This is considered the first nightmare of TBS. Nicknamed "Range Week," this is actually around 3 weeks of going to the range. How do you get to the range? Hiking there. After "Grass Week," where you practice WITHOUT targets and rounds, you'll conduct "conditioning hikes" to and from the range. Your rifle and pistol scores are graded, and entered in MOL.
You know who struggled immensely with the rifle and pistol range? ME. You know who was so bad and had to shoot in the morning and afternoon? ME. You know who went through a period of self-loathing and doubt during Range Week? ME. You know who shot expert in both rifle and pistol on qualification day because they had amazing instructors and followed all the guidance to a T? ME. That's right. I SUCKED at shooting. But the instructors were amazing and were super helpful. So when it rained on qualification day, I started strong and was confident I could get sharp shooter. I was ecstatic when I shot expert. Even more so when I duplicated it at the pistol range.
I'm no hot shot. My biggest piece of advice? BE PATIENT AND ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE INSTRUCTORS. They will give you step-by-step instructions, a check list, on things to do when you shoot. It reminded me of when I had to learn how to interpret EKGs. I would study, and then when it came to identifying heart rhythms, I was like what the hell does this mean? Then I was like, go through the steps. Okay the QRS complexes are regular but the P waves do not correspond at all with the QRS, must be a complete heat block. Do the same at the rifle range. Each miss on the target usually corresponds to something wrong you are doing. Finger position on trigger, breathing, shoulder position, posture. Trust me, if you are methodical and take the advice, you will be fine.
The Marine Corps is changing the rifle qualification, so next year I know I won't do as well. But for now, for rifle, you shoot standing, kneeling, sitting, prone. At the pistol range, all standing. You'll shoot at various distances. Please, listen to the instructors. Also, on qualification day, bring some extra gold bars. It's tradition to give a gold bar to your instructor if you shoot expert. I wasn't expecting to shoot expert, but when I did, I ended up taking all my ranks off my blouse and gortex, because so many instructors helped me. One of my best memories of my life was my instructors' reaction when I hit a "possible" (all ten rapid fire shots hitting the center). I was wearing hearing protection but I could here them yell "OHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" when my target appeared back up. The instructors are awesome, and if they could help me, they must be the best. <3