The new Army marksmanship M4A1 carbine qualification course of fire is a more complex and realistic evaluation of lethality. The integration of barriers, unprompted reloading, and firing position transitions provide leadership with a challenging task for training soldiers.
“In battle, the only bullets that count are those that hit.” -President Theodore Roosevelt
Company-Level Rifle Marksmanship Programs
A good unit marksmanship program starts with identifying, training, and certifying trainers. The Marksmanship Master Trainer Course (MMTC) at Fort Benning provides units the expertise require to understand how to train marksmanship. MMTC graduates can assist their commanders in planning and implementing an effective marksmanship training strategy. Companies from the 198th Infantry Brigade have one MMTC-qualified Drill Sergeant per platoon. As a result, Companies routinely maintain marksmanship averages from 34-36 each 235-recruit training cycle.
To establish an effective company-level marksmanship program, send as many Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) as possible to the MMTC. We recommend sending at least one NCO per platoon. However, not every unit has the MMTC right down the road from their footprint. Nonetheless, find every available opportunity to send their NCOs to schools, mobile training teams, cross-unit training with 75th Ranger Regiment or Special Forces Group, and other opportunities.
Check Out 1-19th IN Lessons Learned From the New Qualification HERE.
We recommend reserving an MMTC slot for each NCO attending the Advanced or Senior Leaders Courses (ALC or SLC). Pending their graduation, they can go right into the MMTC. If the training calendar or funding prevent this, units can take other steps. Divisions can establish their own satellite Master Marksmanship Course. The 25th Infantry Division’s Lightning Marksmanship Instructor Course and the 10th Mountain Division’s Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Course are just two great examples. These divisions provide a great resource for on-station units, teaching the same principles as the MMTC.
Rifle Marksmanship Progression – A Way
Start with the Basics
At Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT), rifle marksmanship includes 19 different training periods. These periods span roughly three weeks. Within 72 hours of arrival, we issue trainees their weapons and conduct weapons immersion training. Our trainers teach the four tenets of weapons safety as well as the characteristics and capabilities of the M4A1 carbine.
Over the next two weeks—prior to even getting on a live fire range—firers conduct concurrent training on rifle marksmanship. We focus on the fundamentals to ensure firers will succeed when it comes time to fire live rounds. Trainees then progress to the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) for basic grouping techniques and practice. Here we focus on the same skills, but in a virtual environment to provides more realistic conditions. The EST helps firers bridge the gap between dry fire and live fire training.
Live Fire Training
Live marksmanship training begins with executing a group/zero with back-up iron sights. Firers then progress through the EST (single/multiple targets) to a Location of Misses and Hits (LOMAH) range. LOMAH ranges help firers confirm their zeroes at 175m and 300m. They also provide the marksmanship trainer with a simultaneously view of 16 different shooters’ target groups via a handheld tablet. Each firing position has similar tablets, allowing coaches to give immediate feedback.
This provides each shooter with two possible coaches. First, a battle buddy monitors the shooter and his individual results. Second, the cadre with the 16-view tablet can identify lanes with shooters who are struggling and redirect a leader to provide some additional and personal coaching. Moreover, LOMAH ranges provide the opportunity for firers to utilize their holds at proper distances. Practicing holds–laying behind their weapon and practicing different points of aim based on distance–helps firers understand the difference between where they are aiming and where the round will actually hit the target based on flight path and trajectory.
From Iron to Optics
After executing LOMAH training, and additional training in the EST, firers then execute single/multiple target training (on a 300m range). They then progress to conducting a qualification range, still with their iron sights.
Then we executed the entire marksmanship process and, this time behind options: the M68 Close Combat Optic (CCO).
After executing single/multiple target training, there’s room in the training glide path to train with barriers, on moving targets, and execute a number of practice qualifications. During their fourth week on the range, firers execute their record qualification with the CCO. This is the culmination of the rifle marksmanship training period. Throughout the Infantry OSUT rifle marksmanship period, trainees will expend approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Concurrent Training
Just like any operation, concurrent training must be planned deliberately to achieve a specific desired end-state. When planning for rifle marksmanship training, this end-state is all Trainees (or soldiers in a given Company) qualifying Expert on their assigned weapon.
All concurrent training must start with and build upon the functional elements of the shot process (stability, aim, control, and movement). The most basic dry-fire drills are listed and explained in Appendix D of TC 3-22.9: Rifle and Carbine, MAY 2016. Despite the necessity to focus on magazine changes and transitions, it’s imperative that units continue to begin their progression (and enforce) with the basics of stability: body position, natural point of aim, correctly holding the rifle, and posture.
After mastering the shot process, units must deliberately plan concurrent training to incorporate transitioning positions, fighting up on the barrier, and executing magazine changes. (Note: In the new course of fire, magazine retention is not required).
