PREPARATORY MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING

(SMUROTCU MILITARY SCIENCE – 1)

DEFINITION OF TERMS
a. Preparatory Marksmanship Training (MPT) – all marksmanship training that takes place
before live fire.
b. Marksmanship – it is a skillful art of shooting and hitting the target at a given or known
distance.
c. Service Rifle – the primary rifle of a military force the M16A1.
d. Caliber – diameter of the bore: For ex: The M16A1 rifle bore is .223 inch.
e. Cartridge – a complete round of ammo. Ex. 5.56mm ball, M193. Complete round 179
grains, projectile – 55 grains and 1.9cm long with a solid core. A standard ammo used by
military.
f. Trajectory – the flight path the bullet takes from the riffle to the target.
g. Cross-Dominance – a soldier with a dominant hand a dominant eye that are not the same.
h. Pop, no kick – a firing condition when the primer ignite and the powder charge does not.
This normally results in lodging the bullet in the bore.
i. Primer – a explosive device in the center base of the cartridge case that is struck by the
firing pin to fire the round.
j. Wobble Area – the natural movement or the weapon/sights on and around an aiming
point when the weapon is being held in a steady position.
k. Zero Target – a scaled silhouette target with a superimposed grid for use at 25 meters.
l. Alibi Fire – a condition during qualification firing when soldier is allowed to complete a
record fire scenario which was halted temporarily due to circumstances beyond his control,
ex: target mechanism, weapon or ammo malfunction.
m. Follow-through – maintaining the position after the weapon has been fire.
n. Lands – are elevated surface between the grooves of a rifle.
o. Grooves – are spiral channels cut in the bore of the rifle barrel.
p. Barrel Rifling – are spiral lands and grooves of a rifle design to spin accurately with
carrying power (M16A1). The bullet rotates by the lands once every 12 inches of travel
down the barrel.
q. Immediate Action – a procedure applied to rapidly reduced any rifle stoppage without
determining it’s cause.
r. Remedial Action – is the continuing effort to determine the cause for a stoppage or
malfunction and to try clear the stoppage or malfunction once it has been identified.
s. Aiming point – a place on a target in which the rifle sights are aligned, normally the target
center of mass.
t. KDR – known Distance Range.

FOUR FUNDAMENTALS OF MARKSMARSHIP

1. Established a Steady Position – the first marksmanship fundamental which refers to the
establishments of a position that allows the weapon to be held still while it is being fired.

Steady Position Elements

a. Non-firing Hand Grip – the rifle hand grid rest on the heel of the hand in the form by the
thumb and fingers. Grip is light rearward pressure exerted.
b. Rifle-butt position – the butt of the stock is paced in the pocket of the firing shoulder this
reduced the effect of recoil and helps ensure a steady position.
c. Firing Hand Grip – the firing hand grasps the pistol grip so that it fits the V formed by the
thumb and forefinger. This is placed on the trigger so that the lay of the rifles is not
disturbed when trigger is squeezed.
d. Firing Elbow Placement – the location of the firing elbow is important in providing balance.
e. Non-firing Elbow – position firmly under the rifle to elbow for comfortable and stable
position
f. Stock Weld – should provide for a natural line of sight through the center of the rear sight
aperture to the front sight post and to the target, fire‟s neck should be relaxed check fall
into the stock.

2. Aiming – 2nd marksmanship fundamental refers to the precise alignment of the rifle sights
with the target.

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Things to remember in aiming
a. Correct sight alignment – placing the center tip of the front sight post in the exact center
of the sight aperture.
b. Correct sight picture – has the target, front sight post and rear sight aligned. The sight
picture includes two basic elements: sight alignment and placement of the aiming point.

3. Breath Control – the third marksmanship fundamental refers to the control of breathing to help
keep the rifle steady.

Two (2) types of breath control techniques:

a. The first is the technique used during zeroing (and when time is available to fire a shot).
Breathing should stop after most of the air has been exhaled during the normal breathing
cycle. The shot must be fired before the fired feels any discomfort.
b. The second is employed during rapid firs (short exposure targets). Using this techniques,
the soldier holds his breath when he is about to squeeze the trigger, therefore the firer
must detect, acquire and engage the target before the exposure ends.

4. Trigger Squeeze – the fourth marksmanship fundamental, squeezing the trigger so that the
movement of firing is a surprise, the lay of the weapon is not disturbed and a large target hit
can be expected.

Guideline for Proper Trigger Squeeze

a. The trigger finger (index finger on the firing hand) is placed on the trigger between the first
join and the tip of the finger (not the extreme) and is adjusted depending on hand size and
grip.
b. Squeeze should start with a slight figure straight to the rear avoiding the left or right twisting
movement while observing the slack.
c. To apply the remaining pressure continuously and the rifle is fired without disturbing its
lay.

