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Working Group 3 Institutional Marksmanship
Table of Contents:
ARQ Summary
FY 19 ARQ Development
FY 20 ARQ Current Course of Fire / Phase One Testing
FY20 ARQ Phase II After-Action Reports
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Working Group 3 Institutional Marksmanship
ARQ Summary
During out brief of the FY13 Combat Marksmanship Symposium (CMS)
to the USMC Marksmanship Advocate, Deputy Commandant, Combat
Development and Integration (DC CD&I), Weapons Training Battalion
(WTBN) Quantico, serving as the Marksmanship Proponent, was tasked to
explore re-sequencing the Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program
(MCCMP) skill sets in order to maximize training, time, and
efficiency. Proposals brought to the FY14 CMS recommended methods by
which more combat related marksmanship techniques could be
incorporated into training, while maintaining proven fundamental
marksmanship skills. From FY14 to FY16 an alternate table one, and
table two course of fire began testing. During FY16 CMS, the
Executive Steering Committee (ESC) determined a need to offer
operational commanders a means to shorten the time spent on annual
rifle training (ART) and eliminate the excessive ART waiver requests.
DC CDI tasks marksmanship proponent to establish a conceptual,
truncated Annual Rifle Training (ART).
At this point, Alternate table two transitioned into Annual
Rifleman’s Qualification (ARQ). From August 2017 to May 2018 ARQ was
tested on 4 different occasions, the first two tests are run on WTBN
Quantico. During the first two iterations the USMC Threat target is
compared to the Baker target. Along with the targets, multiple
positions are tested with the shooters (magazine supported prone,
magazine supported kneeling, and the squatting positions). Small
adjustments to the Alternate table two course of fire were made, and
the twenty-five meter unknown distance target was added to the ARQ.
In March of 2018 Marksmanship Program Management Section (MPMS)
traveled to Okinawa, and Camp Atterbury Indiana in May 2018 in order
to test the feasibility of ARQ at different ranges throughout the
MAGTF.
Several problems became apparent during the testing of the ARQ.
The most predominant being that not all range complexes in the Marine
Corps can support the use of all necessary yard lines. The moving
target engagement portion of the ARQ was removed due to unrealistic
scenario presented by a Marine with a stick mounted target side
stepping left to right while in the pits. During the refinement of
the ARQ target a down grade version had to be created in order to
accommodate our current weapon system and ammunition combination not
being able hold to a standard of a human silhouette target at 500
yards. Additionally, during this time frame the course of fire was in
constant revision resulting in unusable data.
Beginning in FY 19 MPMS standardized the ARQ test course of fire,
developed a two phase approach to the testing and obtained assistance
from Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA).
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Phase one focused on testing the standardized conceptual ARQ course of
fire for the purpose of identifying potential failure points in the
execution. Testing was conducted with support from various Formal
Marksmanship Training Centers (FMTC) and a cross section of Military
Occupational Specialties across the MAGTF. MCOTEA requested MPMS
gather 600 data points (individual shooters’ data) to provide enough
information for a thorough analysis. MPMS was able to collect
approximately 300 usable data points that showed areas of redundancy
and installation specific issues. The data was presented at the FY 20
CMS and it lead to a modification in the course of fire, removing
skill set redundancies. For example, testing showed that there was no
reduction in performance when Marines fired identical stages of fire
while wearing a field protective mask, hence, one of the decisions
made was to remove the field protective mask portion. The streamlined
course of fire was approved for continued testing (Phase two) to
determine the thresholds of expert, sharp shooter, marksman, and
unqualified. Again, MCOTEA requested MPMS gather 600 data points.
During the FY 21 CMS MPMS will present the data collected and
discussion on a way forward.
