Barrett is known for its innovative approaches in designing rifles. Much of this stems from Barrett’s non-typical background for a firearms firm. Its first product, the semiautomatic M82 .50 BMG typifies this approach. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee was founded in 1982 and centered on Ronnie Barrett’s idea of a shoulder-fired .50 BMG rifle. Barrett’s first conventional military success was the sale of about 100 M82A1 rifles to the Swedish Army in 1989. World events then transpired to give Barrett a major impetus towards success in 1990, when the United States armed forces purchased significant numbers of the M82A1 during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait and Iraq. About 125 rifles were initially bought by the United States Marine Corps, and orders from the Army and Air Force soon followed. The success of the Barrett .50 BMG rifles allowed for Barrett to expand its product line to include AR and precision bolt action rifles.

The Ronnie Barrett saga of one man’s vision coming to represent a whole new class of weapon that harnessed the brute power of the Browning .50 caliber round is a thing of legend. Many are familiar with the Barrett story thanks to several documentaries and articles that have been featured since 1982. Ronnie was a professional photographer and artist who wanted to create a shoulder fired rifle chambered in .50 BMG. He had no prior experience in manufacturing or as an engineer. He hand-drew the design for what was to become the Barrett semiautomatic .50 BMG rifle. When he took those drawings to machine shops in the area they laughed at his ideas. Instead of giving up, he decided to manufacturer his idea himself. This same attitude has carried through to other Barrett products. Ronnie Barrett’s “amateur” boldness in bucking the norm by challenging conventional thinking; his dogged refusal to accept no as an answer believing his product was a better answer was eventually rewarded both in terms of worldwide military procurement and recognition by his peers.

The focus of this article will be on the Barrett MRAD – Multi-Role Adaptive Design. The MRAD was initially introduced chambered in .338 Lapua in response to the United States Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) solicitation for a new long range anti-personnel rifle. One of the main objectives of the USSOCOM PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle) specifications is caliber modularity; providing military snipers with the capability to change calibers without armorer support. This shows through in the Barrett MRAD. While it would seem a sniper would always use the most powerful long range cartridge, the truth is many training venues and budgets do not allow full time use of expensive .338 Lapua ammunition. A removable barrel also provides the tactical operator the advantage of carrying the MRAD in components, thus reducing the package size during transport. The .338 Lapua is the obvious main cartridge that the USSOCOM specifications were built around. However, the military is also interested in maximizing logistics of using current cartridges such as the .308Win/7.62 NATO and .300 WinMag as well as allowing operators to choose cartridges that best suit their needs. Allowing snipers to swap to .308Win/7.62 NATO or .300WinMag saves precious resources while still satisfying mission requirements. If ammunition resupply becomes a problem in a combat theater, snipers can count on the availability of various .308Win/7.62NATO ammunition compared to .338 Lapua or even .300 WinMag. As a footnote to this, the ability to use .308 Win, and to a lesser degree .300 WinMag, will find favor with law enforcement agencies.

The Barrett MRAD represents the cutting edge of rifle technology combining many innovative patent pending features with time proven accuracy producing enhancements. The MRAD’s distinctive aesthetics immediately puts one on notice that this is not an ordinary rifle. With the MRAD, Barrett has created very accurate modular long range rifle. Barrett’s instincts for how to create a minimalist design while retaining the ability to change barrels and accommodate mission specific accessories is the key to its performance success. Just like the AR platform, the Barrett MRAD is comprised of an “upper” and a “lower” section. The MRAD’s upper is a monolithic rail system with a free floated barrel inside. As previously mentioned, the Barrett MRAD is configured to accept multiple calibers with a simple barrel and bolt change. The MRAD’s mission flexibility will be on display in this article by featuring the .308 Win and .300 WinMag chamberings. Time spent with Jeff Burch, the Barrett Director U.S. Commercial Sales really brought home the simple genius of the MRAD design. Jeff demonstrated the barrel change procedure with the MRAD. The procedure is instinctual and easily accomplished afield with only rudimentary tools needed that are easily carried in a drag bag or other gear.

