Nine members of the Royal Marines Combat Shooting received marksmanship training  aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico from the U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team from March 2-15.

Royal Marines Combat Shooting Team and the U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team are scheduled to compete in the Competition in Arms Program 2013 Eastern Division Matches at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on March 18-29.

“We basically do an exchange program,” said Sgt. Timothy Hall, instructor/competitor, U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team. “We send about eight guys from here to go and shoot in a match at the Royal Marines’ Skilled and Arms Meet. In return, the Royal Marines send about the same to shoot a match with us. Every time we do this, it not only strengthens the relationship between the branches we also get a chance to gain marksmanship knowledge from each other.”

For the entire first week, after gear was issued, the Royal Marines were given the same classes they will receive at the matches a basic introduction to the M16 rifle, M9 Pistol and different shooting styles. Most of the Royal Marines have never used an M16 before. They normally shoot with the SA80 assault rifle.

For the upcoming matches they will have to shoot a pistol with one hand. While going over the pistol training, the instructors were impressed with how well that the Royal Marines did, since they don’t normally shoot one handed.

“Even though U.S. Marines will have a leg up on the Royal Marines, they are no joke,” Hall said. “They are very great marksman. All they need is a refresher and they are good to go from there.”

The U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team, will not only be competing in the upcoming matches but will also teach classes and making sure that the ranges run properly during the event.

These two weeks of practice has not gone over the heads of the Royal Marines. They have been taking notes during training, and studying on their own time. Now, they ready to show their instructors what they have leaned.

“My guys are not full time competitors,” said Chief Warrant Officer Paul McKiernan, chief instructor, Royal Marines Combat Shooting Team. “They are taken from infantry units around the United Kingdom because of their excellent performance in our marksmanship competitions. This is the first time we did this U.S. Rifle and Pistol Combat Coaching Course. And even though my men are skilled, this course really helps my guys properly prepare for the matches coming up.”