CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- “Is the firing line clear? The firing line is clear. Shooters moving from the 25-yard line to the 20-yard line with a hammered pair to the chest, begin on the command ‘target!’ Target!”
These commands could be heard echoing across Range 18 as Marines and sailors with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted a combat marksmanship program shoot on Camp Hansen Feb. 10.
The CMP Shoot is also known as Table III, which is required training for most Marines per Marine Corps Order 3574.2K, said Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Castaneda, officer-in-charge during the shoot and combat marksmanship instructor trainer for the regiment.
Table III consists of several courses of fire including firing under movement, firing after pivoting, firing at unknown distances and night fire.
“Without table III being conducted, it’s hard for the saying ‘every Marine a rifleman’ to be true,” said Castaneda.
During table I, the shooter practices and qualifies for long-distance shooting, while table II focuses on direct, fast-reacting firing. table III requires the shooter to fire as if in close-combat situations.
“Simulated live firing is beneficial to my combat skills as a whole,” said Lance Cpl. Scott J. Carmichael, a motor transport mechanic for the battery. “Table III helps bring a combat scenario to light in a different way than tables I and II.”
The CMP is often conducted by units to help the Marines prepare for combat, said Castaneda.
“This helps each person prepare and become more comfortable with shooting and moving,” said Staff Sgt. Monclova Rodriguez, the range safety officer for the shoot and radio chief for the communications section of the battery. “This gets the basics of combat shooting and helps the shooter realize the importance of safety while shooting next to his comrades.”
With today’s uncertain world situations, it is important for Marines to stay current with their rifle skills, said Rodriguez.
“If I was a staff noncommissioned officer, I would realize that after too many days of Marines constantly doing their specific jobs, they would begin to forget the essence of being a Marine, ‘every Marine a rifleman’,” said Carmichael. “This is why coming to the range more than once a year is always beneficial to each and every Marine.”