Weapons Training Battalion (WTBn) Quantico held the FY26 Combat Marksmanship Symposium (CMS) in September 2025 and DC T&E has now approved the outcomes. Most of the results are institutional, but several policy changes took effect with this MARADMIN, and one is specific to the Reserve component.
Heads up, MARFORRES: Marine Forces Reserve can now process annual marksmanship qualification waivers through the first General Officer in the chain of command, effective immediately.
Who it affects
All Marines are touched by at least some of these changes. The waiver authority change is specific to MARFORRES. The pistol qualification updates affect anyone who shoots the Combat Pistol Program (CPP). The Tables 3-6 change affects units with GFM deployment requirements. The target change affects anyone running the Annual Rifle Qualification (ARQ).
What you need to do
Most of this is awareness. A few items may require your unit to update how it plans and executes marksmanship training:
- Marksmanship waivers (Reserve-specific): If your unit needs a waiver for an annual marksmanship qualification, it now goes through the first General Officer in your chain of command. Talk to your S-1 or range officer about the process.
- CPP with red dot: If your unit has M17 Romeo red dot optics (NSN
1240-01-713-979) funded as unit equipment, Marines are now authorized to use them for CPP qualification. - CPP with Glock: Marines in units issued Glocks by the USMC (e.g., MARSOC) or the Department of State (e.g., Marine Corps Embassy Security Group) may now use those pistols for CPP qualification.
- ARQ targets: "Destroy" targets are no longer required for ARQ. Units may substitute the "Drill" target, which cuts costs and logistics. No score impact.
- Tables 3-6: These courses of fire are no longer annual requirements. They are now tied to GFM deployment work-up cycles. Units execute them before a deployment, not on a calendar year basis. If your unit has no near-term GFM deployment, confirm with your chain of command how this applies.
Key dates
- Effective now: All policy changes listed in paragraphs 3.b.1 through 3.b.6 (red dot CPP, Glock CPP, Tables 3-6 as GFM requirement, ARQ target change, IMA/RMA scoring metrics, MARFORRES waiver authority).
- Q2 FY26: WTBn-Quantico submits revised Combat Marksmanship Coach (CMC) and Combat Marksmanship Trainer (CMT) Programs of Instruction.
- May 2026: WTBn-Quantico will publish the calling message for the FY27 CMS.
- FY27 CMS: Entry-Level Qualification standardization proposal expected.
- FY29: Target date for ARQ-equivalent qualification parity under the new Entry-Level Qualification framework.
The official version
This is MARADMIN 095/26. The primary governing order is MCO 3574.2M (Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Programs). POC is CWO4 J.C. Grayek or GySgt M.L. Paugh at WTBN_QUAN_MPMS@USMC.MIL, or by phone at 703-784-5275 / 703-784-5450.
This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.