Johnathan Ayala’s Post

I tell every senior leader I hire the same thing: "there are no sacred cows." It's critical that organizations constantly evaluate what they're doing, and how they're doing it. What got you here may not get you where you're going. Marksmanship in the Marine Corps is probably as close as you can get to a sacred cow. "Every Marine a rifleman" is a phrase drilled into young recruits' heads. That's why it's so cool that the USMC is overhauling its marksmanship qualification standards for the first time in over a HUNDRED YEARS. The change is going to give plenty of old Marines panic attacks, but it's critical that the Marine Corps continue to evolve to meet new threats on new battlefields. But it's also good advice for all of us - adapt or die. Link in comments.

Great article that fully explains, in detail, the newest marksmanship training initiatives in the USMC. If you don’t have time to read all of the Marksmanship Campaign Plan, then read this. If you haven’t heard of the IMA and JMAP, then read this article.

A rifle is a tool that is used to protect one's country and save one's life. If a recruit is not worthy of a genuine rifle, perhaps that recruit should not be a recruit. We're a nation of riflemen, and we have been since Lexington and Concord. I have not met many Air Force recruits, just a few walking around San Antonio and on Camp Bullis, but I believe they are worthy of a rifle, and not a cap gun. That trust and responsibility is part of what should foster a warrior mindset. Generations of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen have been worthy of that trust. They still are today, at least I think they are. We recruit people, but we build and train warriors. Also, we should face the fact that it is impossible to field a military without anyone getting hurt. We simply cannot engineer all of the risk out, even in peacetime. #AirForce #Army #Marines #BasicTraining #rifle

"This is not your granddad's rifle range," says Col. Gregory Jones, commander of the Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, VA. This is the largest overhaul in Marine weapons training since 1907 -- allowing for magazine-supported shooting posture and requiring higher scores to complete annual requirements in the prequalification phase of rifle training. As a reevaluation of marksmanship standards after a 2018 combat-based lethality assessment found skill gaps in the ability of Marines to shoot on the move or at a moving target at an unknown distance, this new system "is about increasing lethality," according to Jones. While military technology has surely changed over more than a century, do you believe a change of this size was necessary now rather than before? Read more below: #marines #military #militarynews https://lnkd.in/gZxEr-Cf

The United States Marine Corps has just made historic changes to its marksmanship qualification standards after more than a century! The new standards focus not only on accuracy but also on the speed at which Marines engage their targets, increasing overall lethality. [Link to the article] The largest overhaul since 1907, these changes reflect the advancements in technology and the need for modernized training. Some of the changes include allowing a magazine-supported shooting posture and raising the scoring requirements for annual qualifications. Additionally, the pistol qualification stages have become more challenging to better prepare Marines for real-world scenarios. To ensure continuous improvement, Marines must now achieve the highest level of expertise in the prequalification phase. This creates a forcing function for them to strive for excellence and constantly enhance their skills. The Marine Corps has also introduced the Joint Marksmanship Assessment Program (JMAP), a $34 million initiative that provides detailed data to create personalized training programs for Marines to enhance their shooting speed and accuracy. By embracing these changes, the Marine Corps aims to improve the ability of all Marines and further enhance the force's effectiveness. #USMC #MarineCorps #Marksmanship #Lethality #Training #MilitaryNews #Modernization #Excellence #JMAP #ServiceMembers #Military #Security #USA

