MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- “Every Marine, is first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary,” said Gen. Alfred M. Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps.Five Marines from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron proved this Marine Corps motto when they competed in the 2007 Far East Division Match Marksmanship Competition at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Feb. 5 through 23.The team included Capt. Mike J. McCoy, Gunnery Sgt. Christopher J. Geraci, Cpl. Ruben A. Barahona, Cpl. Kent T. Holtberg and Lance Cpl. Trevor J. Good.The 17-day championship, which was broken up into rifle and pistol team matches and individual rifle and pistol matches, pitted Iwakuni Marines against 14 other units from III Marine Expeditionary Force, ranging from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172.“It was important we put a team together to show that not only H&HS, but team Iwakuni, can do something just like the ‘regular’ Marine Corps,” exclaimed 1st Sgt. Dave M. Leikwold, H&HS operations chief and native of Los Angeles.Team Iwakuni was put together at the last minute, leaving the Marines with little practice and preparation before the competition.“I told the team members everyday that it didn’t matter if we were competing or practicing, it’s just another day shooting,” said McCoy, H&HS air traffic control officer-in-charge and native of Salt Lake City. “Just relax, work on positions and try to improve. Don’t worry about medals and scores – just shoot, do your best and have a good time.”However, by focusing on the fundamentals of marksmanship, the Marines were able to come back to Iwakuni with medals, high scores and bragging rights.“Anyone who applies the fundamentals will shoot well,” said Geraci, weather staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge and native of St. Louis. “Sight alignment and trigger control are the keys to shooting well.”During the championship, both McCoy and Geraci put these fundaments to the test and won bronze medals.“I didn’t plan on coming back with a medal,” said McCoy in a humble voice, who won bronze in the individual pistol match. “But the one thing Marines have been known for throughout history is their marksmanship. I feel that if I can do well as a shooter, I am doing my part as a Marine.”Geraci, who won a bronze medal in the 1998 pistol competition, said it was funny when he received the award from Col. Sheila M. Scanlon, Assistant Chief of Staff for Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler.“Col. Scanlon, who did the award ceremony, looked at my first bronze medal and made a remark, ‘It’s time to change the color of the medal to silver or gold,’” said Geraci with a laugh. “But it felt really good to win a bronze medal again. It’s something not many Marines accomplish.”The rifle team placed 3rd, showing the rest of III MEF that Iwakuni isn’t just a dot on the map.“The four guys who I took down there were studs,” said McCoy with pride. “For a bunch of guys who didn’t get a chance to practice, we did a fantastic job.”“We were hoping for first, but third is still good,” added Geraci with a laugh. “It feels good to represent Iwakuni, and it’s kind of nice to spread the word that we are here.”Not only did the Marines come back to Iwakuni with pride and medals, but also gained knowledge about marksmanship. According to Geraci it is important for every Marine to be able to shoot, and he would like to see more people on the team for next year’s competition.”“Shooting a rifle is what Marines need to do,” said Geraci. “Every Marine, regardless of rank, needs to know how to fire their weapons. In Iraq right now, there are Marines who normally wouldn’t fire weapons firing weapons at live targets.”