literal meaning vs. intent

In recruit training we got to fire three 5 round magazines to familiarize ourselves with the 1911A1. There was a coach standing in between every two recruits with a hand on their shoulder. I had no clue where my rounds were going and nobody got to check their targets in any case. On the third magazine we were told to fire as fast as possible. I did so. The corporal standing next to me said, "Maybe not that fast, private."