CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Moses is a combat marksmanship coach with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

As a CMC, Moses trains hundreds of Marines every year on rifle-combat marksmanship. He trains Marines from the beginning of grass week through table two, a two-week process, in which Moses can train anywhere from 15 to 40 Marines.

“The Marine Corps is a war fighting institution,” says Moses. “We fight wars with firearms. If somebody can't shoot a rifle, they are not going to be able to be useful on the battlefield; our first and foremost thing is to be ready for war at any point.”

CMC’s are responsible for reinforcing marksmanship fundamentals, overseeing live-fire ranges and instilling safety on the range. The coaches are essential for Marines to not only be successful on the range, but also on the battlefield.

“My favorite part about being a coach is definitely meeting all the new people,” says Moses, a native of Hoover, Alabama. “I'm a really friendly guy, so it’s easy for me to connect with the Marines and better assist them.”

To Moses, the range is all about his shooters. He wants them to have all the glory of a successful range. Not only does Moses make sure each Marine is using good fundamentals, he ensures the shooters keep the right mindset and shoot the best score possible.

“Lance Cpl. Moses has been a great coach,” said Sgt. Milo L. Harkness, a military policeman with the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal Office, and a native of London Mills, Illinois. “He helped me a lot with breathing control and reminded me to take it easy and to not rush my shots.”

According to Moses, he would like to continue coaching even after his Marine Corps career.

“When I get out of the Marine Corps, I really want to do coaching for law enforcement or for any civilian personnel as well,” says Moses. “Teaching in general is something that really brings me joy.”