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Tom Bullins, a civilian with Trigger Time Inc., takes aim with his pistol while competing in the 4th Annual Quantico Shooting Match aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on Oct. 28.

Photo by John Hollis

MCBQ hosts 4th Annual Quantico Shooting Match

7 Nov 2014 | John Hollis Marine Corps Base Quantico

Hitting a target with three different weapons can be trying enough, but doing so while moving and reloading makes the task that much more difficult.

That’s what the 140 Marines from up and down the East Coast and select civilian and federal law enforcement officers had in mind as they gathered aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico from Oct. 27-30 to test their skills against one another in the 4th Annual Quantico Shooting Match.

Designed to better simulate combat conditions, the competition challenged each shooter ‘s accuracy and shot placement skills. Shooters from Quantico, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the Marine Special Operations Command and federal and civilian law enforcement agencies took their turns at the seven different firing stations spread across the Westside to show their mettle with the rifle, shotgun and pistol. Three of the stations included the use of all three weapons in the timed exercises, while the other four included a mix of the three.

Each of the stations required the shooters to shoot at the collective steel and paper targets and reload on the move. Adding to the challenge is the fact that an “overwhelming” number of Marines have never fired a shotgun and have little experience with pistols, said Capt. Jared Dalton, Combat Shooting Team officer in charge, Weapons Battalion.

“The key thing is that it’s not just about shooting in combat situation as much as it is getting guys accustomed shooting on the move and engaging in different weapons,” he said. “All of these skill sets translate anywhere.”

Dalton emphasized that the three-gun concept is meant to compliment the more traditional shooting exercises rather than replace them.

The three-gun concept and its practical applications have already drawn a lot of interest. Harold G. Overstreet, the retired sergeant major of the Marine Corps, was among the dignitaries who stopped in to see things on Tuesday’s first day of competition. Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., deputy commandant, Combat Development and Integration, and the commanding general, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, was also expected to attend.

Gunnery Sgt. Gerald Gavin, staff NCO, Scout Sniper Instructor School, praised the competition for improving Marine war-fighting capabilities.

“It’s all applicable to what a Marine rifleman should be doing,” he said.

Not everybody, however, had long-term tactical implications in mind. Capt. Trevor Davison, counter IED branch of Force Protection, MCCDC, said he was enjoying the chance to get back out in the field with his fellow Marines.

“That was fun,” he said after completing a rifle and pistol station. “You don’t get to shoot like this. It’s been fun being out here.”

Writer: jhollis@quanticosentryonline.com

Marine Corps Base Quantico