Qual Time
“Firing Week”

Week 7 of Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island represents a pivotal moment in the transformation of Recruits into Marines, embodying the core ethos that distinguishes the Corps. It is a time when the essence of Gen. Alfred M. Gray’s powerful declaration, “Every Marine is, first and foremost, a Rifleman. All other conditions are secondary,” becomes a lived experience for the Recruits. 

This principle, a cornerstone of Marine identity, is not only taught but ingrained in the hearts and minds of those undergoing training. As they hold their rifle data books—tools critical for their development as marksmen—Recruits are constantly reminded of the weight of this responsibility. 

Week 7 is when the rigorous preparation of the previous weeks is put to the test, and the “one shot, one kill” mentality that the Marine Corps is renowned for begins to take shape. This week is more than just training; it’s the forging of a mindset, a commitment to excellence, and the embracing of a legacy that every Marine is expected to uphold.

All Ready On The Firing Line

Throughout Firing Week, Recruits carry their rifle data books, essential tools for tracking their progress and making precise adjustments in marksmanship. These books allow them to record changes for windage, elevation, and shot groupings, reinforcing their development as disciplined, precise marksmen.

Table One focuses on mastering the fundamentals of accurate shooting, with Recruits firing from various distances—200, 300, and 500 yards—using different firing positions, such as standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone. They learn to adjust to real-world conditions like wind and lighting, while also honing critical skills like breath control, sight alignment, and trigger discipline. This phase builds the “one shot, one kill” mentality that is central to the Marine Corps’ ethos.

Recruits face both pre-qualification (pre-qual) and qualification (qual). During pre-qual, Recruits work under the guidance of range coaches, practicing their marksmanship and making final adjustments to perfect their technique. Qualification day is the culmination of all their training, where Recruits must demonstrate their proficiency under real test conditions to meet the Marine Corps’ high standards. Success in both pre-qual and qual not only reflects their ability to hit the mark but also solidifies the mental discipline and precision expected of every Marine, preparing them for future challenges in the fleet.

Combat Fitness

To wrap up the week, Recruits will complete their final Combat Fitness Test (CFT), which is a critical graduation requirement. This test includes three key events: the Movement to Contact (an 880-yard sprint to assess speed and agility), Ammo Can Lifts (lifting a 30-pound ammo can as many times as possible in two minutes to measure upper body strength), and the Maneuver Under Fire (a course combining crawls, carries, and agility tasks to evaluate endurance and combat readiness). Successfully passing the CFT demonstrates that recruits have achieved the physical fitness standards essential to their role as Marines.

Your Recruit has crossed a major milestone this week—now well past the halfway mark of their boot camp journey!

I’m SgtMaj Paul Davis (USMC Ret), and I can’t wait to share more with you about this incredible journey as your Recruit conducts more shooting (Table 2). 

Semper Fidelis