The .308 Win MRAD features a 1:10 RH twist 17 inch fluted barrel and functions with a 10-round detachable double stack magazine. The .300 WinMag barrel measures 24 inches and is also fed via 10-round detachable magazine. Further listing of MRAD dimensions includes an overall length of nearly 42 inches with the .308 Win and 49 inches with the longer .300 WinMag barrel. The folding stock reduces length by nearly 9 inches. Weight is around 13 pounds. An integral 30 MOA Picatinny scope rail is ready to accept a myriad of optics and other accessories. The MRAD upper receiver forend rail system can accept additional rail sections for mounting of night vision devices, laser designators, and anything else a user would need to fulfill a mission. The MRAD’s bolt is encased in a polymer sleeve that adds lubricity and makes cycling the action almost effortless. The Barrett MRAD had no problems keeping scope reticle relatively stable when functioning the bolt even when firing multiple rounds in relatively rapid fashion; a compliment to its design and smoothness of the bolt. There is a “hitch” felt at the top of the bolt handle lift before it starts its rearward path. Once accustomed to this characteristic it did not hinder bolt manipulation. The Barrett MRAD has a familiar AR type pistol grip and safety lever. The rear stock is multi-adjustable in terms of length of pull and comb height. The modular Barrett adjustable trigger arrived set for 3 pounds.

A tactical rifle weapon system is made up of rifle/optics/ammunition/shooter. For this evaluation a Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56mm PM II with H2 CMR reticle was mounted on the MRAD via AWP rings. In the past few years, Schmidt & Bender (S&B) has made a couple of powerful statements by winning two of the most prestigious U.S. military optic contracts. Most recently, S&B was chosen to provide the optic for the U.S. Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) contract that the Barrett MRAD was created to contend for. Schmidt & Bender will be supplying its 5-25×56 PM II scope in a special PSR version to U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Special Forces for existing and future sniper rifles. The Schmidt & Bender optic is expected to serve and perform all over the world under widely varying and harsh environmental conditions; albeit under water, near coastlines, in arctic surroundings, in the jungle and last, but not least, in urban warfare. Another milestone that established Schmidt & Bender as a major player in the tactical optic market was the S&B 3-12×50 PM II model being chosen for use by the U.S. Marines on their sniper rifles. This was after two years of comprehensive testing by the U.S. Marines against twenty five rival scope types.

The first requirement of a tactical precision rifle is accuracy. Testing consisted of .300 WinMag Black Hills Match 190gr BTHP, Federal Premium 190gr Sierra Matchking, and Hornady 178gr A-Max TAP loadings. The same brands were used in the .308 Win portion of evaluation along with Winchester. The Black Hills .308 Win Match loads tested consisted of 168 grain and 175 grain Match bullets. The Federal .308 Win chambering was the venerable 168 grain Match load. 168 grain TAP from Hornady along with Winchester 168 grain Match was also used. The thought process is simple; if these loads do not produce accuracy nothing will. Prior use of these loads backs-up this belief. The Barrett MRAD shot all the premium loads tested into 1MOA or better at 100 yards; mostly better with 5/8” groups not untypical. This statement covers both the .300 WinMag and .308 Win chamberings. The bench testing was done off a Champion tripod front rest and rear sand bag. The accuracy figures are based on firing three five-round groups and averaging group sizes. Not a lot of time was spent at the 100 yard range. 300 yards and out is the more indicative test of a weapon system like the Barrett MRAD. This generates useful ballistic information for the shooter, especially when it comes to elevation and windage data for log books and ballistic calculations. Accuracy out to three hundred yards was sub-MOA and it was the shooter who ruined the sub-MOA potential at the 600 yard targets. The Barrett MRAD was tested over an extended time period constantly producing sub-MOA groups with several different ammunition brands – an important logistic consideration. Another sign of an accurate, dependable rifle is how cold bore zeros compare over time and if the point of aim shifts after a few rounds heat up the barrel. The Barrett MRAD showed no shifts in point of aim and cold bore zeros produced fine groups when overlaid together.

The MRAD’s relatively light weight for a precision rifle at 13 pounds translates into a weapon that can be carried afield without fatiguing the user and is easier to adapt to non-standard firing positions even offhand if needed. Tactical rifles weighing significantly more than the Barrett MRAD have been handled. While accurate from a fixed prone position, all were challenging to shoot in any other position besides prone, even if employing shooting sticks or other means of support. The 17 inch and 24 inch barrels are a solid compromise balancing weight, performance, and field handling for the precision marksman. The MRAD had no problems with shifting points of aim even when firing 10 aimed rounds in relatively rapid fashion. Let’s face it, the majority tactical precision rifle scenarios will not require this many rounds fired during one mission or call out, especially for law enforcement.