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ARQ FY20 PHASE-II After-Action Reports
Stone Bay ARQ AAR
Day 1 (0800-1600)
(modified) day 1 focus points:
o ARQ Brief
o Range operations
o Scoring
o Data collection
o Weapon and gear setup
Sustain
o Four to five hours classroom instruction is still an appropriate amount of time
o Daily scoring practical application is a necessity
o Continue to ensure the understanding and importance of data collection
Improve
o Try to find out what weapons and optics will be utilized for the COF
o Refine how we deliver the information in the briefs
Day 2 (0600-1700)
Range –
o The original five day COF was modified due to a lack of range availability. (Stone bay
96/inclement weather)
o The focus of the COF remained on the input at the instructor level. This means two things;
one, the instructor will demonstrate proficiency in the execution of the COF. Two, our
staff aids in the development of the instructor from methodologies to techniques.
Sustain
o Keep focus on the instructors and their proficiency in executing the ARQ
o Continue practicing scoring procedures during COF
o Ensure instructors are able to identify any potential friction points, especially those
specific to their instillation
Improve
o Improve prior planning and communication with MTU in order to better mitigate logistical
and personnel issues downrange
Day 3
Due to weather MCB Stone Bay was closed and we were unable to continue the ARQ course of
fire.
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Debrief points
Stone Bay MTU seemed to lack communication amongst their own personnel.
The range and required material were not prepared.
There was a noticeable amount of confusion among the MTU staff.
MTU personnel seemed very attentive and receptive to the classes and instructions
despite time constraints and logistical issues the MTU personnel were able to understand the
concepts and methodologies behind executing the ARQ
MCAGCC MTU ARQ AAR (MCRD EDSON MTT) 20200802
Barricades at each 100 and 200 yard lines, mitigating dragging them to
each yard line and increase the life span of each.
o Currently working on a prototype that would allow the barricade
to remain hinged onto the firing line, while being collapsible.
This would mitigate the wear of the barricade and increase the
life span, while reducing cost.
o Possible steel post (tree) that would facilitate shooting
platforms, with PVC pipe in the ground.
o Currently only using wood as it is easily accessible.
The entire COF was conducted on MCRD Alpha (Table 2 Range)
o Alpha Range staff were very efficient and quickly grasped the
COF.
o MCAGCC MTU Staff ran the first iteration of the COF and Alpha
Range personnel ran the COF there after until completion.
Requesting to cut the 500 from 5 rounds in 60 seconds, to 5 rounds in
45 seconds.
o During the COF all shooters were consistently finished firing 5
rounds in 40-45 seconds, with no shooter using the full 60
seconds.
Day Packs:
o Many Marines used the Day Pack, however used it incorrectly. They
would not fill the pack full and it was flat/useless. I am aware
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this is on the units, but we will have to emphasize this to the
CMT’s of said units. More so, understanding the purpose of
utilizing the daypack and the tactical reason behind it.
o MTU allowed each relay 60 seconds of prep time to dry run on
their target during the COF. This allowed the shooter and coach
to identify their positions to use and or how to properly use
their Day Pack in the prone, or not. Doing so helped to mitigate
most shooting platform/position issues prior to target
engagement.
o Additionally alleviating excess time wasted during the drills
trying to find their hold positions on the barricade and or
deciding to use the pack or not.
The MCRD Edson MTT had 23 shooters on day 1 and 21 shooters days 2-3.
The participating units were MCRD Edson Staff, Miramar MTU and Camp
Horno Range MTU. After the first day, Miramar MTU personnel were no
show and did not return to complete the ARQ.
o During the ARQ MCRD Alpha had a detail of recruits on deck and
were running them through table II. This was not completed until
approximately 1000-1030, thus not allowing us to begin the ARQ
until 1100 or later.
Day 1 COF: 23 Shooters
o First Round Day: 1105
o Last Round Day: 1600
o First Round Night: 2030
o Last Round Night: 2215
Day 2 COF: 21 Shooters
o First Round Day: 1130
o Last Round Day: 1540
o First Round Night: 2030
o Last Round Night: 2215
Day 3 COF: 21 Shooters
o First Round Day: 1130
o Last Round Day: 1515
o First Round Night: 2030
o Last Round Night: 2210
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Recommendations
o COA 1: Recommending to remove the night portion and or place it
on the units as we do Tables 3-6. After speaking with Marine
Gunners Ray Browne and Chris Jones, more data is needed IOT
support this decision.
