MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines currently qualified under the annual pistol program will have to adjust to the new Combat Pistol Program with the release of MARADMIN 168/13 March 28, 2013.
Although the MARADMIN was released in March, the program's implementation won’t take effect until fiscal year 2014.
“The Combat Pistol Program is designed to simulate a scenario in combat,” said Sgt. Stephen McIntyre, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Indoor Small Arms Range operations chief. “If you’re engaged in combat and your rifle either jams or is out of ammo and you have the pistol, this program teaches you to sling your rifle and engage the enemy with the pistol.”
According to the MARADMIN, the new program has been under development since 2008 by Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Headquarters Quantico, Va. The new course of fire implements tactics similar to table two for rifle qualification, but still uses 40 rounds.
“There’s a mandatory class from November 1-7 for all (combat marksmanship coaches) and (combat marksmanship trainers) here in order for them to become Combat Pistol Program certified,” said Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Rosario, H&HS ISAR staff noncommissioned officer in charge. “They need to get this new card in order for them to be a coach and teach Marines this new course of fire.”
The CPP starts at the seven-yard line with three controlled pairs, two failure to stop drills and two speed reloads. Moving to the 15-yard line, shooters need to perform six controlled pairs and a speed reload. From the 25-yard line, the slow-fire portion requires shooters to perform a search and assess for every shot.
“What will happen for the slow-fire, is the target will turn for one second and then it will turn away, so you know something is going on and you have to get ready to draw your weapon” said McIntyre. “As soon as the target turns again, that’s when the shooter has to pull out his weapon and shoot. They have to do this eight times.”
McIntyre added that shooters need to perform reloads throughout the course of fire without being told to do so and also perform a search and access after each portion of the course of fire.
The MARADMIN states that the new CPP is to be fully implemented by November of 2014. However, the first program for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan will start Nov. 22, 2013, after all training is finished.