CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- With cold wind and rain beating against them, Marines stand on line waiting the command – targets! Moments after receiving the command, Marines pivot and fire two rounds into their paper targets’ chests.
Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted intermediate combat rifle marksmanship training on Camp Hansen Dec. 5 to improve their combat effectiveness.
“We are conducting both day and night fire,” said 2nd Lt. Mikhail J. Vaval, a platoon commander with the regiment. “This training evolution is for the Marines to be able to focus on and improve their combat marksmanship.”
The training helps increase combat marksmanship by offering different scenarios for engaging targets, according to Pfc. Begimai Dzhaparkizi, an automotive organizational mechanic with the regiment.
“This training helps increase combat marksmanship skills by simulating situations we as Marines may encounter in a combat situation,” said Dzhaparkizi. “In combat, you will not have a yardage line telling you the exact distance to your target.”
This type of training is beneficial for all Marines, according to Lance Cpl. James G. Nanney Jr., a motor vehicle operator with the regiment.
“The last time I did a shoot like this was at Twentynine Palms before deploying to Afghanistan,” said Nanney. “For the Marines who just got to the fleet, this training should be a refresher from Marine combat training and being able to train like this shortly after arriving at their first duty station will help them maintain the skills and knowledge they have been taught.”
As the Marines fire their weapons in different positions, they learn better weapons handling techniques, according to Dzhaparkizi.
“By practicing firing from behind cover or shooting through a window, you learn how to position both yourself and your weapon, so you can effectively engage the enemy,” said Dzhaparkizi. “When firing and moving, you have to pay attention to both your target and your fellow Marines to ensure you do not put other Marines in danger.”
Another benefit of the training is the chance to get out of their everyday routine and let them focus on being a rifleman, according to Vaval.
“Every Marine is a rifleman, and that is the focal point of this entire training,” said Vaval. “The Marines love the training. When we got out here it was cold and rainy, but that did not dampen their spirits. They were able to put a lot of rounds downrange and were excited to be here.”