WFTBn. Marine dominates intramural shooting match;;

14 Nov 2003 | Cpl. Alisha R. Fitzgerald Marine Corps Training and Education Command

Depot Marines gathered to compete for the Commanding General's Cup at the Fiscal Year 2004 Intramural Rifle/Pistol Competition at WFTBn. Oct. 27 - Nov. 5.

Thirty-three Marines from units across the Depot competed individually and as teams, firing rifles and pistols from several different courses of fire.

For the rifle match, individual scores were taken from a two-day course of fire. Marines shot 20 rounds of slow fire standing and 10 rounds of rapid fire sitting from the 200-yard line. They also had to shoot 10 rounds prone in 60 seconds from the 300-yard line and 20 rounds of slow fire prone in 20 minutes from the 500-yard line.
On the 200-yard line, Marines fired at able targets, which measure 12 inches in diameter with a three-inch V-ring or bull's eye. From the 500- and 300-yard line, the baker target, measuring 20 inches in diameter, with a 16-inch V-ring, was used.

For the Pistol Match, Marines fired 10 rounds slow fire and 10 rounds in 20 seconds from the 20-yard line. They also shot two magazines of five rounds rapid fire.

Staff Sgt. Jerry R. Fenton, the staff NCOIC at Chosin Range, won both the individual rifle and pistol competitions. His two-day total for the rifle was 539 out of a possible 600 points. For the pistol, his two-day total was 457 out of 600.

This was the first time Fenton had shot competitively in more than four years. Before getting orders to Parris Island about six months ago, he was a recruiter.

"It feels great to win," said Fenton. "After so much time off from shooting like this, I wasn't sure how I'd do."

Fenton also achieved top honors in the team matches. His team, WFTBn. Gold, finished first in the Rifle Team Match and the Pistol Team Match. Team members included Sgt. Daniel W. Mankiewicz, Sgt. Josh A. Wilson and Sgt. Brian S. Wortman. The team captain/coach was Sgt. Charels Reynolds IV.

Fenton said he was not always so successful on the range. It took some time for him to develop into the shooter he is today. It was not until he started competing that he began picking up valuable tricks of the trade.

"There's so much knowledge to be gained in competitive shooting," he said. "You pick up on things that work for you. The more you shoot, the better you become."

Fenton said that out of all the things he has learned throughout his time competing, one thing remains the most valuable to his success.

"Consistency is key," he said. "You have to do everything exactly the same every time. That way, you know how it's going to look when it hits black."

Fenton said he even picked up tips before he began the Depot competition. Sgt. James Ruiz, match instructor for the competition, who was recently selected for the Marine Corps Permanent Rifle/Pistol Team, gave him some pointers on a better way to grip the pistol, Fenton said.

Going into the competition, Fenton said his only goal was to make the Parris Island Rifle and Pistol Team. Compiling a team to represent the Depot from those who participated is the secondary purpose of the competition. Those who make the team are chosen based on attitude, consistency and score. They are also individually interviewed.

Team members go on to compete in division matches at Camp Lejeune, N.C., later in the year. Teams, who score high enough, go on to compete in the Marine Corps Matches.

Individuals, who qualify, could have a chance to compete on the Marine Corps Summer Team and possibly the Marine Corps Permanent Team.

Other individual winners from the Rifle/Pistol Competition include: Mankiewicz, second in rifle with a 517; Capt. Joseph D. Arico, third in rifle with a 512; Reynolds IV, second in pistol with a 450 and second overall with a total of 952; and Wilson, third in pistol with a 442 and third overall with a total of 950.

Second place in the Rifle Team Match was the WFTBn. Silver team, with Sgt. Curtis W. Ross, Sgt. Moses E. Vilca, Cpl. Josh L. Willoughby and Lance Cpl. Eli J. Oleksiak. Team coach and captain was Sgt. Stanley A. Carver. Second place in the Pistol Team Match was Vilca, Wortman, Cpl. Paul J. Warner and Cpl. John P. Codello, and Cpl. Anthony Gobert was the coach and captain.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command