Rifle Qualification
This section covers what happens in both Table 1 and Table 2 of the Marine Corps Rifle Range Evaluation. This evaluation is done by every Marine annually (by fiscal year), regardless of MOS.
The course of fire is fairly simple and consists of a total of 50 shots and 5 Stages. The recommended sling for use on Table 1 is the Web Sling (2-point sling) so that it can be made into a Loop Sling when on the Firing Line. This greatly aids in stability and accuracy throughout the course of fire. Unlike the Army, NO SANDBAGS are ever used for support. The Marine only has the ground, the sling, and their body for support.
Stage 1:- 15 Rounds (5 in the Sitting, 5 Kneeling, and 5 Standing) in 25 minutes
- 200 Yard Slow Fire
- "Able" Target
Stage 2:- 10 Rounds Sitting in 60 seconds
- 200 Yard Rapid Fire
- "Dog" Target
Stage 3:- 5 Rounds Sitting in 5 minutes
- 300 Yard Slow Fire
- "Able" Target
Stage 4:- 10 Rounds Prone in 60 seconds
- 300 Yard Rapid Fire
- "Dog" Target
Stage 5:- 10 Rounds Prone in 10 minutes
- 500 Yard Slow Fire
- "B-Mod" Target
Points are determined by the placement of the shot on the given Target for that Stage.
ABLE TARGET:
On the "Able" Target, the entire black area (12" diameter) is worth 5 points per shot, with the inner white ring (24" diameter) being worth 4 points, and the outer white ring (36") being 3 points. Outside of the rings but within the vertical black lines (a 4' x 6' area) is worth 2 points, and any shot outside of that is a 0. This target is used from the 200 and 300 yard lines for their respective Slow Fire Stages.
DOG TARGET:
On the "Dog" Target, the black area (26" wide x 19" tall) again is worth 5 points, the next ring out is 4, and the ring outside of that is 3. Anywhere else on the paper (6' x 6') is worth 2 points, and if you miss the paper entirely it is a 0. This target is used from 200 and 300 yard lines for both Rapid Fire Stages.
B-MOD TARGET:
On the "B-Mod" Target, the black (20" wide x 40" tall) is worth 5, and the area inside the ring directly to the right and left of the black area (40" diameter) is worth 4 points. The outer ring (60" diameter) is worth 3 points, while anywhere else on the paper (6' x 6') is 2, with a miss counted as 0 points. This target is only used from the 500 yard line for the final Slow Fire Stage.
The highest possible point total on Table 1 is 250. In order to qualify, each Marine must score at least a 190 in order to move on to Table 2 Qualification. Any Marine who fails on the first attempt will qualify again, but this time if they qualify they will be able to move on to Table 2, but cannot receive a combined 1 and 2 score of better than 250, no matter what their point total on the second attempt or on Table 2.
Table 1 Scoring/Rating:250-220: Expert
210-219: Sharpshooter
190-209: Marksman
189-0: Unqualified
Table 2 has a complex and fast-paced course of fire consisting of 5 Stages and 50 Rounds, with 4 different Drills. The recommended sling for Table 2 is the 3-point sling. This allows for quick movement from the Alert to the Ready positions while keeping the buttstock of the rifle firmly seated in your shoulder. Web slings and 1-point slings are authorized, but offer no support or advantage on Table 2. "Broom sticks" (vertical foregrips) may be used if issued to you by your armory. All shots are taken in either the standing or kneeling positions, and no additional supports (like sandbags) are used.
Stages 1-4 are from the 25 yard line on the "Echo" Target, while Stage 5 is from the 100 yard line.
STAGE 1 - Presentation:Drill 1 - Head Shot:
- 1 Round Standing in 3 seconds
- 2 Iterations
- T-Box
Drill 2 - Controlled Pair:- 2 Rounds Standing in 4 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- Chest Cavity
Drill 3 - Failure to Stop:- 3 Rounds Standing in 5 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- First 2 Shots to the Chest Cavity then 1 Shot to either T-Box or Pelvic Girdle
STAGE 2 - Position Change:
Drill 1 - Controlled Pairs:- 2 Rounds Standing then 2 Rounds Kneeling
- 7 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- Chest Cavity
Drill 2 - Failure to Stop:- 2 Rounds Standing then 1 Round Kneeling
- 8 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- First 2 Shots to the Chest Cavity then 1 Shot to either T-Box or Pelvic Girdle
STAGE 3 - Multiple Targets w/ Position Change:Drill 1 - Controlled Pairs:
- 2 Rounds Kneeling from Standing on Left Target, then 2 Kneeling on Right Target
- 6 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- Chest Cavity
Drill 2 - Controlled Pairs:- 2 Rounds Standing on Left Target then 2 Rounds Kneeling on Right Target
- 9 seconds
- 2 Iterations
- Chest Cavity
Drill 3 - Failure to Stop Box Drill:- 2 Rounds Standing on Left Target, 3 Kneeling on Right Target, then 1 Kneeling on Left
- 10 seconds
- 2 Iterations
- First 4 Shots in Chest Cavity, next 2 to either T-Box or Pelvic Girdle
STAGE 4 - Speed Reload:
- 2 Rounds Standing on Left Target, then 2 Rounds Kneeling on Right Target
- 10 seconds
- 1 Iteration
- Chest Cavity
STAGE 5 - Moving Target Engagement:
- 2 Rounds Kneeling from Standing
- 10 seconds
- 4 Iterations, 2 with Target moving Left, 2 with Target moving Right
- Center Mass
Points are determined by the placement of the shot on the given Target for that Stage.
ECHO TARGET:
On the "Echo" Target, hitting the target within the designated area results in 2 points, and anywhere else on the target is 1 point. The "T-Box" in the head area represents the desired impact point (medulla oblongata) which would instantly drop an opponent without any muscle flinching. The 10" Ring represents the heart area. A controlled pair to this area can result in the opponent's rapid loss of blood, and possible fatality within 30 seconds. The bottom area represents the Pelvic Girdle. Shots impacting here on an opponent would break the pelvic bone and result in both severe pain and immobility, which would give the shooter additional time to either immobilize higher priority opponents or make a shot in the T-Box.
The highest possible point total on Table 2 is 100, giving a possible aggregate score of 350 after combining Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1 + 2 Combined Scoring/Rating:350-305: Expert
304-380: Sharpshooter
279-250: Marksman
249-0: Unqualified
A: The order is
MCO 3574.2K and covers both Pistol and Rifle Qualification procedures.
A: Yes. Waivers must be approved by your unit's commander and the proper paperwork must be filled out by you and signed by your commander. Reasons for exemption are covered in MCO 3574.2K, Paragraph 2001.
Additionally, Marines who score Expert in two consecutive years are eligible for a 1-year exemption from firing (this is in section g of Paragraph 2002 of MCO 3574.2K).