The Marine Corps has lots of shooting qualifications. We got ’em for handguns, machine guns, and multiple rifle quals. Most people who know a little about the Corps know that Marines qual once per year with their rifles, but that’s not the only rifle qualification out there. Nope, there are quite a few, with the once-per-year qual being the most important for a Marine’s career overall. Today we are looking at the little-known SOTG M4 Qual.
SOTG stands for Special Operations Training Group. This group trains Marines as they prepare for a MEU, aka a float. It’s a robust qual that is focused on close-quarters shooting. The SOTG M4 Qualification also ties to the SOTG M45 qual for Force Recon and their fancy modern 1911 pistols. Today we are going to run the course of fire and discuss its pros, cons, and what you need to get frisky like a Marine.
The SOTG M4 Qual Logistics
First, we’ll need a range of at least 50 yards you are able to maneuver on. That can be tough to acquire. This drill can be shot with the Mantis Blackbeard, minus the reloading portion, and done at home. If you have the range, you’ll also need 50 rounds of ammunition in addition to two magazines and, of course, a rifle.
Preferably a semi-auto rifle. The qual requires an M4, but any semi-auto rifle with detachable magazines will work. You’ll need a method to carry the spare magazine as well. Each part of this qual has a par time, so you’ll need a shot timer as well. You’ll need two targets with the head and torso presented. The Marine Corps has its own targets, but you can use nearly any other man-sized target.
Don’t forget your eyes and ears either. To set yourself up for success, load your first magazine with 26 rounds and your second mag with 24 rounds.
The SOTG M4 Qual — Round After Round
There are two parts to this qual. The first portion utilizes a single target, and the second incorporates two targets. All drills will start at the low or high ready. The Marine Corps expects the shooters to have a handgun. In the event of a malfunction, the shooter transitions to the handgun but does not actually fire. If you so choose, you can do the same.
Stage 1
Range: 50 Yards
Rounds Required: 6
Drill: Fire a pair of rounds standing, a pair kneeling, and a pair in the prone in ten seconds.
Stage 2
Range: 25 Yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: Sprint from the 50 to the 25-yard line, fire a pair standing and a pair kneeling in 11 seconds.
Stage 3
Range: 25 yards
Rounds Required: 1
Drill: Fire one headshot in two seconds.
Stage 4
Range: 25-15 yards
Rounds Required: 2
Drill: While moving from the 25 to the 15-yard, fire a pair to the torso in five seconds.
Stage 5
Range: 15 yards
Rounds Required: 2
Drill: Fire a pair to the torso in two seconds.
Stage 6
Range: 15-10 yards
Rounds Required: 3
Drill: While moving from the 15 to 10-yard line, fire a failure drill (two the chest, one to the head) in 3 seconds.
Stage 7
Range: 10 to 5 yards
Rounds Required: 3
Drill: While moving from the 10 to the 5-yard line, fire a failure drill (two the chest, one to the head) in 3 seconds.
Stage 8
Range: 7 to 3 yards
Rounds Required: 3
Drill: While moving from the 7 to the 3-yard line, fire a failure drill (two the chest, one to the head) in 3 seconds.
SOTG M4 Qual — Part 2
Now we are moving into the second portion of the SOTG M4 Qual. You will now shoot at two targets. The magazine in the weapon should hold one round, and your rifle should have a round chambered. This sets you up correctly for a proper reload.
Stage 9
Range: 50 yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: Fire two rounds on the first target in the standing. Reload your empty rifle and then assume a kneeling position and fire two rounds into the second target in 11 seconds.
Stage 10
Range: 25 to 15 yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: Start at the 25-yard line and move to the 15. As you move, fire two rounds into each target in six seconds
Stage 11
Range: 15 yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: Fire two shots into each target in four seconds.
Stage 12
Range: 15 to 10 yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: Moving from the 15 to 10-yard range, fire two rounds into each target in four seconds.
Stage 13
Range: 10 yards
Rounds Required: 4
Drill: At the ten-yard line, fire a pair to each torso in four seconds.
Stage 14
Range: 10 to 3 yards
Rounds Required: 6
Drill: Moving from ten to seven yards, fire two rounds into the chest of each target and then fire a headshot into each target in 6 seconds.
All Done
That’s it for the SOTG M4 Qual. It’s pretty solid. The drills are basic but do require proper shot placement. I prefer to use small targets to force accuracy onto me as a shooter. The course of fire has lots of movement and is one of the few I’ve seen that require a sprint.
On top of that, the course of fire offers multiple positions and the time limits aren’t super generous either. They aren’t tight all the time, but a slight mess-up will kill your time. It’s also a fun course of fire that utilizes some combative shooting techniques and multiple targets to get the job done. I also like that it starts far and moves in. Marines locate, close with, and destroy their enemies and going from far to near represents that.
What would I change? More reloads would be nice. They would up the challenge level. More headshots wouldn’t be bad, especially on the second portion of the qual. You can ratchet some time limits down a bit, but other than that, it’s pretty solid. Plus, it can be mostly be done with a Mantis Blackbeard for a dry fire experience.
Shoot Like a Marine
If you’ve ever wanted to shoot like a Marine without the need for a 500-yard range, well, here you go. Fifty rounds, 50 yards, and that’s about it. Logistically it’s fairly simple and can be shot with an AR, a PCC, or whatever else you choose. Will you add this course of fire to your repertoire?
