Marksmanship Updates
This MARADMIN provides an update on proposed changes to Marine Corps marksmanship training following a November 2002 summit. The Executive Oversight Steering Committee (EOS) did not approve the recommended single course of fire approach, and combined with operational commitments to Operation Iraqi Freedom, all proposed changes to the marksmanship program have been placed on hold. Annual marksmanship training will continue to be executed in accordance with current directives (MCO 3574.1J) until lessons learned are reviewed and potential improvements are assessed.
Issued: February 20, 2004
1. PURPOSE. TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING. 2. BACKGROUND. THE CG TECOM HOSTED A MARKSMANSHIP SUMMIT AT QUANTICO IN NOVEMBER 2002. ALL MARFORS, MEFS, BASES AND STATIONS WERE REPRESENTED TO DISCUSS MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING ISSUES. THE SUMMIT PRODUCED SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WOULD HAVE HAD DRAMATIC EFFECTS ON ANNUAL MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING. 3. THE APRIL 2003 EOS WAS BRIEFED ON THE SUMMIT'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND DID NOT AGREE WITH THE SINGLE COURSE OF FIRE RECOMMENDATION. THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THE BASIS FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS. ACCORDINGLY THIS DECISION COMBINED WITH THE OPERATING FORCES COMMITMENTS TO OIF, NECESSITATED THAT CHANGES TO THE MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM BE PLACED ON HOLD. 4. ANNUAL MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING WILL BE EXECUTED IAW CURRENT DIRECTIVES. WTBN WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP COURSES OF ACTION THAT WILL ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF EXECUTING FIELD FIRING REQUIREMENTS. RANGE IMPROVEMENTS, INNOVATIVE COACHING TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY ARE BEING PURSUED IN AN EFFORT TO ENHANCE OUR MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING. NO CHANGES ARE PLANNED TO CURRENT TRAINING UNTIL A REVIEW OF APPLICABLE LESSONS LEARNED IS COMPLETE AND AN ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES IS COMPLETE. 5. THIS BULLETIN IS APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE. 6. THIS MARADMIN REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.