The Competition in Arms Program
by Capt Forrest W. Hoover
It is a unique experience to compete in marksmanship competitions against some of the Services’ best shooters.
The Competition in Arms Program (CIAP) is an enigma to most Marines. Many haven’t even heard of it, let alone actually participated in the program. During my time with Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, I had the opportunity to not only be exposed to the Marines who oversee the program but had the unique experience, especially for a commissioned officer, to fire in the 2005 Eastern Division and Marine Corps Matches. My time in the program made me a better marksman. It also taught me that sending our Marines to fire in the CIAP is a valuable, unique, and worthwhile training opportunity that enhances a Marine’s understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship.
The CIAP encompasses a wide array of marksmanship competitions all over the Corps against fellow Marines, civilians, and other Services. It came to fruition during the 1920s and has remained embedded in the Marine Corps since that time. Most Marines who participate in the program will normally be exposed to the first two portions of the program—the post and station intramural matches and division matches. The intramural matches are normally held at the major bases and stations and provide a competitive venue for units in both the Operating Forces and Supporting Establishment. The division matches are fired in four different geographical locations (east, west, Pacific and Far East) and also provide the same competitive venue while identifying truly competitive shooters.
 |
| Marines competing in the Intramural Rifle and Pistol Matches, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, in the summer of 2004. (Photo by LCpl Christopher Roberts.) |
During both matches, accomplished Marine competitors (either assigned to local marksmanship training units or the Marine Corps shooting teams) provide competitive marksmanship training that mirrors the Phase I training during a sustainment-level range (SLR), also known as annual requalification. However, this training goes well beyond what most Marines experience during Phase I of the SLR. The training regimen focuses on the finer points of marksmanship, such as effects of light, placement of the trigger finger, building a firing routine, and much more. While the classes cover a great deal, Marines also have the opportunity to interact and get one-on-one time with members of their local marksmanship training units at intramurals and Marine Corps rifle and pistol team members during division matches. A Marine with a question would be hard-pressed to find an accomplished competitor not only eager to answer, but also well prepared to offer a breath of shooting knowledge and experience that goes well beyond what the average Marine has had the opportunity to learn.
An intramural match is a 3-week program that encompasses a coach’s course, firing the requalification course for score, and a week of shooting the division match course of fire with a stock M16 and M9. Marines compete against each other individually and as teams (provided they meet the team requirements). In the division match course of fire Marines are introduced to smaller targets that force them to put more focus on marksmanship fundamentals and a competitive spirit that trains them to fire in order to win or improve, not just qualify.
Intramural matches are designed to introduce Marines to the CIAP, but they also give something tangible back to a Marine’s unit. The benefit for a unit leader to send a Marine to the intramural program is the coach’s course certification (with an 8530 military occupational specialty assigned after receiving the formal course of instruction) and an annual rifle and pistol qualification. The informal understanding is that commanders get these things in return for letting their Marines shoot 1 week of competitive marksmanship. In return, the CIAP benefits by creating continued interest in the program among our Marines.
Intramural matches are also meant to serve as practice for the next level of competition, the division matches. These matches last from 3 to 4 weeks and also fire the stock M16 and M9. Marines again compete against each other individually and as teams. Marines competing in the division matches can earn “leg points,” of which 30 are required to become distinguished marksmen (the mysterious “D” marking we’ve all seen in the performance evaluation system). Leg points are awarded to the top 10 percent of those nondistinguished competitors who compete in a match (also called the awards bracket). Marines who place in the bracket are also awarded a leg medal to signify how many points they’ve earned (Gold=10, Silver=8, Bronze=6) which is authorized by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to take the place of the traditional marksmanship badges most of us wear.
Marines who place or “leg” in the match go on to the Marine Corps Matches where all of the Marines who placed in the awards bracket in each division match compete against each other. Some of these Marines are picked up by the Marine Corps shooting teams as “summer shooters.” Summer shooters augment the Marine Corps rifle or pistol teams on a temporary additional duty status to Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico where they practice to compete in civilian and military matches around the country.
However, most of our Marines are not going to leg in these matches or get picked up as summer shooters for the Marine Corps shooting teams. Having Marines shoot in the National Rifle or Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, OH is not the true purpose of the program. Instead, the CIAP exists to foster marksmanship within the Marine Corps by giving Marines a forum to compete and improve. The CIAP is a tool that leaders can use to make their Marines better fundamental marksmen, which is a distinction of some merit all Marines should continue to strive toward.
 |
| Cpl Josh Huskey (foreground) and LCpl Joseph Temple compete in the Annual Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command Rifle Team Match in October 2005. (Photo by LCpl Regina N. Ortiz.) |
Applying the fundamentals of marksmanship undeniably differs between combat shooting and a known-distance range, but the fundamentals never change. Competitive shooting is not meant to be to be geared toward combat shooting. Instead it reinforces the fundamentals of marksmanship by making Marines apply them in excruciating detail. The fundamentals are the foundation of any style of shooting and an enhanced understanding of them can only help make a Marine a better rifleman.
Just because Marines do not win trophies at intramurals or gold medals at division matches does not mean they have failed. Marines benefit from more range time and the chance to learn from some of the Corps’ best marksmen. Both good and bad marksmen can improve their marksmanship skills by participating in this program.
As leaders, one downside to the CIAP is losing our Marines for 3 to 4 weeks. But, while the time involved creates a challenge in sending our Marines to compete, it is also what makes the program work. Marines cannot gain a deeper understanding of marksmanship in 1 week. It takes time, experimentation, and detailed analysis to truly enhance fundamental marksmanship skills. So, while losing a Marine for a month may seem like a hefty price to pay, by sending Marines to these competitions we are creating better marksmen and better instructors and mentors who will retain and spread the word to other Marines about what they have learned throughout the duration of their careers.
The intramural and division match portion of the CIAP is an effective program to help Marines improve their marksmanship fundamentals vice just sending them back to annual requalification ranges hoping they will get better. I highly recommend the CIAP for already outstanding shooters and for those who aspire to become outstanding Marine Corps shooters.
>Capt Hoover fired with the CIAP in the 2001 Fall Intramural Matches, Camp Lejeune and the 2005 Intramural Matches, Quantico. He has fired in the 2005 Eastern Division Matches where he “legged” with a Bronze Medal with the rifle. He also competed in the 2005 Marine Corps Matches. Capt Hoover is currently assigned to the Funded Legal Education Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
