Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, N.C. --
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, Jacksonville,
N.C. – After several days of pistol and rifle fire, more than 160 Marines
totaled their scores and assembled to be recognized at the 2016 Eastern
Division Matches shooting competition aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in
Jacksonville, N.C., 1 April.
Marines throughout the Eastern region were invited to join in this annual
competition. Among the collection of individuals and teams were three shooters from
Marine Corps Forces Command headquarters.
Maj. Pete Rummler, Gunnery Sgt. Derrick Stanfield, and Cpl. Ethan
Mawhinney, led by Rummler, created this team in February.
According to Rummler, it was primarily during their liberty that the
team was able to meet and train for this event.
“The only thing that was generating friction was finding the time to
prepare the best we could,” said Rummler, officer-in-charge, Marine Corps
Forces Command shooting team. “That’s not due to lack of support from the
command, but the desire these Marines have to do well not only in shooting, but
their day-to-day job as well. They want to do well at both.”
Though drawing weapons and firing every day was not an option, Rummler
and his team found other ways to prepare for the matches.
“We were able to talk through the requirements,” said Rummler. “We were
also able to do a qualification range, which assisted us greatly.”
From 21 to 24 March, shooters attended classes and were also given time
to practice. Preliminary matches were
held March 25.
“The next two days were match days,” said Rummler. “Every day was a
pistol and rifle day.”
The rifle events included shooting from the 200-, 300- and 500-yards
line in either “precision shot” fashion or “rapid fire.” For the pistol, every
shot was taken from the 25-yard line for either slow fire, timed fire, or rapid
fire.
Because every team was required to have four members in order to compete
in team events, Rummler had to locate a fourth member while in North Carolina.
“The fourth member of our team came from 2nd Light Armored
Reconnaissance Battalion,” said Rummler. “We would not have been able to
compete in the team competition had it not been for Sgt. (Christopher)
Bargerstock.
Of the 165 shooters who competed, Rummler was ranked first for
individual rifle. Stanfield and Mawhinney both placed within the top 15 rifle
shooters. For the team standings, Team MARFORCOM
placed second.
“I think my prior experience definitely helped,” said Rummler. “Gunnery
Sgt. Stanfield was an invaluable part of this team when it came to pistol
shooting.”
According to Rummler, this competition was the first for Mawhinney but
his enthusiasm and desire to learn was evident.
[Mawhinney] has never shot competition before,” said Rummler. “He
always worked hard, always put in the effort. He motivated me with the effort
he put in.”
The top 10 percent of the shooters will be
invited to compete at the Marine Corps Championship shooting competition later
this year.