Barriers
Shadow boxes and transition barrels continuously prove to be the most effective training aids. Shadow boxes are extremely portable, and can be set up virtually anywhere—even and especially in the bays. Transition barrels are just standard metal drums with four ALT-C targets fixed around the outside. These, too, are relatively portable.
Using the transition barrels allows soldiers to practice their shot process, holds, and eventually become proficient with the new course of fire. The biggest challenge that most units at OSUT face is reinforcing the necessity of utilizing proper holds at a given distance. LOMAH ranges help build repetition, however holds can be easily emphasized using transition barrels.
Magazine Changes
Magazine changes can’t be ignored, especially with the new course of fire. Executing training of magazine changes is easy to facilitate, and can be done anywhere, at any time. It’s important, however, to incorporate malfunctions into any and all concurrent training. Despite a training glide path and deliberate concurrent training, friction will arise. This is where leaders need to inject themselves. Plan for a number of trainers to focus on “hardcore” shooters that simply do not understand the basics, and allot them the proper resources and time to work with these Soldiers.
To be successful (and lethal) as a unit, it’s absolutely necessary that leaders implement concurrent training and dry-fire drills daily. When you practice, you build habits that you can easily replicate on the range.
Thinking through the Training Cycle
Training Circular 3-20.0 (Integrated Weapons Training Strategy, JUN 2019) outlines six Tables pertaining to an individual weapon training strategy. The circular divides these Tables into “Prerequisites to Live Fire” (Tables I, II, and III), and “Live-Fire events” (Tables IV, V, and VI):
- I: Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction and Evaluation (PMI&E)
- II: Preliminary Live Fire Simulations (PLFS)
- III: Drills
- IV: Basic
- V: Practice
- VI: Qualification
Per the Training Circular, units can execute the above tables in 4.5 days. This includes conducting Table III (drills) throughout the other live fire training events as concurrent training. Units can and should plan for much more time dedicated to weapons strategy. Ideally, units have at least two weeks to execute individual weapons training. This will allow ample time to deliberately instruct, practice, train, and execute so as to ensure all Soldiers can become as lethal as possible.
Don’t Abandon the Basics
Leaders can ignore Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction and Evaluation (PMI&E), even in tactical units. At Infantry OSUT, as previously described, units often take a week to conduct proper PMI&E. Even though these are civilians, it is important to not just assume that every Soldier has a proper understanding of weapons safety, weapon manipulation, and the functional elements of the shot process (this last one is especially uncommon knowledge across any unit—just ask).
In taking the time to teach a number of classes for Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction and Evaluation, leaders also create opportunities for concurrent training based off the classes given. This way, units can build more range time for themselves by getting ahead of Table III: Drills.
Maximize Virtual Options
The Army is constantly moving more towards the execution of virtual training, due to availability, cost, and effectiveness. Preliminary Live Fire Simulations are an extremely effective tool, because it allows trainers to identify issues early and in a low-threat environment; better to fix these issues in the EST rather than out at the range, wasting precious time and ammunition. Take the time to conduct effective virtual training. It will facilitate a more efficient training event on the rang. Leaders should reinforce these virtual training events with concurrent training drills. At Infantry OSUT, units typically spend four to five days in the EST.
On the line, units might execute a day of EST, then move out to the range. The recommendation is to not just “check the block” on virtual training, but plan for it to occur throughout the weapons training glide path: use the EST up front, go to the range, use the EST to fix issues, reinforce good habits, and then go back out to the range. Implementing virtual training throughout—not just up front—will actually save time, resources, and effort for every unit.
When it comes to Tables IV-V, repetition is key, especially with the new course of fire. At this point, units ideally have no issues with soldiers understanding and executing the functional elements of the shot process. This will allow trainers to focus on transitions and magazine changes for concurrent training, creating familiarity with the scenario. The more exposure a soldier gets with the course of fire, the more proficient and lethal they will become.
2nd Lt. David Richards is currently serving as a Platoon Leader in Fox Company, 2-54 IN, 198th Infantry Brigade.
Capt. Joseph Nyhan is currently serving as the Company Commander of Fox Company, 2-54 IN, 198th Infantry Brigade.
Lt. Col. Chris Ricci is currently serving as the Battalion Commander of 2-54 IN, 198th Infantry Brigade.
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What’s the Army’s strategy to implement this for the 55% of the force in the reserve components? The minimum time to implement qualification is 4.5 days, and the author’s recommendation is At least two weeks. Reserve component units are only allotted 39 training days per year; the new IWQ will consume between 12% and 36% of that time. This virtually guarantees that collective training will cease in the Guard and Reserve.
This is a fantastic question and I hope to see more feedback from the Reserve and National Guard components. If you know any who are going through this change, please encourage them to write and submit. The author here could only speak to what they know, and they are Active Duty.