The night portion was fast in comparison to the day,
however we averaged 2.5 hours per relay day with only 21-23
shooters, vice 200 shooters that are run at MCAGCC.
Transition of the shooters topside/pits were very fast as
the small amount of shooters allowed easy accountability
and one avenue of access to and from the pits. This is not
the case for 200 shooters and how we transition to and from
the pits aboard MCAGCC R1, which creates a longer
transition time.
o COA 2: Recommend splitting the COF into 2 portions as we do the
ART Table 1-2. Conduct Long Bay M, T, W and Short Bay T, F.
Additional MTU staff is necessary IOT facilitate ARQ. The
ARQ’s that have been ran on MCAGCC have the Marines on the
range for most of the day. I recommend doubling the staff
and allowing the ability to run dual crews and mitigate and
risk that might occur.
Reconfigure ISMIT to accommodate ARQ w/ barricades. Incorporate night
fire training w/ PEQ’s and NVG’s into the ISMIT.
During the COF there is a portion of movers that are 2 shots per drill
for 8 drills. After each engagement the shooter must mount the
barricade, engage the target twice and dismount the barricade.
o Recommend that we allow the shooter to remain positioned onto the
barricade as we know from combat that engaging a target twice and
it disappears does not automatically assume that the threat is
eliminated. I recommend after engaging the 2 shot drill, to
remain in position and “scanning” the target area for him to re-
engage or his reinforcements. This is also keeping in the
tactical mindset. After engagement of 2 shots per direction (L to
R, R to L) (total 4 shots), dismount the barricade for a new
iteration.
37
MTU allowed the shooters 30 mins prior to night fire to Co-Witness both
IR and visible lasers, in case the IR laser stops working they may
switch to the visible and continue the COF. This was a decision I made
as through the ARQ’s it has been identified that PEQ’s have a tendency
to stop working and allows the shooter to continue the COF.
o Although the shooters did conduct an LBS, most were off and or
done incorrectly from the units and allowing them to Co-Witness
helped get rounds on target tremendously.
Increase T/E for NVG’s and PEQ’s as all Marines will be required to
fire with NVG’s and PEQ’s.
Aboard MCAGCC, Range Safety requirements is at a minimum of E-6 RSO and
E-7 OIC. This is the requirement for live-fire and movement. During the
COF there is a “failure to stop while moving” drill that is the last
drill of the short bay portion. The shooters move from the 25 to 15
yard line while engaging the target w/ a failure drill. This drill
requires and E-6 RSO and E-7 OIC.
o I recommend when ARQ allowing an E-5 RSO and E-6 OIC as we
conduct ART/CPP and or MCAGCC MTU would require a deviation.
o MCAGCC MTU currently does not have an E-7, however does have a GS
(Mr. Folts) whom can fill the OIC requirement in the event that
the MTU is gapped a Gunner or does not have an OIC. If Mr. Folts
were to be the OIC of the day and night portions, that would
require him to work a lot of overtime and additional money paid.
Ammo Load Out:
o I suggest that we remove the ammo load out for each drill and
allow the shooter to fill however many necessary of each mag.
This is keeping with the concept that in combat you will not have
a specific number of rounds per mag, nor be told to fill only a
specific amount. Additionally this allow the Marines to
understand how important it is to check your round count and
ammunition accountability.
o This was conducted for the ARQ MTT and the shooters had issues
managing/accounting for their ammunitions day 1 and no issues
thereafter. This teaches the Marine that ammunition management is
a real thing.
