US Marines....

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Hi guys, have a question for you, My son is in basic training right now, i got a letter from him last night and he said he had started his weapons training, any way, on his first test, I believe he called it table 1, he scored expert, he said he was the only one in the group to do so.my question is that hard to do?, not knowing how the marine weapons training compares to say civlian police weapons training(my brother did 27 yrs as a cop here), so i have seen some of their training routine..but the few peeps i have mentioned this to (all past service personal in different branches) thought it was a pretty big deal..was just curious, and not having any military back ground myself, was hoping one of you might be able to explain the process to me, he did say that his master sgrt. told him if he scored expert on table 2 as well that they would all get calls home(which of course would make my day getting to talk to him...)anyhow..thanks guys..both for your time helping me to understand, and for your service to our country...

 

[baddodges]

my son and my brother are both marines my bro did 4 years in infantry,one tour in iraq,my son starting yr 2 hes in motor t,gettin ready for afgan tour in april doing vehicle recovery,very proud of them both,i do know it is very difficult to maintain expert shooter,the challenges get tougher,and timeframes get shorter,if he gets to call home just tell him hes doin awesome and keep his nose to the grindstone,if he succseeds he may be eligible for sniper school,either way he will be a member of the most elite fighting forces of the world,god bless him and his efforts,he will make some special life long friends,in bootcamp,i cant put enough stickers on my truck to show how proud i am of our marines.one marine dad to another be proud of him,and SEMPER FI.

 

[RMK7SledHead]

It's not EXTREMELY hard to shoot expert, but you've got to know what you're doing. The score (for Table 1) is out of 250 points and the shooting is as follows:


200 YD SLOW FIRE 5/5/5 20MIN SITTING/KNEELING /STANDING

200 YD LINE RAPID FIRE 10 ROUNDS 60 SEC STANDING TO SITTING (start standing up, then sit down and shoot your 10 rounds)

300 YD LINE SLOW FIRE 5 ROUNDS 5MIN SITTING

300 YD LINE RAPID FIRE 10 ROUNDS 60 SEC STANDING TO PRONE (start standing, then lay down and shoot your 10)

500 YD LINE SLOW FIRE 10 ROUNDS 10 MIN PRONE (the money maker)

You've got to do the exact same thing, every single time...especially at the 500 yd line. Putting 10/10 in the black at 500 is tough.

Table 2 is then shot and is worth 100 more points.

You have to shoot 225 or better on Table 1 for expert, but A LOT of guys pick up expert on Table 2, where it's easy to do. If you drop more than a couple points on Table 2, you're not very good with a rifle. Combined score for expert is 305-350.

It is still a very well respected trait, being able to shoot expert (and double expert later if he gets to qual with a pistol), and helps on promotions for him too. Good on him for shooting Ex on Table 1...he should have no problem holding onto it through Table 2.

Semper Fi.

P.S. My wife and I are both double experts.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

my son and my brother are both marines my bro did 4 years in infantry,one tour in iraq,my son starting yr 2 hes in motor t,gettin ready for afgan tour in april doing vehicle recovery,very proud of them both,i do know it is very difficult to maintain expert shooter,the challenges get tougher,and timeframes get shorter,if he gets to call home just tell him hes doin awesome and keep his nose to the grindstone,if he succseeds he may be eligible for sniper school,either way he will be a member of the most elite fighting forces of the world,god bless him and his efforts,he will make some special life long friends,in bootcamp,i cant put enough stickers on my truck to show how proud i am of our marines.one marine dad to another be proud of him,and SEMPER FI.

Thank you, BD, thats awesome, i will add your brother and son to my prayers....I have always been extremely proud of the kids...and I know how special of a young person it takes to go down and enlist...special peeps for sure...Tell them thank you for me...SEMPER FI....

It's not EXTREMELY hard to shoot expert, but you've got to know what you're doing. The score (for Table 1) is out of 250 points and the shooting is as follows:


200 YD SLOW FIRE 5/5/5 20MIN SITTING/KNEELING /STANDING

200 YD LINE RAPID FIRE 10 ROUNDS 60 SEC STANDING TO SITTING (start standing up, then sit down and shoot your 10 rounds)

300 YD LINE SLOW FIRE 5 ROUNDS 5MIN SITTING

300 YD LINE RAPID FIRE 10 ROUNDS 60 SEC STANDING TO PRONE (start standing, then lay down and shoot your 10)

500 YD LINE SLOW FIRE 10 ROUNDS 10 MIN PRONE (the money maker)

You've got to do the exact same thing, every single time...especially at the 500 yd line. Putting 10/10 in the black at 500 is tough.

Table 2 is then shot and is worth 100 more points.

You have to shoot 225 or better on Table 1 for expert, but A LOT of guys pick up expert on Table 2, where it's easy to do. If you drop more than a couple points on Table 2, you're not very good with a rifle. Combined score for expert is 305-350.

It is still a very well respected trait, being able to shoot expert (and double expert later if he gets to qual with a pistol), and helps on promotions for him too. Good on him for shooting Ex on Table 1...he should have no problem holding onto it through Table 2.

Semper Fi.

P.S. My wife and I are both double experts.

Thank you RMK7, that helps me to understand it much better, and yes, the 500 yrd line would be tough...he has never shot past 200 yrds growing up, so that really impresses me on what he has acomplished, my thanks to you, and your wife, both for your service and your time to answer my questions, and that is very very impressive being double expert..congrats to you and your wife..since he has been able to talk all he has ever wanted to do is be a marine sniper...maybe with hard work and dedication his dreams will come true...thank you again...

 

[xrated]

Good for your boy and good luck to him as he goes.

I hope he never ever has to put his training to the test.

And more power to him if he wants to be and can be a sniper...I wouldn't want that job for all the money in the world.

 

[smittys800]

Just got back from my Nephews Graduation in Cali. VERY impressive, nothing like mine when I finished boot for the NAVY.
He also got expert in shooting, has never shot a firearm that I know of, can't say that now.
Out of 510 kids in his company/platoon, only 3 got expert, impressive I would say.
Lot of history/ memories at the museum, be sure you visit.
Smitty

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Just got back from my Nephews Graduation in Cali. VERY impressive, nothing like mine when I finished boot for the NAVY.
He also got expert in shooting, has never shot a firearm that I know of, can't say that now.
Out of 510 kids in his company/platoon, only 3 got expert, impressive I would say.
Lot of history/ memories at the museum, be sure you visit.
Smitty

Awesome Smitty, tell him thank you for me..I was told to not miss the graduation....I will be sure to hit the museum as well..thank you...

 

[mnescape]

They use to tell us that a Marine Rifle Expert could shoot a fly off a fence post at 500 yards.... ...

The program has changed a lot since I was in ('88-'92), but we use to have to qualify every year. I held expert 3 out of 4 years.


Semper Fi.....and congratulations to your son!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

They use to tell us that a Marine Rifle Expert could shoot a fly off a fence post at 500 yards.... ...

The program has changed a lot since I was in ('88-'92), but we use to have to qualify every year. I held expert 3 out of 4 years.


Semper Fi.....and congratulations to your son!

dang if he shoots that good..he can come shoot the moose next year..figured he could pack it already...thanks for your service to our country mnescape...Semper Fi..........