After testing innate accuracy from the bench, field tests were performed at Echo Valley Training Center. This consisted of shooting prone off a bi-pod or pack. The MRAD’s stock configuration is unique to say the least. After firing over 450 combined rounds of .308 Win and .300 WinMag, the MRAD’s ergonomics, especially firing from the prone position, came to be fully appreciated. The buttstock is fully adjustable for length of pull; further tweaking can be accomplished with the cheek piece, which can be raised or lowered per individual preference. The Barrett MRAD’s smooth bolt manipulation became evident on the range when having to quickly correct hold point based on spotter’s feedback and re-engage any missed target. The MRAD’s ease of manipulation aids a shooter chambering a fresh round with minimal head disturbance. This enables a fast, accurate follow-up shot on a target not anchored with the first shot or another separate aiming point if a shooter is in a target-rich environment. The ten-round magazine capacity is also valued in target rich environments. This is where all of the MRAD’s technological innovation pays off for the law enforcement or military sniper deployed in the field. Extremely accurate range rifles do not always translate into effective tactical rifles due to durability issues that arise when taken afield. The MRAD was tested during various range conditions and subjected to course conditions made familiar by training at Storm Mountain Training Center. An operator will quickly overcome any preconceived notions about the MRAD based upon appearance once it is utilized in the field or training operations. The MRAD’s advantages in accuracy and ergonomics will quickly become apparent. Any department or individual contemplating a new tactical rifle would do well to consider the MRAD – not only for what it offers in performance, but also the advantage of having Barrett as a company backing it in terms of service, parts and accessories.

Orientation and intimate familiarity with a weapon such as the Barrett MRAD is a must for shooter and rifle to achieve full potential. The modularity of the MRAD comes in very handy in this aspect of being able to convert to .308 Win/7.62 NATO, .300 WinMag and .338 Lapua. In fact, for most missions, especially in the law enforcement realm, the .308 Win chambered MRAD is more than suitable for sniping/tactical applications. The Barrett MRAD .338 Lapua is best thought of as a specialized platform when needing to extend range beyond 1,000 yards. The .308 Win still allows the trained marksman a ballistic advantage, especially when combined with the MRAD’s gilt edge long range accuracy. The .300 WinMag chambering in the Barrett MRAD fills the gap between the .308 Win and .338 Lapua with many feeling it is the optimum chambering by offering extra horsepower compared to the .308 Win without the blast and recoil of the .338 Lapua. The key thing to remember with the Barrett MRAD is that you have a choice and flexibility to adapt to specific mission profiles.

Sites of Interest

Barrett Manufacturing Inc.
P.O. Box 1077
Murfreesboro, TN 37133
(615) 896-2938
www.barrett.net

Schmidt & Bender USA Inc.
Service Center
(703) 953-1253
www.schmidtundbender.de

Echo Valley Training Center
www.echovalleytrainingcenter.com

Black Hills Ammunition
PO Box 3090
Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 348-5150
www.black-hills.com

Hornady Mfg. Inc.
3625 Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68802
(800) 338-3220
www.hornady.com

ATK/Federal Cartridge Company
900 Ehlen Drive
Anoka, MN 55303
(800) 322-2342
www.federalpremium.com

Winchester Ammunition
427 N. Shamrock St
East Alton, IL 62024
www.winchester.com

“Modern Day Warfighter: Ready, Lethal, Adaptable”

“We’re going to go shopping; we’re going to put gear in the hands of Marines in order to figure out if we need it. That’s turning the world upside down … we need to get Marines—junior Marines—together with industry in a conversation way earlier than we have been comfortable with in the past.” 

—Lt. Gen. David Berger, Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC)

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the 38th MDM Expo, three-star General Berger threw the door wide open for both close-range and leap-ahead technologies and ideas, recently enabled by significant budget increases after years of what many saw as intentional starvation under the previous presidential administration. And the Corps, with a deserved reputation as the most nimble and warfighting-focused of the U.S. Armed Forces, would shake up traditionally cumbersome acquisition processes by inviting and more seriously considering ideas from Marines of all ranks as well as businesses big and small.

