When I went to Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC in 1969, the Marine Corps had 300,000 members on active duty. No matter what job you eventually had when you were in the Marine Corps, every Marine's first job is a rifleman. Every Marine spends two weeks of Boot Camp on the rifle range. The first week is spent "snapping in" or dry firing your weapon. Agonizing hours everyday spent getting into firing position and holding that position for what seemed like forever. Free standing, sitting, and prone positions were the norm. You couldn't wait for this week to be over, so you could actually fire your weapon. In 1969, on the rifle range, your weapon was an M-14. Week two finally arrived and we got to actually shoot our rifles. Week two is called qualifing week. You shoot all week and at the end of the week you qualify and are awarded you shooting badge. There are three badges awarded that week, marksman, sharpshooter, and expert. On the first day of live shooting on the range, I set a new rifle range record. My Drill Instructor came up to me and said, "Boy......where are you from, and where did you learn to shoot like that?". I said, "I'm from Kentucky and I've been shooting all my life". I didn't know at the time, but I was the best shot in the entire United States Marine Corps. I don't know if my record still stands, but at that time in history, I was the best shot in the entire Marine Corps.