38
Scoring:
o It was proposed that each category (D, N) hold some sort of point
value, not just D and also hold a numerical number value with it,
on the score card.
o MCDP 1-0, Appendix C, Tactical tasks of Destroy or Neutralize,
should leave the EN in some form of degradation. I understand
that if I am suppressing something does not mean that I am having
effects on target, so I am suggesting that should not be a point
value. However, Destroy and Neutralize should.
o Recommend that we mark the D or S value at the bottom of the
target as we do during the ART. This allows the shooter to better
understand where their impacts are actually hitting and make
better adjustments onto targets.
o The long-term solution for scoring is automated targets with the
tablets on the firing line. This will remove the Marines from the
PIT’s and allow the shooter to automatically see their shots
real-time and make the correct adjustments.
Night shot spotters:
o MCRD EDSON did not have the MPMS recommended night shot spotters,
so we improvised and used reflective tape. This is the same
concept we proved during our ARQ’s on MCAGCC and it worked
tremendously with zero issues. The reflection was much brighter
than the given shot spotters when the IR laser grazed it.
PITS:
o Our PIT NCO gave a score card brief before each COF during Pre-
Qual and Qual. This was critical as it ensured that the PIT’s
were tracking on what to expect and helped to some degree control
the chaos, especially for new shooters whom have never shot this
COF.
Target: (MCRD EDSON used the same targets and concurred)
o We identified a flaw in the target that was sent from
Qualification Targets. The target isn’t large enough to cover the
6x6 target carriage. Thus this left the chloroplast board (shot
39
up) exposed and the shooters couldn’t identify what shot group
was what. Even if they covered it with pasties, this was not the
answer.
o We remade the targets using ART targets inverted and refaced the
ARQ Short Bay target on it. This did fix the problem, but is a
short term solution.
o MTU created a Short Bay target using the 6x6 frame and kept it in
the PITS to expedite the process of moving from Long to Short
Bay. We did not have these created during the Short Bay portion
until Qualification day and decided not to use them as it was
their Qual. We will use them next ARQ.
The 3 highest shooters of the COF were all competitive shooters on the
MCRD Edson Shooting Team with scores of 47, 46 and 44. The degree of
difficulty of ARQ is very hard and although will create a more “lethal”
Marine, will have a significantly increase of unqualified Marines and
or significant decrease of scores across the Marine Corps.
o Additionally I believe the decrease in scores and increase of
unqualified Marines will have a tremendous effect on promotions.
Yorktown Annual Rifle Qualification (ARQ)
Unit Conducting – MCSF Reg Yorktown, VA
Range breakdown – 4 relays of 18 target points
COF – ARQ Version 2 FY20 / Test 1
Date – Nov 4 - 8 / Start 0800 End 2000
Range Complex – Yorktown, VA MTU
Atmospheric Conditions – Temperature 50-70 degrees F
Wind Speed – Day 1, 0-4 MPH/ Day 2, 2-8 MPH/ Day 3, 0-4 MPH from left to right
(9:30-12:00 o’clock)
Altitude - 55 Feet MSL
Barometric Pressure – 29.86 inHg
Density Altitude – -500 – 500 ft
Weather – Sunny and partly cloudy
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Execution Timeline
Day 1(holds) – 0900 – 2000
Day 2(Qual 1) – 500 yard line – Morning relay 45 mins/ Afternoon relay 45 mins
300 yard line – Morning relay 24 mins / Afternoon relay 20 mins
200 yard line – Morning relay 43 mins / Afternoon relay 25 mins
100 yard line – Morning relay 25 mins / Afternoon relay 35 mins
25 yard line - Morning relay 14 mins / Afternoon relay 23 mins
Day 3(Qual 2) – 500 yard line – Morning relay 45 mins/ Afternoon relay 30 mins
300 yard line – Morning relay 20 mins / Afternoon relay 20 mins
200 yard line – Morning relay 17 mins / Afternoon relay 33 mins
100 yard line – Morning relay 35 mins / Afternoon relay 20 mins
25 yard line - Morning relay 10 mins / Afternoon relay 10 mins
Night fire was between 14 and 18 mins for morning relay and between 12 and 16 mins for afternoon
relays each night.