Berger’s forceful commitment was energetically supported in all aspects of this annual Expeditionary Warfare extravaganza, where defense industry reps and Navy/Marine Corps program offices showed their wares and interacted with high value attendees—not just generals, Pentagon potentates and allied military shoppers, but multitudes of muddy boots Marines with plenty of combat experience.

Show, Tell, Listen

This year saw an expanded set of formal presentations, information panels, product demonstrations and “Booth Briefs” both scheduled and off-the-cuff for up-close interaction.

Perhaps most useful to potential vendors came on opening day in the form of info-packed Briefs to Industry by Marine Corps Systems Command and its components. In addition to stage-setting overviews, specific needs were identified in ground combat, logistics, support and training.

Ground Combat is our focus so we zeroed in on the presentation by Colonel Mike Manning, GCE Portfolio Manager, that led off with the very welcome news that funding has increased dramatically and is projected to move steadily upward by more than $133 million by fiscal year 2020.

On the weapons track, he’s looking for help from industry with a prioritized list including variable power day optics, binocular night vision goggles, multi-spectral imagers and rangefinders, medium machine gun modernization and a “next generation squad weapons/rifle,” a noble but seemingly endless quest.

Oh, and now that the Corps is buying 15,000 more of HK’s superlative M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, the ongoing search for a rugged, reliable, higher capacity feed device intensifies. Maybe like MAGPUL’s compact, unstoppable 40-round PMAG M3 drum?

Now, having the new hardware is one thing, but making sure it’s used most effectively by grunts and others in the fight is daunting—particularly as everything on the battlefield gets more and more high-tech.

Colonel Lois Lara, Training Systems’ Program Manager, called for emerging technologies to enhance and improve head-mounted displays and moving past serious limitations in current laser systems being used for small arms in force-on-force training.

The follow-on Brief to Small Business was a lifeline to those offering worthy products to meet identified needs but a bit short in the “how do we let the Marine Corps know what we’ve got?”

[Author’s Note: The website for MDM Expos is among the most comprehensive and user-friendly we’ve encountered. There’s a wealth of info for exhibitors and attendees, as well as an invaluable portal for those unable to attend in person. Links are available to the actual content of the Briefs to Industry from MCSC’s Commander and Portfolio Managers. Links are also available at marcorsyscom.marines.mil. For specific solicitations and contract awards see FedBizOpps.gov or fbo.gov. Also, Defense Innovation Marketplace is a comprehensive resource: defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil.]

Some additional presentations over the expo’s three days featured the “Close Combat Lethality Task Force,” “Synthetic Training Environment” and informed speculation on the “Future Operating Environment.”

New this year were concurrent presentations in the Marine Corps University’s on-site Expeditionary Seminar Facility. Attendees sampled sessions on “Expeditionary Energy,” “Cybersecurity” and a hush-hush (closed session) explaining once and for all, “Why the North Won the Civil War ….”

Regularly scheduled “Booth Briefs” were offered by a number of exhibitors, and we hastened to observe Warfighting Laboratories’ show ‘n’ tell on the tough and versatile Marathon Robotics system. These somewhat eerie, man-sized, mobile targets move around realistically and flop over “dead” when hit. MCWFL also provided on-the-spot briefings from Center for Lessons Learned, the Technology Initiative Screening Branch and RCO’s rapid development and delivery of operational prototypes to forces in the fight.

More than 360 Exhibitors

For all three days of the expo while deadly serious information was being dispensed in the Briefing Center tent, the other giant tents and the outside displays were buzzing with activity as visitors ranging from youthful enlisted Marines to high-level military, DoD and industry potentates patrolled the aisles.

Discipline is needed to avoid being overwhelmed by the variety of offerings on display and the sheer size of many including hulking AFVs, artillery pieces, real aircraft and the like.

All are certainly compelling to others, but man-portable weaponry is our stock in trade. 2018’s lineup included weapons from prominent names like American Rheinmetall, FN, General Dynamics, Glock, HK and SIG SAUER. Some of their rivals in the firearms arena included Arbor Arms, Geissele and LaRue.

Short Bursts

Space limitations dictate just brief notes on some of the things we encountered, so follow-up info is encouraged by visiting vendor websites as noted.