TWO BASIC FIRING POSITION

1. Prone Supported Position – most stable provides the most stable platforms for engaging
targets, utilize available support.
2. Prone Unsupported Position – offers another stable firing platform for engaging fires
spreads his feet a comfortable his feet a comfortable distance apart and drop to his knees.
Using the bursts of the rifle as a pivot, the firer rolls into his non firing side, placing the
non-firing elbow close to the magazine and keep heels close to the ground, relaxed.

ADVANCE POSITIONS
To adapt to the combat situation:
1. Alternate Position – alternative to both supported and unsupported and unsupported
position, allowing the fire to cock his firing leg, relaxes the stomach.
2. Kneeling Supported Position – take advantage of available cover that can support the
body, provide firing accuracy.
3. Kneeling Unsupported Position – assume quickly can provide also a stability without
support.
4. Standing Position – provide least stability and experience a great wobble area.
5. Modified Firing Position – highly experience firers. Take advantage on available cover
and use of anything that helps to steady the rifle to allow him to hit more combat targets.
6. Mil Opn in Urban Terrain (MOUT) firing position- although the same principles of rifle
marksmanship apply the selection and use of firing positions during mout requires some
special consideration.
Examples:
a. Firing over Rooftops – requirement for long range observation only the parts of his
body necessary to engage target.
b. Firing around Obstacle – firing from around corner require the soldier to avoid
exposing himself to enemy fire by firing from opposite shoulder.
c. Firing from Windows – highlight the need to stay in the shadow while firing from the
windows, And the requirements for cover and rifle support.

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DRY FIRE
Dry fire is a technique use to stimulate the firing of live round with an empty weapon. Any
application of the four (4) fundamentals of marksmanship without live ammunition may be referred
to as dry fire.
Two examples of Dry Fire
1. Target Box Exercise – rifle holding device checks consistency of aiming placement of
three round shot groups in a dry fire environment. The target man triangulates the three
shots and labels it shot group number one. It is the standard requirement and may be
compared to obtain a 4-cm shot group on 25-meter live fire zero range.
2. Dime (washer) Exercise – dry fire technique used to teach or evaluate the skill of trigger
squeeze and is effective when conducted from an unsupported position.

PEER COACHING
1. Benefits – can enhance learning of both of them.
2. Duties
a. Peer coach assists the fire obtaining a good position and adjusting sand bags or any
available support.
b. Watches the fire – not the target to see that maintain a proper relax steady position, he
holds his breath before the final trigger squeeze he applies initial pressure to the trigger
and no noticeable trigger jerks, filches eye blink, or other reaction can be observe in
anticipating the rifle firing. If the firer if tense and nervous, the coach has the firer
breathe deeply several times and relax.

GROUPING
A live fire exercises with the projective of shooting tight shot groups in a consistent location, (4
cm or smaller) ion diameter. Firing conducted from a prone supported position. If 27 rds is
available for grouping 18 rds can be fire from supported 9 rds from unsupported portion. When
the soldier can consistently place three rounds within 4 cm roles circle at 25 meters regardless of
a group location, he is ready to zero his rifle M16A1.

Step in Marking a Shot Groups

1. Locate the bullet holes.
2. Connect three bullet holes on the target with a straight line.
3. Number the shot group.
4. Marks the approximate center of the shot group with “x”.
Purpose of Marking an “X” – “X” represent the center of the three 93) shots. “X” is placed
closer to the two near shots. This is not a precise marking that requires measurement but
it is a procedure to helping shot group analysis. The three rounds shot group confirms the
variation inherent in the rifle, ammunition and firer.
5. Locating Center of Shot Groups – the central point of all nine (9) bullets fired can be found
treating the “X” as a single bullet.

RIFLE SIGHTS AND SIGHT ADJUSTMENTS

The sights are adjustable for both elevation and wind age.
1. Wind Age Adjustment - are made on the rear sight and elevation adjustment on the front
sight.
a. Rear Sight – consist of a two (2) aperture and a wind age drum with a spring loaded
detent. The aperture mark L is used for ranges beyond 300 meter
b. Front sight – consist of a round rotating sight post with a five-position spring loaded
detent.
2. Sight Changes – to make sight changes the fire first locate the center of his three rounds
shot group and then determine the distance between it and the desired location. An error
in elevated is measure horizontally.
a. Elevation Adjustment – to raise the strike of the bullet, rotates the front sight post
the desired number of clicks (in the direction of the arrow marked R) reverse the
direction of the arrow marked R reverse the direction of the rotation to move the strike
of the bullet to the left.

