Master Marksmen in the light infantry

Infantry Magazine, Spring, 2002 by Kenneth Wolfe

Infantrymen today continue to struggle with marksmanship, especially under combat conditions. Trends at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) continue to document that soldiers do not engage targets effectively. Until unit leaders make marksmanship a command focus instead of a biannual requirement, it will continue to be unrealistic, less cost effective, and in many cases unsafe. Consider the precious training hours and dollars spent on leadership development and unit training. All of that time and money is wasted if soldiers cannot effectively engage targets.

I recommend that all light infantry battalions designate a Master Marksman, and make him responsible for establishing and directing a comprehensive marksmanship program within the unit. The Army's mechanized infantry and armor units as well as the Marine Corps have such programs in place.

The results have been superbly trained individual marksman and gun crews. The Master Gunner programs work.

With the support of his commander, a battalion Master Marksman would improve marksmanship proficiency in the light infantry battalions. A Master Marksman would be the battalion commander's subject matter expert on all weapons organic to the battalion. That alone would provide a single point of contact for improving the unit's corporate knowledge of its organic weapons and their sighting systems. That is no small task, considering that the inventory includes night vision devices (NVDs), laser and optic, 9mm, M4, M203, M249, M240B, M24, M2 .50 caliber machinegun, and Mk 19 grenade launcher. But it is through training that the Master Marksman would really come into play as a combat multiplier. He would plan the battalion's consolidated weapons training in each training cycle and prior to the assumption of any Readiness Force mission, or deployment for war or operations other than war.

The assistant S-3 NCO would be a good candidate for this job. The light infantry battalion military table of organization and equipment (MTOE) already allows for two sergeants first class in the battalion S-3 shop, and one of them should be able to fill this role. As senior NCOs, these sergeants are experienced with all weapon systems within the battalion. Being in the 5-3 shop is ideal. They are also placed where they can draw on the knowledge represented in the Department of the Army school system as well as local small-arms schools. The Master Marksman would have direct contact with the 5-3-the most important training officer in the battalion. He would interact daily with the battalion training area and ammunition NCO to procure ranges and Class V. Moreover, the Master Marksman would become an integral part of the battalion's training and support meetings along with the battalion and company XOs.

The duties and responsibilities of a battalion Master Marksman would closely resemble those of a mechanized infantry or armor Master Gunner. He would establish the battalion training plan for all Standards in Training Commission (STRAC) qualification and small arms training. Such duties would encompass scheduling, preparing, and running the ranges. The Master Marksman would attend preliminary marksman instruction, qualifications, zero ranges, and known-distance ranges. He could offer instruction on the fundamental elements of marksmanship, shadowbox, dime-washer drills, Weaponeers, dry firing exercises, and other subjects.

As the battalion became more proficient at these tasks, the Master Marksman could transition into more advanced techniques of fire, close quarters marksmanship (CQM), close quarters battle, reflexive and quick fire, as well as the four positions for firing on a known distance range--sitting, kneeling, off-hand prone, and rapid fire. Flat 25-meter ranges would be used to teach controlled pairs, automatic fires, turning and running techniques--all a part of his duties. As the soldiers and leaders became skilled in marksmanship, the battalion Master Marksman would take marksmanship to the next level, which might include engaging targets in rooms, hallways, and stairwells. These make up a unique phase of CQM. Point-man and quick-reaction drills for patrolling should be incorporated and emphasized. Ranges for crew-served weapons should meet more than the requirements of zero and qualification, and should also include targets with depth, linear, oblique, and enfilade engagements. Traversing and elevation manipulat ion and the understanding of the traversing bar on a tripod would all be within his sphere of responsibilities. The battalion Master Marksman should establish qualifying standards in each of these tasks so that live-fire exercises would become more meaningful.

Where does the battalion Master Marksman gain the knowledge to accomplish all these requirements? He should already have these skills due to his rank and experience. Sniper School would be a tremendous asset for the pure fundamentals of marksmanship. M249 and M240B courses from the 29th Infantry at Fort Benning would be another avenue to explore. Mobile training teams (MTTs) could easily be laid on from the Special Forces community or the Army Marksmanship Unit for more advanced shooting at minimal cost to any unit.