The United States Marine Corps is embarking on a significant overhaul of its marksmanship training for the first time in a century, introducing new standards and methodologies aimed at enhancing combat effectiveness. This comprehensive change, detailed in the recently released Marksmanship Campaign Plan, seeks to address the evolving nature of warfare by incorporating lessons learned from nearly two decades of combat experience. The new training emphasizes realistic shooting scenarios that better prepare Marines for contemporary challenges, including close-quarters combat and rapid engagement of moving targets. The updated training standards introduce a range of innovative drills, requiring Marines to fire quickly at various distances under strict time constraints. For instance, instead of focusing solely on long-distance shooting, the new approach starts at 500 yards and progressively moves to shorter distances, simulating real combat conditions where speed and accuracy are critical. By revitalizing marksmanship training, the Marine Corps is reinforcing the principle that "every Marine is a rifleman." This initiative ensures that all Marines, regardless of their primary roles, are equipped with the skills necessary to engage effectively in a variety of combat situations. As a result, this evolution in training not only enhances individual proficiency but also strengthens overall unit readiness, crucial for responding to modern threats and maintaining national security. #MarineCorps #Marksmanship #MilitaryTraining #CombatReadiness #ModernWarfare #DefenseStrategy #Leadership #TrainingReform #MilitaryInnovation #EveryMarineARifleman #MilitaryExcellence #TacticalTraining #WarriorEthos #NationalSecurity

Marine Marksmanship 101: Lethality = Accuracy/ Time From first-hand experience in our specialization on movers, we can tell you that the Marines - as led by Gregory L. Jones's team at Weapons & Field Training Battalion - really want Marines to be the best marksman in the world. Not some of the Marines, but all of them. With leadership from the top - Lt Gen Kevin Iiams. First moving and shooting against static targets, then shooting moving robots. Then against defiladed targets with grenade launchers, then drones with EW. "Lethality = hit % divided by time" In the simulator, at the range, in the field😎

The United States Marine Corps has implemented new measures to enhance combat shooting skills and raise standards. Effective immediately, Marines will no longer be allowed to leave early from annual rifle qualification unless they achieve an expert score in prequalification. This change aims to improve shooting proficiency and prevent troops from settling for the lowest classification. In addition, a previously restricted shooting stance, the magazine-supported prone position, is now permitted for the entirety of Table One, the known distance range. This change reflects a departure from traditional practices and focuses on training Marines to shoot accurately and efficiently. The use of polymer magazines eliminates concerns about double feeds and spring mechanism wear. These changes are part of a larger shift in marksmanship training, driven by an internal assessment that revealed gaps and the need for improvement. The Marine Corps is investing in advanced marksmanship simulators and conducting ongoing research to enhance training effectiveness and measure range performance. These recent adjustments are just the beginning of a significant overhaul in marksmanship training. The Marine Corps aims to collect comprehensive data to support further recommendations for change and increase lethality. Stay tuned for more updates! #MarineCorps #CombatShooting #MarksmanshipTraining #MilitaryTraining #Lethality #NewChanges #Efficiency #TrainingImprovements #StayUpdated

Pearson Engineering LTD, Newcastle, United Kingdom, was awarded an $11,210,158 modification to contract for M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle Engineering Breaching Systems. The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) is a highly mobile armoured minefield and obstacle breaching system based on the M1 Abrams chassis, equipped with a mine plow and line charges. Pearson has provided the specially designed plow and the other mine-clearing accessories that are integrated onto the front of the Abrams hull. Work will be performed in Anniston, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2025. Fiscal 2024 weapons and tracked combat vehicle procurement, Army funds in the amount of $11,210,158 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. These tracked combat vehicles were specifically designed to clear pathways for troops and other vehicles through minefields and along roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices. It includes a lane marking system (LMS), an integrated vision system (IVS), and a high lift adapter that can be used to attach either a full-width mine plough (FWMP) or a combat dozer blade.The 72-ton, 40-foot-long (12 m) vehicles are based on the M1 Abrams with a 1,500 horsepower engine, but fitted with only a .50 cal machine gun and a front-mounted 15-foot-wide (4.6 m) plow, supported by metallic skis that glide on the dirt and armed with nearly 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg) of explosives. They are equipped with Linear Demolition Charge System (LDCS): rockets carrying C-4 explosives up to 100–150 yards forward, detonating hidden explosives at a safe distance, so that troops and vehicles can pass through safely. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gTqax6sQ