MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif -- Although weapons have changed, the basic fundamentals of marksmanship have weathered the test of time. Since their introduction in the early 20th century, generations of Marines have painstakingly mastered the same set of fundamentals through practice and hard work, bringing to fruition the motto, “Every Marine a Rifleman.”

More than 200 Marines attended the 2009 Western Division Rifle and Pistol Matches from March 2 through 20 at Wilcox Range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to prove themselves as expert marksmen.

Of those 200, two teams from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar took individual medals. Team MCAS Miramar placed third in the large unit competition and Marine Wing Support Group 37 placed first in the small unit competition.

Competitors received classes about the M-16 and its variants, the M-9 Berretta pistol, fundamentals, effects of weather, competition rules and scoring from members of the Marine Corps Rifle Team.

“The amount of knowledge available to a shooter at division matches is immense,” added Staff Sgt. John Frost, the Miramar shooting team captain. “What Marines learn here can transform them from an OK shooter into a great shooter.”

Although Marines gain personal knowledge while attending this match, it is meant to better the entire Marine Corps, explained Frost. Marines can take what they learn back to their units.

Last year, the competition hosted little more than 100 Marines. Although that number doubled for this year’s competition, the match can host 400 Marines total.

Some units have trouble releasing a Marine for three weeks, explained Frost. However, Marines receive annual rifle qualifications and pistol qualification scores during division matches, which would take as much time during the year.

The division match rules mandate that each Marine fire both pistol and rifle during the competition.

“Firing a pistol with one hand creates grip and sight-alignment problems that a two-handed shooter doesn’t have to deal with,” said Cpl. Justin Stewart, a pistol coach at the Carlos Hathcock Range Complex aboard East Miramar. “Because the weapon is so short, errors in site alignment can make the difference in hitting black or completely missing the target.”

Competitors who finished in the top 10 percent of each competition move on to compete in the Marine Corps Championship Matches at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune April 6 through 24.