T-24-28 (August 10-14) Grass Week

T-24-28 (August 10-14) Grass Week

It's "Grass Week" for the recruits.  This is at Camp Pendleton.  The recruits are discovering the M16A2 service rifles.  They will learn to take care, be safe with, and be as accurate as possible with the rifles in all firing situations.

They are being taught now by PMIs (Primary Marksmanship Instructors).  Recruits learn how to shoot in the following positions: prone (lying on the ground), standing, kneeling (one knee up while sitting on the other foot) and sitting (crossed legged or "Indian" style).  I have no idea why some of these positions are used, but I bet Jeremiah does by now!

According to Lisa Tingle, the Charlie Company Leader for the support group through recruitparents.com:

The PMIs will explain the proper positions and why they are used.

Advanced skills involved with the proper positions will offer the best scenario for the most accurate shooting. Other skills taught include using bone on bone support instead of muscling to steady the weapon, muscle relaxation, proper breathing techniques (not to hold their breath), proper trigger squeeze (slow steady push to the rear), follow through (keeping your eye and sights lined up with the target even after you fire the weapon), calling your shots (knowing where your bullet impact should be right as the weapon fires) and then comparing your called shot to the actual point of impact along with many other techniques.

The RCTs will learn to use a range book when they shoot. It is a way to follow your progress, identify when you have problems and to look at it historically for when you shoot next. Placing your called shots and actual impacts for comparison in the book is a very useful tool.

During this week, the RCTs will 'snap in' for many hours. 'Snapping in' is getting in the positions and dry firing the weapon without a round in the chamber. As well, simulators will be used that are very life like and can help the trainers identify mistakes before they become habits.

Safety is the utmost precedence when handling firearms and the Marine Corps stresses it greatly. There are 4 main rules that the RCTs will learn by heart every day:

1) Treat every weapon as if it were loaded
2) Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
3) Keep your weapon on safe until ready to fire
4) Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to fire

All four rules have to be broken in order for someone to get accidentally shot! If any violations occur, the RCT will be dealt with harshly when it comes to safety. That is an unfortunate thing but that is how important safety is!

After mastering the actual positions, dry firing several hundreds of times, learning the techniques that aid in accuracy, then the RCTs will sight in their rifles. They will start with what is called the BZO (Battle Sight Zero). This is performed at 36 yards for the M16A2 in the 5.56 caliber. This BZO has been determined to put the rifle and shooter in the most accurate setting for the range from 36 yards to 300 yards. As the RCTs shoot at the range after obtaining the 36/300 BZO, the PMI, DIs and Range Coaches may tweak the sights to offer the best possible accuracy for the RCTs.

When the RCTs move to live firing at a range, they will encounter the Range Coaches. These instructors are like assistants to the PMI. They insure safety and assist where needed with proper technique and positions. They are identified by the covers (hats) that they wear. They wear the Tan Safari Style cover with a black EGA on the front center. The DIs are still present and will assist as needed but they allow the PMI and the Coaches to do most of the work. When discipline needs to be instilled, the DIs will step up.

Marines become very attune to their weapon.  Platoons can get very "into" the whole shooting thing. Field DIs provide the instruction and support and want each recruit to succeed.

Jeremiah said his letters would slow down, and yesterday (August 13th, T-27) I didn't receive one. So obviously he was correct.  Unfortunately the letters probably slow down for him too.  I send something daily, but now mail has to be picked up by the SDI and brought from MCRD.  At least no calls have come saying he's sick or injured.  Since others in his company and platoon have had bronchitis, pneumonia, broken wrists, cellulitis, etc. I'm very relieved to have NOT had a phone call. It truly is a No News is Good News type of situation. :-)