Every Marine is a rifleman. The pistol qualification is one that is not required by every Marine; instead, only certain military occupational specialties, officers and staff non-commissioned officers require annual qualification on the service pistol. In order to ensure these Marines are properly trained with the weapon, the Marine Corps implemented the Combat Pistol Program, as reported by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
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| A U.S. Marine with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Intelligence Group, fires a Beretta M9 service pistol during pistol qualification at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 6, 2018 (Picture source: USMC) |