Rifle and Pistol Qual?

[donnyglaze]

Ok, so I've asked around, but no one seems to know the answer. What's the deal with rifle and pistol quals down here in Pensacola? As far as I can tell, there's no rifle or pistol range here on NAS, so what do we do when we need to get back to the range? Do we go TAD to the nearest range? Do we just make a wish and get the badge we want?

 

[CumminsPilot]

we're exempt while here. There is a pistol range on NASP, over towards the back gate, on the sw side of the airfield.

 

[Herc_Dude]

You probably won't see the range again until you hit the fleet.

 

[jarhead]

I haven't seen the range since TBS in 99...not because I don't want to go, but the enlisted Marines in the squadron has priority for the range slots and there are never any left for the O's.

It's not gonna help you or hurt you for promotion anyways...

SF

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

What's the big hurry to get your pistol/rifle quals?

 

[donnyglaze]

No big hurry, I'd just rather have a chance of hitting expert with the pistol. Not that the Distinguished Shooting Cross that I have now isn't cool looking or anything...

 

[Bevo16]

I have been in the Navy since 1996. The last time I saw a range was in boot camp.

(the two-way range in the desert not withstanding, didn't get to shoot there anyway..just a lot of looking)

 

[Phoenix1]

you shoot when you hit intermediate/advanced. jets for sure, maybe/maybe not for helos. and its usually only non-academy because most academy have their quals. if not, they will be out there with you. pistol only too, no rifle as we do not carry rifles, only pistols...in theater. just wait until you get to your advanced stage, if you need the qual, they will send you to your base range for it, if you don't need it, don't sweat it

 

[Herc_Dude]

Marines, not Navy gents ... we, most definitely, carry rifles.

 

[Bevo16]

Marines, not Navy gents ... we, most definitely, carry rifles.

Our helo guys carry rifles too, FWIW.

 

[OnTopTime]

Marines, not Navy gents ... we, most definitely, carry rifles.

During a P-3 det out of Thule in 1989, we carried shotguns to fend off polar bears in case we went down on the ice cap. Does that count?

 

[ChunksJR]

No big hurry, I'd just rather have a chance of hitting expert with the pistol. Not that the Distinguished Shooting Cross that I have now isn't cool looking or anything...

Ahhh, chest candy.

Don't worry, you'll have NAMs and COMs that you "earned" by really "not fvcking it away" in no time.

Good luck.

 

[donnyglaze]

I dunno man, the Corps is a little shiesty with their pieces of flair. I've seen many a set of wings with just a National Defense Ribbon. It looks so lonely.

 

[teabag53]

Dude, are you fucking serious??? Medals, shooting badges??? Is that what's important??? I feel like I'm on crazy pills.

Focus on doing well in flight school and then knowing your shit once you hit the fleet. Chances are if you have the time to spend at the range (and in doing that there is a good possibility you are screwing a junior Marine out of the opportunity to improve his/her cutting score) you are missing something along the lines of maintaining technical and tactical proficiency in your airframe. If you DO find yourself with nothing to train for that's aviation related I'd make goddamned sure I'm not taking a slot from a Marine that NEEDS it.

You'll get the opportunity to shoot when you need to in pre-deployment work-ups. If you just want to shoot well and aren't getting enough you can always do it yourself.

 

[NUFO06]

You can get the qual in Pensacola towards the backgate. The problem is getting someone to sponsor you (pay for it), I was going to do it with the reserve guys at training wing 6 when I was stashed but got classed up before the shoot. Best chance of getting a qual is through a stash job.