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ZEROING
Adjusting rifle to bullet hits the aiming point at given range.
Conduct of Zeroing on a 25-Meters Range
1. The best possible zero is obtained by zeroing at actual range. Because facilities normally do
not exist for zeroing at 250 meters, most zeroing is conducted at 25 meters by pushing the
rear sight forward so that LRS is exposed. Using the L-sight firer consistently aims target
center of mass then fires three separate three-round shot groups and numbers them. Based
on the location of these groups, the firer would make the sight adjustments. After the sight
changes are made, three more three-round shot groups are fired. Using the same produced
to confirm the zero. The shot groups must be centered within the zero circle.
2. Mechanical zero/initial sight setting – to mechanically zero the weapon, the firer adjust the
front sight post up or down until the base of the front sight post is flush with the wall. Then
adjust the front sight post 11 clicks in the direction of up or clockwise. This move the post
down into the well eleven (11) clicks. The soldier turns the rear sight wind age drum until it
moves all the way to the left side and locks.
3. Recording of Zero, M16A1
a. Front Sight – elevation zero. Since the center of the shot groups was determined to be
two squares high. The correction would be two(2) clicks down. With the initial setting of 11
this would be 11 minus 2, or 9 and should be recorded as 9 up.
b. Rear Sight – wind age zero. Since the center of the shot groups was determined to be
seven (7) clicks squares to the right, the correction would be seven (7) clicks left. This
would be 17 minus 7 or 10 and should be recorded as R10. The data record for the firer
in this example.
Recording of Data
MSG TEDDY R ZAMORA (OS) PA
01 Jun 02
FS 9 ----10
SN # ----671926
Note: These data are not transferable.
4. Battle Sight Zero – to battle sight zero the rifle, the soldier must understand sight adjustment
procedure. The objective of the battle sight zero is to find a zero range that allows for target
engagement out to the maximum possible range while requiring minimum adjustments to the
aiming point.
a. LRS – setting the sight to LRS to hit at 25 meters where the line of the sight and bullet
trajectory actually coincides and again at 375 meters.
b. SRS – flipping back to SRS to hit at 42 meters where the line of the sight and bullet
trajectory actually coincides and again at 250 meters. Most combat target are expected to
be engaged in the ranges from 0 to 300 meters, therefore, the 250 meter battle sight zero
is the setting that reaming on the fire. All target can be hit out to a range of 300 meters
without major adjustment to the aiming point.
Trajectory (SRS) – passes through mass of all targets of all out to 300 meters.
Trajectory (SRS) – passes through mass of all targets from 325 meters to maximum
effective range.

EFFECTIVE RATE OF FIRE

To deliver accurate fire into a target or target area, necessary when the tactical situation dictates
the use of most useful and effective rate of fire.
1. Slow Semi-Automatic Fire – one round every 3 to 10 seconds use during grouping, zeroing,
qualifying and during training allows for a slow precise application of marksmanship
fundamentals.
2. Rapid Semi-Automatic Fire – one round every 1 to 2 seconds, allows the firer to deliver a
large volume of accurate fire while conserving the ammunition.
3. Full Automatic Fire (burst) – should be utilized only after the soldier has demonstrated
expertise during slow and rapid fire. 3 to 13 rounds per seconds into the designated area, for
a few seconds may necessary to gain initial superiority.

METHODS OF ENGAGING MOVING TARGETS

Moving Target Engagement – the enemy normally moves by rushes from one covered or
concealed position to another. The moving target is open to aimed fire both times.

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Two primary Techniques of Engaging Moving Targets
1. Tracking – engaging moving targets where the lead is established and maintained moving
with the targets as the trigger is squeezed. Ex. The firer establishes and maintained aiming
point in relation to the target.
2. Trapping – a technique of engaging a moving targets. The aiming point is established
forward of the target, the rifle is held stationary and fired as the target approaches the aiming
point. Ex. The firer setting up an aiming point forward of the target and along the target path.
The trigger squeezed as the target comes in sight. In combat defensive or offensive position,
a soldier does not know if their target will be stationary or moving, what is important is to fire
immediately at targets occur.
Note: Moving target fundamentals is the same as engaging stationary targets and the procedure
used to engage moving targets vary as the angle, speed and distance.

Tips to Improve Performance in Combat

1. All soldiers should understand and apply the single lead rule.
2. The moving targets coming towards them on or a slight angle (0 to 15 degree) should be
engage as stationary targets.
3. Information should be presented and practiced should allowed on applying addition lead to
targets.

