By YM/PFC Matthew Freese Camp Pendleton (CA) Last March, I participated in the First Inter-Service Shooting Competition held at the Escondido Fish and Game Association in Escondido, CA. The competition was between my unit, the Camp Pendleton Young Marines, the Navy Sea Cadets, and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). I’ve always enjoyed gun sports, so this was a per- fect opportunity to have some fun with my fellow Young Marines. Before we could start we had to have taken a safety course and learn the rules of the gun range, then when it was our turn to shoot we had to wear a shooting jacket, a headset or ear plugs, and eye protection. SAFETY was the most impor- tant rule! The competition included us using .22 rifles and shooting at a five bullseye target from 50 yards out.We used the top target to sight in our rifles and we used the lower four targets as our competition targets. We started out in the prone position shooting at the four targets, five rounds each.After that we did the same thing, but standing.We got 20 minutes for each posi- tion.After we got the “All Clear” signal we retrieved our targets and turned them in for judging. Although the Young Marines didn’t win the shooting competi- tion, it was a ton of fun and I am looking forward to doing it again next year. In addition to the shoot- ing competition, we were put through some other challenges. For example, we were put into teams of 6 and had to provide first aid to a fellow Young Marine,put him on a stretcher, and carry the stretcher through some ob- stacles. Next, we had to build a fire and boil water in 7 minutes with using only the items that we had on our bodies while a sprinkle of water was constantly spraying over us. That was a difficult challenge! It was such a great opportunity for team- building, not only with my fellow Young Marines, but with the other Sea Cadets and CAP members. It was a fun event for ev- eryone. Camp Pendleton: Our First Inter-Service Shooting Competition YM/LCpl C. J. Jenkins Heartland (IL) Recently, my unit was able to take part in a Glock shooting competition. The competi- tion was held at the World Shooting Com- plex in Sparta, Illinois.We enjoyed observing some very expert Glock shooters. In between competitions, my battle buddy and I found a bunch of splatter, which are bullets that have hit a metal target. The Glock range masters let me keep some of the splatter. Some of the splatter I found had brass on the back of the bullet. The range masters explained this was so the bul- let would move much faster and it helped to keep the bullet straight. The range masters also showed us different bullet casings made of brass, silver, and nickel. He also told us about different calibers of bullets and taught us about gun safety. We all had a great time doing this for the Glock Shooting Sports Foundation. It was all very cool to see it all happen thanks to Glock. I would like to give them a huge shout out and thanks for having our unit at the com- petition. Heartland: Thanks to Glock Shooting Sports Foundation Left: YM/LCpl C.J. Jenkins resets the metal knock down targets. BY YM/Cpl Rekean Williams Orleans Parish (LA) I wanted to be a Young Marine because I wanted something to do on weekends and during the summer. Before I joined, I used to see Young Marines march down the streets during parades. Now, I am one of those Young Marines that marches down the streets! I’m glad I joined the Young Marines, because we do a lot of fun activities,we also do PT,or Physical Training.I also like that you can go advance in the ranks. When you are in the Young Marines, you get to meet new people all the time at encamp- ments and a lot of other activities. Last summer we went to a big water park that was lots of fun also in the summer we go on week-long trips. I also like swimming and we get to do that a lot during the summer. That is the reason I love being a Young Marine. OPSO: Why I Love Being a Young Marine... 18 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT