Firing Range

[Gabuleon]

*OOC*
If I had really had much time to bore everyone and clog down this post with the way the USMC recruit training and the fleet scores the rifle range.. it would have taken a few pages to write all that up. So I narrowed the scope of the post significantly.

Additionally,
From my actual experience when I went thru recruit training years ago and in the Fleet there are many factors to the rifle range that have the ability to affect your score. The biggest problem you can face out there.. is yourself. Weather (rain, heat, wind, etc) can all be accommodated for, but if you as a person are not confident, dont listen to training, dont practice what is taught from experience then you will fail.

Secondly the score yes should be based off of entirely the merit of the shooter. However it is a proven fact that the butt service you get can modify your score.
(this is based off of paris island in the 90's)
The butts are pulled by 2 recruits (usually in your own platoon)
The butts are metal rusty pully system with 2 carriages one on each side so that when one is up, the other is down.
The Targets are like 5' x 5' wooden frame with a new target glued/tacked onto the existing targets from prior recruit training cycles.

Marines are taught to never screw another marine over (so if something is questionable.. give them the benefit of the doubt) i.e. if some how 2 rounds on a slow fire (1 round at a time scoring) hit your target, the pit only marks the highest one.

(Now granted if the line coaches/ncos are doign their job of checking the recruits log books and seeing the scoring being perfect when the recruit is not right on in his book then they may question/ test the honesty of the butt crew by making the coach fire in, in an attempt to catch a butt crew who is working to give a perfect score.) But for the most part, I have seen in my experience where butt crews have paid attention to teh scoring and if the recruit on the line would have come in 2-5 points under the next badge up, they will spot the target to get the points to him.

Shouldn't happen but it does.

However I have in recruit training myself scored expert and even in the fleet.

As for the character in this that I am RP'ing... he has prior military experience that was never asked for, played out, nor described prior to hitting the range (feel free to check the post in recruit training for validity) so I can understand being called out for this, but usually before you call someone out you check the background first. As for the "perfect marine" you are quite right.. no one is perfect lest of all Marines. But there is honestly no point in getting upset over a post about a perfect score as it can happen. What makes one wonder is if the person can back the post up with intelligence about the subject.

And to answer your question General
USMC Known Distance Course of Fire
STAGE ONE:
Distance Time Rounds Type of Fire Position
200 Yards 20 Min 5 Slow Fire Sitting
5 Slow Fire Kneeling
5 Slow Fire Standing

Notes: During this stage of fire, the Marines are only allowed to load 5 rounds at a time before making a complete safe weapon and changing positions. The total time is 20 minutes for all 15 rounds.

A sling is allowed for all positions except for standing. During the standing position the shooter may either have a tight parade sling, or take it off the weapon.

STAGE TWO:

Distance Time Rounds Type of Fire Position
200 Yards 70 Sec 5/5 Rapid Standing to kneeling

Notes: 5/5= a tactical reload. The Marine is only allowed to load 5 rounds in each magazine. Therefore, the Marine has to reload for the second magazine. Makes for some interesting groups if your not careful to get that natural point of aim back.

A rapid fire means just that; Firing rapidly. (You only have 70 second to get them all out!)
STAGE THREE:
Distance Time Rounds Type of Fire Position
300 yards 5 Min 5 Slow Kneeling


STAGE FOUR:
Distance Time Rounds Type of Fire Position
300 Yards 70 Sec 5/5 Rapid Standing to kneeling

The position change from standing to kneeling is one of the better parts of the range. It really tests the Marines ability to adjust their firing position quickly, just like they might in combat. Drop to the ground and fire.
STAGE FIVE:
Distance Time Rounds Type of Fire Position
500 Yards 10 Min 10 Slow Prone

This yard line is often referred to as "gravy points" because the you really get to take your time here.  

[Gabuleon]

oh and scoring is

Range Scoring

The scoring for the range runs like this:

Expert: 40 -65

Sharpshooter: 35-39

Marksman: 25-34  

[EagleZero_Xe]

My apologies to you, Gabuleon. Your knowledge is very...extensive to say the least. As for my lack of tact, General, I was just RPing. I wasn't serious. I was trying to follow the code of breaking down the recruit and rebuilding the warrior. Sorry that my ideals got in the way. I promise it won't happen again.  

[Gabuleon]

**ooc**
No.. tis quite alright slash. I agree that this dialogue could have been avoided if I had avoided the term "perfect" in my previous post. But as I was pressed for time (being at work and having a meeting to attend at the timeframe of the posting) I did not think to proof my post for spelling, grammar, and little things like that. Simply as these posts arent really moving along as RL probably limits the time for everyone to log in I try to post replies as quickly as I can after I am able to, to try to help further along the dialogue.  

[Yamagashi]

Yeah, I went to Parris Island and stayed in the Weapons & Field Barracks for a week (With my NJROTC Unit). My DI was SSgt. Kirby, and the females DI was Sgt. Joint (5 foot 2 and mean as hell.) We took a tour of Chosin range I believe, and fired the simulator M16A2's. It was fun.  

[Gabuleon]

**ooc**
The simulators are ok for training of positions and to get used to how they fire if you have never fired before but when it boils down to qualifying, your weapon (how well its cleaned, plays a big part of how well it has the potential of doing. I remember my weapon was never really good on the first few shots as I had cleaned it too good and needed to build up just a little to wear it in.) Part of the reason why in the fleet that I felt the the prep fire of 1 round for all in the infantry platoon prior to heading out on an field excercise over the line of departure was a good thing. Not only did it check for weapon functionality but gave just a little grime to ensure that things were more accurate.  

[Yamagashi]

Hmm thats interesting. To tell you the truth, Ive always prefered the AK-47 over the M16 series. You never have to clean it and it never breaks smile  

[EagleZero_Xe]

I agree the AK's are very field-reliable. Hell, you can stuff the barrel full of mud, and the the damn thing will still shoot.  

[iBasketball]

True but I like the M4..  

[EagleZero_Xe]

What makes that decision for you? What is it about the M-4 that trumps the AK to you?  

[Yamagashi]

M4..small, accurate and versatile, but in my opinion weak (in terms of stopping power and penetration.) And a piece of unreliable junk. AK, accurate enough to get the job done, good stopping power, and damn reliable.  

[Gabuleon]

**ooc**

Cough** Cough.. Fully Auto... Cough**Cough
Cough** Cough.. uses same Cough**Cough 7.62 rounds... Cough**Cough
Hack** Cough.. Not as accurate Cough ** at long distances **  

[Yamagashi]

The M4 fires the same 5.56x45mm Cartrige as the M16A2 , not the 7.62x39mm that the AK-47 fires. Also, it is proven that almost all modern military engagements occur within 200 yards and the AK's effective range is 328 yards. So I dont need anymore range or accuracy than that. Also, I dont care for fully automatic fire at all in a rifle, only if its a MG.  

[iBasketball]

That is your opinion but to me as a medic i really don't fight alot but i heal most of you...to me I just need it as a Defence weapon or when my squad needs me to help them to open fire!  

[Yamagashi]

Yeah, the M4 is small and versatile (very useful for using in vehicles and small spaces.) and has excellent accuracy for a carbine. But I still prefer an AK.