U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Division, fire M38 Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifles while conducting a live fire exercise at range Hathcock. The Marines received training and were tested to become designated marksmen with the M38.

The Marine Corps first began fielding the M38 designated marksman rifle in late 2017. Although certain M27s were employed as marksman rifles since 2016, the M38 version outfits the M27 with a Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm variable power scope, the same optic fitted on the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle. The naming of the M38 followed a similar convention to the M27, being named after the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines unit that tested the rifle out. Full operational capability is planned for September 2018. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M27_Infantry_Automatic_Rifle)