“I worked with her for one day and she walked away with sharpshooter, because she paid attention,” said O’Bannon.

A small section of Marines prepares the pistol and rifle ranges where Marines test their annual marksmanship qualifications, miles from mainside Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, surrounded by empty grass plains and crumbling house foundations.

The instructors, coaches and range personnel of the 3rd Marksmanship Training Unit ensure Miramar Marines maintain Corps marksmanship standards.

“Our goal is for every shooter to walk out of here an expert,” said Sgt. Brandon Lantrip, a pistol coach with 3 MTU.

With more than 200 rifle shooters and 130 pistol shooters per qualification day, that is a lofty goal.

The range coaches and combat marksmanship trainers, or “blocks,” have played a crucial role in maintaining the range’s greater than 99 percent success rate.

O’Bannon, a former police officer and pistol coach, volunteered to be a range coach, but Marines can be temporarily assigned to the 3 MTU based on the personnel needs of the range.

Potential coaches then undergo a three to four week coach’s course, depending on the size of the class, held here, where they must qualify as an expert with the rifle and at least sharpshooter with the pistol. Additionally, they must master advanced marksmanship techniques and night shooting.

Noncommissioned officers who wish to advance to combat marksmanship trainers must complete an additional course that involves public speaking and teaching techniques.

For the range staff, the reward of becoming an instructor is worth the effort.

“I like teaching and assisting Marines to become better marksmen,” said Lantrip.

“I’ve always wanted to be a [combat marksmanship trainer], since boot camp,” said O’Bannon. “It’s everything I wanted it to be.”

All Marines are required to qualify every fiscal year with the rifle, making range personnel essential to the mission of the Marine Corps.

Since most Marines do not have the advantage of spending all day, every day on the range, the coaches and blocks offered advice for Marines looking to improve their scores.

“The biggest thing shooters can do to improve their score is listen to their coaches, pay attention in classes and take [their] time,” said O’Bannon.

The isolated drive to the range might evoke a sense of desolation to the average passerby, but it has fostered something positive for its resident personnel.

“It’s the best camaraderie I’ve had since I’ve been in,” said O’Bannon.

Soon the range will be alive with hundreds of shooters sending rounds to their targets. The range staff must ensure that the rifle and pistol ranges are cleared of debris, the targets are ready and the automated target pits are working correctly.

While working to coach more expert marksmen every day, range personnel like Lantrip and O’Bannon ensure that every Marine is a rifleman.

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