Marine Designated Marksman

A USMC Designated Marksman with Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) more formally United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO. A modified and accurized version of the M14 rifle built for and used solely by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

The storyline says: "Marines Prevailed in a Day of Battle" and the full article can be found at: http://www.military.com/news/article/marines-prevailed-in-a-day-of-battle.html?ESRC=eb.nl

It started out just like any other Afghan patrol. Thirty or so combat experienced Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment pass through the village of Shewan, in Afghanistan's Farah province where they unknowingly ran into an ambush, insurgents team about 250, Marine team 30 or so.

The Marines leader said that he was prepared for contact but wasn't expecting any at that point. Eight hours after the ambush started it ended with 50 dead insurgents and one injured Marine.

Soap Box Ravings says it was the Marines training and team work applied aggressively to the enemy which saved the day. Initially the Marines concentrated on holding off the assault while they rescued one marine trapped in a vehicle. Then they pulled back, reorganized and aggressively took the fight to the enemy who were surprised the Marines returned to the fight.

Soap Box Ravings points out one major force multiplier for the Marines was their Designated Marksman who coolly shot insurgent after insurgent all while exposed to and under heavy enemy fire. This Designated Marksman killed 20 insurgents with 20 rounds.

Soap Box Ravings feels that the Marines developed the Designated Marksman because they understand help is minutes away and often times they can not afford to wait. As you think about this, remember the Marines have always maintained every Marine is a rifleman. However they also understand there are some Marines are better rifleman than others and to arm them with more accurate equipment is a good thing.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion, Army rifle training does not equal Marine rifle training. My son-in-law, a former Marine who is now an Army Apache pilot had a conversation on the Army rifle range regarding the M-16 rifle's ability to hit man-sized targets outside 300 yards. The Army rifle instructors were not trained to engage outside of 300 yards.