A Marine with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron here earned a new shooting badge – a bronze distinguished marksman’s badge, or “leg medal” at the All-Navy Match earlier this year.

Cpl. Eric House, a barracks manager with the squadron, placed eighth in the pistol portion of the competition. The match was only his third shooting competition.

“I first started shooting the pistol about a year ago when I qualified with a high score on the range,” said House. “Staff Sgt. Stigler, at the armory, mentioned we have a shooting team here and I decided to look into joining the team.”

During his first competition with the team, he shot both the pistol and rifle.

“I really enjoy shooting the pistol more,” said House. “With the rifle if you can get in a good shooting position you can shoot well, but with a pistol you have to let the weapon do the work for you. If you force it you won’t shoot well.”

After his first competition, House decided to focus on the pistol course of fire, which follows the national match course consisting of 10 shots at the 50 yard line with a time limit of 10 minutes, a timed fire portion of five shots in 20 seconds at the 25 yard line and a rapid fire section of five shots in 10 seconds, also at the 25 yard line.

During the Pacific Fleet Rifle and Pistol Championship, the MCAS Miramar team took first place in the pistol category, House contributed to their success.

“We practiced two or three times per week before our last two tournaments,” said House. “Each time we practice we shoot about 100 rounds.”

Excellence in marksmanship seems to run in House’s family.

“My grandfather was a competition shooter with the Army while he was still on active duty,” said House. “I guess it’s something that just comes naturally to me.”

His accuracy doesn’t stop with just the pistol though, while in boot camp House was his company high shooter with a score of 242 on the known distance course of fire with the M-16A2 service rifle.

“I’ve been shooting since I was 14,” said the 22 year old. “My first time shooting was with a friend of mine when we went hunting on his farm, but I never noticed how accurate I was until I got to boot camp.”

Upon earning his new medal, House distinguished himself from other Marines while in dress or service uniforms requiring the wear of a shooting badge. The badge he wears is gold and says “Distinguished.”

“You don’t see too many people who’ve earned one of these badges and I’m proud to be one of them,” said House.