Debrief points that contributed to the inefficiency of the range
Range staff seemed to be shorthanded, we do not believe that they fully benefitted from a train
the trainer.
Some of the coaching staff lacked the core knowledge needed to facilitate range operations,
such as being overly familiar with weapons, optics and night aiming devices.
The barricades were incorrectly built and had to be modified to allow the shooters the ability to
shoot from the standing and kneeling. A more detailed description of barricade dimensions and
purpose would alleviate this problem.
More positional shooting instruction is needed to better prepare shooters to shoot from a
barricade.
The inability of the shooters to utilize their T/O equipment caused many delays throughout the
qualification. The shooters did not show up prepared and had many issues that could have been
solved through pre firing checks or inspections at any level.
Every shooter needed to spend a significant amount of time zeroing their RCO.
Timeline feedback
Why does a shooter not make the allotted time for each drill throughout the course of fire
Taking too much time to get into a firing position (lack of experience?)
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Accepting a poor position that requires constant adjustments between shots
Overall not applying fundamental body position techniques that allow for consistent
speed while shooting
Data Book feedback
Overall out of the 70 Marines and range staff, not one person could intelligently list any data
that could help guide a shooter to increase his ability to perform. Overall a shooter doesn’t know what
atmospherics and data to record and how to apply that information to be successful.
29 Palms AAR
Fill in the gap/level in front of the 25 yard line on R1 IOT conduct Long/Short Bay on R1. (PWD?)
Purchase ARQ Targets/Shot spotters from “Qualification Targets Inc.”
o We will speak to Grainger and see if they can begin carrying them in stock as they are
the company MPMS orders through. From my understanding they are the only company
authorized to create/carry the ARQ targets.
SOP to charge the shot spotters IOT glow (Every shooter have a flash light).
o Currently there is nothing in writing on how to “charge” the shot spotters IOT make
them glow. Any light source will work. I.e. Flashlight, chemlight, daylight, etc.
Barricades at each 100 and 200 yard lines, mitigating dragging them to each yard line and
increase the life span of each.
Reinforce Barricades w/ 3 backings/braces or 3 tier barricade.
o Currently there is nothing stating how the barricade needs to be constructed, there are
recommendations. The only requirement is it has to allow the shooter the ability to fire
from all 3 positions. (Standing, kneeling, prone).
Tower/PITS need to be in sync with one another. A LOT of wasted time due to not tracking the
COF/drills and communication between each other/familiarity.
Tower/PITS need to use a stop watch to ensure accurate timing.
Day 1 COF: 11 Hours long, 4 relays w/ PIT swap and transition.
Day 2/3 COF: Average time per relay 2.5 hours w/ transition to 3A (short bay).
Short Term: Move short bay portion of ARQ to R2 CPP range. Has 25m and 15m yard lines w/
TGT carriages. It is a more proficient range to conduct short bay as they have the yard
lines/carriages.
42
Units will have to look into the Marksmanship Order and train their Marines in lieu of having a
current ARQ coach. Marines need to understand how to properly zero w/ a Collimator and
understand grouping/holds/understanding barrel flex and the effects.
Units need focus on training their Marines on how to properly get into positions, utilizing the
barricade correctly.
Units need to focus on training their Marines on how to properly use their NVG’s and how to
focus their NVG’s along with their PEQ’s/LBS/Co-Witnessing.
Reconfigure ISMIT to accommodate ARQ w/ barricades. Incorporate night fire training w/ PEQ’s
and NVG’s into the ISMIT.
Increase T/E for NVG’s and PEQ’s as all Marines will be required to fire with NVG’s and PEQ’s.
Every MTU Marine carry a Tourniquet.
ARQ requires the Marines to be on the line w/ full gear 8-11 hours on average a day in the
blistering heat.
o Understand the weather effects and mitigating through time during the time of the
year. Possibly starting early or late/running into the night, depending upon the time of
year.