Naval gunner's attention to detail improves hit rates

During exercises at sea in recent years, a sudden alarm shattered the calm, forcing Ma into action. Onboard the warship, he rushed to his battle station, swiftly carrying out the steps to aim, lock and fire. In an instant, flames burst from the barrel as shells thundered forward, striking their targets with accuracy.

The deftness of his dedication and how it rubs off on those around him is what makes Ma stand out.

Ma's path to mastering the main gun was not smooth. When he joined the Navy at 18, he was assigned as an anti-aircraft machine gunner on a missile frigate, missing out on the main gun position he truly desired. But his fascination with the main gun never faded. While excelling at his assigned duties, he quietly observed and studied the main gun crew at work.

"Why does the main gun crew often choose to operate manually instead of using electric firing?" he once asked after detailed observation. The main gun squad leader's reply was blunt: electric systems break down more frequently.

Ma realized that crews had developed the habit of relying on manual firing to avoid malfunctions, which, however, was at the cost of range and precision. "Equipment is like a baby that can't talk. You have to care for it and learn its language," Ma said.

Driven by determination, he pestered the gun crew for lessons, studied operating procedures, and managed to obtain an electrical schematic for the main gun system. He traced the wiring and took notes, filling a whole notebook. After a year of study, he successfully transferred to the main gun post.

His breakthrough came during a live-fire test while the section leader was on leave. Ma convinced the ship's captain to try electric firing, vowing to take full responsibility for any issues.

The results were unprecedented: eight direct hits in one test, compared to the unit's usual struggle to score even one. His name quickly became known throughout the fleet, and the ship formally adopted electric firing.

From that point on, Ma immersed himself in technical manuals and schematics, gradually mastering the structure and principles of various naval gun models. His meticulous maintenance work sharply reduced malfunction rates, transforming him from a novice into a recognized expert.