Merging technology and training: the 82d Airborne Division's master gunner program

Infantry Magazine, Spring, 2002 by Malcolm B. Major Frost, John C. Captain Jackson, Michael A. Master Sergeant Valdez

The 82d Airborne Division recently undertook a bold initiative to improve marksmanship skills and the lethality of the individual paratrooper. Modeled after the mechanized infantry master gunner program, this program is designed to provide a foundation of NCO subject matter experts who are charged with improving marksmanship through training, new equipment integration, and small arms systems maintenance.

Since marksmanship performance has remained high in the 82d, the purpose of this program is not to revive a lost skill. On the contrary, the influx of night vision devices (NVDs), optics, and lasers has given light forces an unprecedented opportunity to own the night in a small arms clash. Yet to date the potential of this increased capability has not been fully realized. The division's master gunner program is simply recognition that if we are to capitalize on this technology and increase lethality at night, we must have a core of experts trained on current capabilities, weapon configurations, and the unique technical aspects that each device brings to our weapons. Master gunners must also be intimately involved in the fielding of new equipment and be responsible for the challenges involved in integrating each device with the weapon.

Where We've Been

To initiate the program, the leaders first had to define its parameters. The possible weapon systems included the M4, M249, M240B, Mk 19, M2, TOW, Javelin, and 81mm and 60mm mortars. These systems were divided into three groups on the basis of priority and a realistic workload for the master gunners:

Phase I weapons are the M4, M249, M240B, and Javelin--the initial focus of the master gunner program.

Phase II weapons are the Mk 19, M2, and TOW.

Phase III weapons are the 81mm and 60mm mortars.

At the same time, the leaders had to make decisions about personnel. What is the appropriate master gunner rank at each unit level? Should they be given special duty (SD) status so they can fully concentrate on master gunner duties without distractions? Which units need master gunners?

Leaders soon decided that the program would begin with 14 master gunners serving in SD status. One master sergeant at division, one sergeant first class in each of the infantry brigades, nine staff sergeants in the infantry battalions, and one staff sergeant in the engineer battalion. Additionally, each infantry and engineer company was charged with providing one staff sergeant to serve as master gunner as an additional duty.

Identifying the right personnel to serve as the 14 primary master gunners was considered critical to the success of the program. NCO expertise would be the program's touchstone, and short-term sacrifices would have to be made to achieve long-term success. This important duty therefore fell onto the division's command sergeants major, who hand-selected NCOs to fill the master gunner positions. Each battalion and brigade master gunner was interviewed by his unit CSM and appointed with the principal duty title of master gunner. Upon selection, each was stabilized in his position for one year.

Where We Are

Once the initial pool of master gunner candidates had been selected, coordination was quickly made with 2d Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Benning, Georgia, to provide a foundation of institutional training on the key topics ranging from weapon configuration to marksmanship. As the proponent for all small arms systems, 2d Battalion provided the expertise necessary to conduct this training and help the 82d with this initiative.

On the surface this may seem a small point, but during the first phase of the five-week long training, NCOs from the 82d and the 29th exchanged ideas and tested various methods of mounting, boresighting, and firing the M4, M249, and M240B weapon systems. Every aspect of the training incorporated devices from the nightfighting arsenal. During this training, both teams of NCOs learned a great deal, shared knowledge, and dispelled myths about training with night-vision equipment. During the second phase of the training with the 29th, the master gunners concentrated on the Javelin gunnery and training devices, and earned the 2C additional skill identifier (ASI). Additionally, they were able to gain insight and provide input on new developments and upcoming fieldings from the Infantry School's Directorate of Combat Developments.

The first week of training began with the M4 modular weapon system with integrated rail adapter system (RAS). The master gunners received extensive classroom instruction on boresighting procedures for every device integrated into the RAS. This instruction included the characteristics and technical aspects of own-the-night equipment, the various target offsets for each aiming laser, safety considerations of equipment, mounting procedures, and preventive maintenance.

Upon completion of classroom instruction, and before firing a round down range, each master gunner had to display expertise and pass hands-on tests in the operation and boresighting of the laser borelight, AN/PAQ-4C and AN/PEQ2A aiming lasers, AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon site, and M68 close combat optic. Once this segment was completed, training moved to the ranges. The master gunners boresighted lasers and zeroed the back-up iron site and the close combat optic. They conducted dry-fire exercises, and practice and record fires with the M4 in various configurations during the day and at night.