar helmet and shoot from the 25- and 50-yard lines. The Marines are required to hit 75 percent of their targets at 25 yards and 50 percent at 50 yards to qualify on the field-fire portion.
“Another small change are the slings Marines will be required to use,” said Rogan. “Marines are going to have to start using three-point slings that support the weapon differently from the current slings. It’s a loop sling with a hasty sling concept. It will make it more difficult for non-infantry Marines who aren’t used to using the sling.”
Rogan, a San Carlos, Calif. native, explained how the positions Marines will be using would stay the same, with the exception of the standing.
“Currently, the Marine must be squared away at the target,” said Rogan. “But the new course will allow Marines to stand back or stand the way that is more comfortable to them. Also, Marines no longer have to utilize the ‘V’ grip on their rifle.”
“As for the changes, I think the field fire may make it a little more difficult,” said Niepert, a Mulberry Grove, Ill. native. “But all and all, I think the Marine Corps is going to see a rise in expert shooters because of the change of the known-distance course of fire and how it’s going to be scored.”
Rogan said he thinks Marines will not have a problem qualifying in three days, as long as they pay attention and allow themselves to learn.
“I think the first year will be hectic,” said Rogan. “Ranges aren’t set up yet, and everything isn’t ready. But after the first year, it will benefit the Marines a lot more — in the long run.”