SIG SAUER MHS and more. Flushed with victory, of course, in winning the multi-service Modular Handgun competition, they showcased the M17 and M18 versions, along with a full selection of other pistols and long arms. Most all, by the way, were going to be made available for handling and shooting at the concurrent Marksmanship Tech Demo. sigsauer.com

FN 509 Tactical. Heavily advertised these days in most gun- and defense-related magazines, the versatile 509 Tactical drew a lot of admiring attention at their sprawling display that was dramatically dominated by the fuselage of a “Little Bird” helo. fnamerica.com

Barrett MRAD. Touting “Modularity Without Compromise,” this bolt-action tack driver offers six distinct cartridge options. barrett.net

AimLock R-M1. Augmenting battle-proven stabilized, remotely operated weapons stations with innovative automatic targeting technology, it features ruggedized computing and display modules with a gamer-style controller. aim-lock.com

LaRue Tactical BET. When a glitch kept away the weapons they planned for display, these tough Texans rallied to release a herd of 500 distinctive armadillo-configured “Beverage Entry Tools” branded with MDM 18 and the classic USMC logo. larue.com

SAAB Carl Gustaf. One of the bigger weapons we were drawn to was the latest M3E1/M4, tapped by the Marines to eventually arm every infantry squad with one of these devastating tank and bunker-busters. saab.com

Taking Aim

Aimpoint FCS13RE. The Carl Gustaf and similar launch platforms get superior hit probability on static and moving targets with this Dynamic Universal Reflex Sighting super system from Sweden. aimpoint.com

Photonis Vyper 14. The AN/PVS-14, a SPECOPS favorite, now gets 40% greater range with the new 4G image intensifier tube. photonis.com

Leupold. Well-proven in combat and competition, Leupold’s Delta Point Pro is a tough, economical, high-performance red dot for pistols, shotguns and carbines. leupold.com

Excelitas Talon. Rugged and compact, this new clip-on image intensifier/uncooled thermal imaging weapon sight gives all-weather performance. excelitas.com

Optics 1 I-CUGR. The Integrated Compact Ultralight Gun-Mounted Rangefinder gives the operator the ability to range man-sized targets out to 1500 meters. optics1.com

Trijicon VCOG. This tank-tough 1-6×24 power Variable Combat Optical Gunsight boasts an LED illuminated, first focal plane BDC reticle. trijicon.com

Nice to Have

MAGPUL Bipod. Their ever-expanding line now includes a clever bipod with distinctively configured, quick-adjusting legs. magpul.com

KF Armory Defense MIB2S. Designed for easy assembly, disassembly and extreme durability, the Modular Interlocking Ballistic Barrier System’s giant super blocks defeat .50 BMG APIT projos. kfarmory.com

Meggitt Linkless Magazines. Metallic-linked 30mm ammo is too heavy and prone to feed problems, so their linkless magazines are winners for machine-cannon systems. meggitdefense.com

Quantico Tactical LRAD. Adding to their offerings by leaps and bounds, this mega gun seller has now partnered with LRAD Corp. to offer the Long Range Acoustic Devices, including the new 450XL. quanticotactical.com

American Rheinmetall. Among its many superior quality munitions, the company’s 40mm MK281 training grenade uses unique target marking technologies, giving USMC MK19 gunners realistic day and night training. americanrheinmetall.com

Arnold Defense. Long recognized for superior launch systems for area suppression with 2.75-in. rockets, the new FLETCHER uses advanced rocket guidance technology for land-based, vehicle-mounted applications. arnolddefense.com

Laser Shot. Who can resist the chance to fire machine guns and pistols right in the middle of the show floor? Countless Marines and others tried their skills on the MMTS and SimRange simulators. lasershot.com

Revision’s additions. Perhaps best known for excellent ballistic eye protection, the company’s offerings now include the Viper Helmet System, tactical power packs and communication components. revisionmilitary.com

Spyderco. This highly respected blademaker’s pro line features the new compact Para 3 folders that offer full-service cutting performance for professional end users who want versions optimized for tactical use. Available in a variety of handle colors and blade edges in stainless and matte black. spyderco.com

Small Business, Big Ideas

We always make it a point to visit the Small Business Pavilion and again found much to recommend. We needn’t say too much about Cheata Tactical’s quick entry tee shirt for nursing military moms (cheatatactical.com), but the RHTT (Robotic Human Type Target) under development by SimIS shows promise as a potential rival to Marathon’s near lock on the smart, tough, roll-around sniper target market. simisinc.com

