A transformative shift in marksmanship is underway within the United States Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing the lethality of its troops through cutting-edge technology and rigorous new training standards.
This evolution prioritizes the integration of state-of-the-art equipment and a refined focus on achieving lethal shots, departing from age-old practices to better equip Marines for the challenges of modern warfare.
A critical analysis conducted in 2018 revealed significant challenges in shooting accuracy for Marines, especially while in motion, engaging moving targets, and firing at unknown distances.
The revelation, compounded by insufficient data collection, set the Marine Corps on a mission to overhaul its marksmanship training regimen.
The Marine Corps is not merely updating its methods; it is revolutionizing the way Marines train to shoot. In line with the new lethal-centric philosophy, updates to the Annual Rifle Qualification (ARQ) prioritize heart, lung, and brain shots, adhering to the service’s mandate for one shot, one kill efficacy.
As Col. Greg Jones, commander of the Weapons Training Battalion, succinctly put it, “our job in the Marine Corps is to kill the enemies of this great nation.”
This ethos is driving the implementation of leading-edge devices like the Mantis X10 and Unit 4, which provide instant feedback on shooting techniques without the need for live rounds.
These systems allow for dry fire practices and use lasers to simulate recoil, offering an unprecedented level of detail in correcting firing stances and trigger pulls.
The digital era has ushered in the ‘digital snap-in barrel,’ as Col. Jones describes, providing real-time analytics that traditional methods could never supply.
Moreover, the Corps’ $11.3 million investment in the advanced small arms lethality trainer, designed to present more complex scenarios for Marines, showcases a firm commitment to developing top-tier marksmen.
The training apparatus will be deployed across significant installations, bolstering the combat readiness of Marines.
The push for excellence continues with a new mandate for every Marine to score an Expert rating in pre-qualification before accepting their ARQ score. This move aims to elevate every Marine to the highest standard of marksmanship, fostering a relentless pursuit of improvement.
In the realm of pistol training, similar transformations are underway. The Corps is considering a recalibration of its grading system to emphasize lethal shots, potentially overhauling the scoring matrix to prioritize shots to vital organs over less critical areas.
The integration of technology extends to simulated rifle training with the MantisX Blackbeard system, now being tested at recruit depots.
This system accelerates learning by electronically resetting the rifle’s trigger and providing a laser to indicate shot accuracy, all without the logistic and environmental constraints of a live-fire range.
Relevant articles:
– New tech aims to make Marines more lethal shooters, Marine Corps Times
– Marines Want More Expert Riflemen as Part of Marksmanship Revamp, USNI News
– Marines may revamp pistol training to require more lethal shots, Task & Purpose
– Inside a new technology for Marine marksmanship training, Task & Purpose