Low density MOS small arms gunnery

Infantry Magazine, May-June, 2005 by Erik Krivda

An HHC commander soon learns that there is a fine balance between training Soldiers for war and ensuring battalion-level training is carried out without problems in support or resources. Many times Soldiers in an HHC will only do the minimum for weapons qualification, strictly due to lack of time; however, more and more frequently HHC Soldiers are the ones caught in ambushes on the roads of Iraq. Therefore, it is imperative that each Soldier in HHC receives enough training to ensure he is much more comfortable with his weapon and able to kill the enemy as quickly as possible. This deliberate training program should be viewed as a small arms "gunnery" for the low-density MOS Soldiers.

First and foremost, a good PMI (primary marksmanship instruction) should be conducted with all Soldiers before they even head to the range. Many times in an HHC this is not conducted due to time constants or other support operations that might be going on prior to the range. However, this is a major factor in ensuring the Soldier understands what he is doing. In addition, one NCO or section should be responsible for the PMI to ensure the same level of instruction for all Soldiers in the company. As an infantryman, it is common knowledge after One Station Unit Training (OSUT) on where to aim on pop-up targets at different ranges due specifically to the amount of range time a new 11-series will spend at Fort Benning, but this is typically not the case for other MOS Soldiers. During one PMI after I recently took command, a new cook was asked where to aim on the e-type silhouette and he replied, "Always aim at the head, that's what my drill sergeant taught me." This Soldier had not qualified on his weapon since he had arrived to the company from his AIT. After one-on-one instruction that afternoon, he was able to get out on the range and qualify simply by adjusting his point of aim.

Of course PMI alone will not make low density MOS Soldiers more comfortable with their weapon systems; range shooting will. This is why semi annual qualification should be conducted like Bradley or tank gunnery. A standard range progression leading up to standard qualification and beyond should be used instead of one afternoon of shooting at a pop-up range. The range gunnery blocks start with a basic shooting level and work up to an advanced combat qualification scenario. After PMI the day prior, Soldiers should go to the zero range to either confirm or adjust their weapons zero. Either that day, time permitting, or the next day Soldiers move to Table 1 of the gunnery: the known distance range. On this range the Soldiers are given pop-up targets at 100m, 200m and 300m, told the range, when they will be coming up, and given no time limit to engage the target. The standard to pass the range is for a Soldier to hit at least 25 targets out of 40. This allows Soldiers to move on to Table 2:M16 qualification.

The M16 qualification standards do not change from the basic Army qualification system and include the NBC and night familiarization fire. Once the Soldiers complete qualification, they move to Table 3: advanced firing techniques. On this range Soldiers receive instruction on techniques such as steadying the rifle with a sling and how to fire their weapon from kneeling and standing positions. Also Soldiers are instructed on firing the M16 on burst. The advanced range is conducted on a standard M16 pop-up range, and the Soldiers fire from the foxhole on burst, and out of the foxhole in both the standing and kneeling positions. The targets run similar to qualification, ranging from 25 to 300 meters and are timed giving the Soldier a more difficult time to complete his qualification and test his shooting ability. Of course, with Soldiers firing on burst more ammunition is needed, and therefore, depending on your battalion's authorization, you may have to get creative on how many target exposures should be given for each firer. For our battalion, Soldiers in the burst fire received 12 exposures and were given two, 18-round magazines in the foxhole. In the kneeling, Soldiers were given three magazines with a total of 20 rounds between all three magazines, and were given 20 exposures. This ensures that not only the stress of a new firing position was given, but also that with no added time, Soldiers had to change magazines during the qualification adding more realism. The standing position typically was the hardest for Soldiers, and they were given two magazines totaling 15 rounds to fire at 10 exposures. To qualify on this table Soldiers had to hit 24 out of 48, which is not demandingly difficult; however, after this range Soldiers' confidence in their rifles skyrocketed.

The final gunnery table was Table 4: the stress shoot. This pitted the Soldier to use all of his skills in a competition. A stress shoot typically is a good event to push the Soldiers both physically and mentally, while still requiring him to use his shooting skills and hit various targets. Our battalion used two different courses: one on a maneuver range, the other on a standard M I6 pop-up qualification range. The maneuver range stress shoot was a lane where the Soldiers conducted IMT to move down range approximately 700 meters where numerous target beds were activated depending on the Soldiers position on the range. On the M 16 qualification range stress shoot, Soldiers IMT-ed between each firing position on the range while engaging targets down range. This final table gave Soldiers a taste of maneuvering in Kelvar, LBV, and IBA with plates and showed the Soldiers how breathing control, proper weapons handling, physical fitness, and ensuring a good weapon firing position can give a Soldier the edge to kill the enemy. This table was not a pass/fail event, only a must complete to be considered qualified. Soldiers were timed from start to finish, given points on how many targets hit (more points for the further the target), and had points taken away for improper IMT or weapons handling (i.e. failure to close dust cover prior to movement, or not placing weapon on safe before movement). The times and points were then tallied and posted in the company area as a competition. The highest scorers were given Army Achievement Medals and three or four-day passes, similar to BFV or tank crews that shoot distinguished. This final table was a great morale boost to the Soldiers no matter their MOS, and alter the first weapons gunnery, it became a 'rite of passage' event for new Soldiers during semiannual qualification.