TECHNIQUE OF QUICKFIRE
Quick Fire (Instinctive or Quick Kill) – a technique of fire used to engage surprise targets at
close range or to deliver fast effective fire peers targets at close ranges (25m or less) fire may be
delivered in semi-auto/burst.
Two (2) Techniques of Delivering Quick Fire
1. Aimed – when presented with a target bring the rifle up to the shoulder and quickly fire a
single shot. The firing eye locks through or just over the rear sight aperture and uses the
front sight post to aim at the target, a target at 25m or less may be accurately engaging in
one (1) second or less.
2. Pointed – when presented with a target, keep the rifle at side and quickly fires single shoot
or burst. Both eye open and uses instinct and peripheral vision to line up the rifle with the
target. A target of 15m or less may be engage in less than one second. The difference is
speed of delivery between this two (2) techniques is small, pointed quick fire can be
delivered about one tenth of a second faster than aimed quick fire

Key to Successful Employment of Quick Fire

1. Repeatedly practices during dry fire training.
2. Live fire exercise.
3. Tactical consideration dictates which technique is effective in any situation and when single
shot or bursts fire is used.
Note: Pointed and aimed quick fire should be used only when a target cannot be engage fast
enough using the sight in a normal manner, this technique should be limited to targets appearing
at 25m or less.

EFFECT OF WIND
Wind affects the bullet similar to gravity as range increases. The effects of wind vary depending
on changes in wind speed and direction. The clock system is used to indicate wind deviation and
value.
1. A 10 Mph full value wind – move an M16A1 (M1930 bullet about –inch at 25 meters to
about 46 inch at 475 meters. A wind of greater speed increases bullet movement by nay
movement.
2. A 15 Mph wind – moves the bullet at all ranges 1- times more than a 10 Mph of wind are
much greater at larger ranges.
Ex. Wind measurements
a. Flag method – constant number 4
b. Pointing method – divided by 4
3. Basic Rule – when in doubt aim at target center.

PRINCIPLES OF NIGHT VISION

All units must be able to fight during limited visibility. Soldiers should know the procedures for
weapons employment, must experience the various conditions of night combat. From fatal
darkness to the many types of artificial illumination or use of surveillance and night vision devices.
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Three (3) Principle of Night Vision
1. Dark Adaptation – adopts to the dark in about 30 min avoid fire on the end of the cigar or
led lens flashlight this degrade night vision.
2. Off-center Vision – to view an object by night the soldier must shift his gaze slightly to one
side, this allows the light sensitive parts of the eye (part not used during daylight) to be used.
This can detect faint sources or reflection and relay their image to the brain.
3. Scanning – is the most abrupt, irregular movement of the soldier’s eyes around an object or
every are vary according visibility.

Night Firing Target Engagement Tech

1. Unassisted firing exercise – the firer must detect engage targets without (AI‟s or NV)
devices. Potential target areas scanned when detected firer engage target sign modified
QUICK FIRE position. Head position high some can align the weapon on the target and
looking just over the iron sights, stock weld is likewise observed. Both eyes are open to
the maximum advantage of any available light, and the focus is down range, ammo may
provide feedback. Repeated dry fire training, most efficient means to ensure the soldier
can successfully engage short range target (50 meters or closer).
2. Artificial Illumination – targets as distant as 175m can be engaged successfully with
some artificial illumination from hand flares, mortar or artillery when (AI‟s) is used utilize
in aiming the daylight tech.

Night Vision Devices – rifle amounted night vision devices are the most effective night fire aids.
By using this, the firer can observe the area, detect and engage any suitable targets.

RANGE SAFETY PRECUTIONS

1. The bolt of all rifle must be opened always
2. All loading and unloading is executed on the firing line with the muzzle of the rifle pointing
towards the target. Strictly no loading behind the firing line.
3. No weapon is loaded until the command load is given.
4. All firing must be controlled by signals; commands will be given by the designated range
officer/NCO. Do not fire until the command fire is given.
5. At the command “CEASE FIRING” all trigger finger must be automatically removed from the
trigger and shift to safe.
6. No weapon is to be removed from the firing line until it has been expected to see to it that it
is clear with ammo and safety lever at safe, bolt must be opened always.
7. No person is allowed beyond the firing line for any reason or purpose. No weapon is carried
in front of the firing line.
8. After firing, place the selector lever at safe, remove magazine and always keep the bolt
open.
9. In case of malfunction or alibi, do immediate actions or remedial actions which make the
barrel pointing to the target. If failed, raise hand, but alibi to be assisted by the DI or COACH.
10. Anyone observing an unsafe act will immediately call CEASEFIRE.
11. Consider the rifle loaded at all times, even in the break areas. Never point the rifle to anyone
you not want to hurt.

MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION
RATING OLD NEW ACROE (New) OLD
Expert 28-40 36-40 180-200 140-200
Sharpshooter 24-27 30-35 155-179 120-135
Marksman 17-23 23-29 120-154 85-115
Unqualified 16-below 22-below 119-below 80-below

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