Marksmanship

As part of a force that is ready for any battle, every recruit must qualify with their M16 rifle after two weeks of dedicated marksmanship training.  
 
Grass Week: 
• The basics of safety and marksmanship  
• Comfort and precision with the rifle  
• Firing without ammunition while sitting, kneeling, standing 
and lying in the prone position  
 
Firing Week:  
• Live fire from all positions  
• Firing at ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yards  
• Building accuracy, beginning with 50 rounds of slow fire, 
one shot at a time; and rapid fire, 10 shots in a row  
 
On qualification day, at the end of firing week, recruits strive for their highest score out of 250 points. They will earn the Rifle Marksman badge, the Rifle Sharpshooter badge or the coveted "Crossed Rifles" Expert badge. Marines requalify with their rifles each year.