Edson Range, Military shooting range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, US
Edson Range is a shooting range on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California, with several firing areas organized into sections named Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. The facility is used exclusively to train Marines in marksmanship and combat shooting skills.
The facility opened on August 21, 1964, after Camp Calvin B. Matthews in La Jolla was closed. It was named after Major General Merritt A. Edson, a Medal of Honor recipient.
New Marine recruits call this place "up north" to set it apart from the Recruit Depot in San Diego, which they call "down south". This informal language shows how trainees mentally divide their training journey into distinct stages.
Training usually begins with a theory week covering the basics of marksmanship before moving on to live firing sessions. Days are structured and led by experienced instructors, so recruits receive clear guidance and hands-on practice throughout.
The Crucible is a multi-day final exercise where recruits complete military tasks on very little food and sleep. Passing this challenge is the moment a recruit officially becomes a Marine.
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