ALBANY, GA. -- The most important thing a marine can learn is how to, not only shoot firearms, but shoot firearms effectively.

It was a little noisy at the marine base this week with marines at the pistol range for qualifying.

“It's from the 25 yard line and shooting 15 rounds, basically practice getting comfortable with the weapon, then move to the 15 yard line, shoot off three and three, then move what little bit closer and aim for black,” Said Primary Marksmanship Instructor,  Sgt. Nicholas McMorris.

Coaches walking up and down the line analyze the shooters and tell them how they can improve their aim.

“It's good that though we are a logistics base, that we are able to keep our skills up, it's always good cause you never know when you're going to need those skills,” Said Gunnery Sgt. Manases Cabrera.

In combat, knowing how to shoot could mean the difference between life and death. In the marines, marksmanship is priority number one; they have to requalify every year in order to stay in. And you can bet there's a little competition going on behind the scenes.

“Though they're concentrating on their target, they always find time to look at yours and talk about it later!” Said Cabrera.

All joking aside, it’s something these marines take very seriously.

“It's a basic skill that we have to keep up in order to defend our country.”