The Corps’ Small Biz office was strategically located right there in the tent, busily dispensing advice to eager applicants. marcorsyscom.marines.mil

Honorable Mention

Battle Challenge. Gyrene gladiators flocked to the expo’s newest and most spectacular event, to strain, sweat and shoot in an exciting and fast moving “Fire and Maneuver” contest that incorporates highly relevant military skills and fitness challenges that include precision laser M4 carbine shooting, cargo net climb, rope descent, man-down rescue and more. Participants compete against each other and the clock to earn “Best of the Best!” battlechallenge.org

National Museum of the Marine Corps. It would be close to criminal negligence to come all the way to the expo yet fail to visit the Corps’ spectacular, state-of-the-art museum, just outside the main gate. usmcmuseum.com or marineheritage.org

The Navy claims ownership of the Marines, so cutting edge research and development at Office of Naval Research (ONR) deserves respect and attention in exhibits. While this super high tech command has lots of spooky projects in the works, we gun guys are most interested in things that facilitate hole-punching one way or another. Some examples are the continuing work on lightweight and caseless ammunition, leap-ahead improvements in integrated day–night optics and lots of directed energy initiatives.

Something for Everyone

Other firms and military entities offering innovative weapon sights, ammo, accessories, edged weapons, hydration, chow, extreme weather clothing, rugged gear, VR worlds, tactical tea and more, enjoy not only our attention but that of salty Marines of all ranks swarming the aisles. Word of particularly notable items and other things of interest gets around quickly, and reps are always kept busy with show-and-tell duties.

Oh, and thousands of free copies of Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal were handed out by the friendly and energetic Chipotle Publishing team. Best deal at the show.

A full listing of exhibitors, their websites and other information may be found at marinemilitaryexpos.com.

Marine Military Expos 2019

Next year’s Modern Day Marine Expo is scheduled for September 17-19, once again aboard MCB Quantico, Virginia. This is the largest of three related shows where exhibitors meet the Marines on their own turf.

Marine West Expo 2019 is slated for February 7-8 at Camp Pendleton, CA, and Marine South Expo 2019 for April 11-12 at Camp Lejeune, NC. Both are held at home installations for two of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary forces, which are continually training and dispatching fighting elements to a broad spectrum of missions around the world “in the air, on land and at sea.”

Exhibitors at the Marine Military Expos meet and exchange information, face-to-face, with not only the users of their equipment but also the men and women responsible for equipping the Corps, tasked with a broad range of existing and emerging demands.

In addition to displaying products before thousands of users, Marine Military Expo exhibitors also exchange information with their target audience, listen to their needs and gain valuable insight into what works best in a wide array of combat, combat support and combat service support situations. Marines who have recently returned from wartime missions not only provide feedback but also convey suggestions and ideas that are often considered and adopted in designing or improving equipment and systems.

The decision-makers and procurement experts who exhibitors want and need to meet attend the expos for up-close and personal exposure to the leading-edge equipment, systems and services—solutions their Marines need for the years ahead. At the Marine Military Expos, networking opportunities among the buyers, the users and defense industry professionals are unlimited. Take advantage of those opportunities for your company by exhibiting at the Marine Military Expos: marinemilitaryexpos.com

Honors and Awards 

With so many high-level Marine leaders and other VIPs converging on the expo, important ceremonial events are conveniently scheduled to coincide. Bad weather on Wednesday moved the customary Enlisted Awards parade inside the main Briefing Center tent. There, eight outstanding Marines and one Navy Hospital Corpsman were standing tall to be personally congratulated by Commandant Neller, along with the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and the Commandant of the Marine Corps League.

For us, the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock II Award for outstanding contribution to marksmanship training is most prominent among these. 2018’s honoree was Sergeant Kailub S. Young for his exemplary performance while serving as the Line Staff NCO, Charlie Range, Range Company, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. His award citation notes some 4,589 recruits under his supervision and with his numerous innovations, achieved a record 98.71 percent Combat Marksmanship Initial Qualification, with 2,264 scoring “Expert.” This “undoubtedly enhanced the capabilities of the Marines obtained by Operational Forces.