An FBI pistol training course is now the basis for training and competition for Royal Australian Navy marksmen.

Among the tests now faced by RAN personnel are the ability to shoot with both hands, change magazines quickly, to fire from behind barricades and cope with varying distances.

Our picture from SGT Bob O'Donahoo shows three men who have mastered the course and indeed are experts in it to a point where last month they were runners-up to Army in the teams section of the NSW Interservice Pistol Shoot held at the Army's Holsworthy range.

They are, left to right, POATA Mick Lumb from HMAS ALBATROSS, LSMT Tug Wilson from HMAS MANOORA and WOB Bob Harley from Maritime Headquarters.

Mick Lumb came second in the individual shoot. Army dentist, LTCOL Geoff Stacey was the top marksman.

"Although the Army always has a good team, the Navy's competitors have vastly improved skills and are doing well," PO Lumb told Navy news. "This year we spent five days at Holsworthy, two for training and three in competition.

"We use a course designed by the FBI to train its agents.

"For example we have to shoot over 50 metres, 25 metres, 10 metres and seven metres.

"We use the six shot Browning pistol and have to shoot both right and left handed. "We have to change magazines and fire up to 24 shots.

"Firing from behind barricades is part of the competition and we have a set time to complete the course," he said.

By Graham Davis