Primary & Secondary Article Library
Explore the Primary & Secondary Article Library: practical writing on firearms, defensive training, law enforcement, equipment, tactics, mindset, and the people who contribute to the professional training community. Articles are organized to help readers find durable information, professional perspectives, and useful resources by subject.
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Fossil Friday: One Record Fire Attempt to Rule Them All
For Fossil Friday, we are going to be discussing an idea whose obsolescence is due: Multiple attempts to qualify with a weapons system. The reference for this…
Read articleMovement with a Pistol
For Manual Monday, we are beginning our discussion on movement and the pistol. Specifically, we will address what the various movement techniques are for the pistol. Learning…
Read articleHigh Prone Supported Position
For Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Thursday, we’re going to be continuing our discussion about how to set up your standard-issue sling to provide more support. Many Paratroopers do…
Read article‘Everybody wants to shoot the machine gun… until it’s timepick up brass and links.’
‘Everybody wants to shoot the machine gun… until it’s time to do range detail things and pick up brass and links.’ -Every Range Safety Officer at the end…
Read articlePistol Malfunctions as a Part of the Functional Element of Control
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on control and the pistol. Specifically, we will address malfunctions and how to handle them for the pistol. Learning all elements of the…
Read articleFossil Friday: Knowledge is power; would you like to know more?
For Fossil Friday, we are going to be dispelling a very harmful myth: that of over-reliance on technology when it comes to learning. This applies to anything,…
Read articleFossil/Force Mod Friday: It’s Time to let go of Your Magazine
For Fossil/Force Mod Friday, we have a concept that is outdated and needs to go: hanging onto magazines long past their expiration dates. Along with that, we have…
Read articleHow to Check Feed Lip Width on Standard-Issue Magazines
As we mentioned in last week’s Force Mod/Fossil Friday post, there is a new Magazine Feed Lip Wear tool available for the standard-issue magazines for the M4A1. However,…
Read article‘Calling the Shot’ with the Pistol as a Part of the Functional Element of Control
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on control and the pistol. Specifically, we will be addressing How to call the shot for the pistol. Learning…
Read articleHow to Assume the Low-Prone Unsupported Position
For Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Thursday, we’re going to be continuing our discussion about how to set up your standard-issue sling to provide more support. Many Paratroopers do…
Read articleHow Zeroing Errors Stack at Distance
Small aiming, grouping, measurement, adjustment, and equipment errors can combine into major misses at distance. A disciplined zero removes avoidable uncertainty.
Read articleFollow-Through as a Part of the Functional Element of Control
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on control and the pistol. Specifically, we will begin to address what follow through means for the pistol. Learning all…
Read articleWhy 25 meter “qualifications” need to go the way of the Dodo…
For Fossil Friday, we are going to be discussing an idea that needs to go away: the reliance on the Alternate Course, C (ALT-C) table of fire for…
Read articleHow to Configure a Standard-Issue Sling for Optimal use With the M4A1
For Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Thursday, we’re going to be talking about how to set up your standard-issue sling to provide more support. Many Paratroopers do not know…
Read articleWhat is our Standard for Zeroing?
For Training Tuesday, we are discussing the topic ‘how many rounds should I use to zero?’ Reference for this discussion is Appendix, E, TC 3-22.9, change 2, dated…
Read articleWhat does ‘Calling the Shot’ with a Pistol Mean?
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on control and the pistol. Specifically, we will be addressing what calling the shot means for the pistol. Learning all…
Read articleWill Resting My Magazine on the Ground Induce a Malfunction?
For Fossil Friday, we are going to be dispelling a myth about the prone unsupported: that resting your magazine on the ground induces malfunctions. The reference for this…
Read articleCapability Gap: How do we Zero Large Groups of Soldiers at True Distance?
For Force Mod Friday, we are going to be discussing a current capability gap: zeroing at true distance as required by TC 3-22.9, change 2, dated August 2017.…
Read articleHow to Choose and Use a Rifle Sling
A practical guide to rifle sling roles, single-, two-, and three-point designs, adjustment, weapon retention, shoulder transitions, positional support, and equipment integration.
Read articleWhy Structured Dry Practice Works—and Where It Does Not
Why dry practice can improve weapon handling and visual-motor consistency, what it cannot reproduce, and how to connect safe repetitions with live-fire validation.
Read articleHow to Diagnose Rifle Groups Without Guessing
A coaching framework for interpreting rifle groups by combining target evidence with direct observation, shooter feedback, equipment checks, and controlled retesting.
Read articleM4A1 Boresighting and Zeroing: Understanding the Geometry
Understand sight height, line of sight, bore axis, trajectory, and why prescribed short-distance offsets can put an M4A1 on target before live-fire confirmation.
Read articlePistol Workspace Management for Efficient Manipulation
How a consistent pistol workspace supports visual control, reloads, stoppage reduction, equipment inspection, and efficient return to an accountable firing position.
Read articleHow Military Units Can Identify and Address Capability Gaps
A practical process for turning a field problem into useful evidence, a clearly defined requirement, and a solution that leaders and acquisition organizations can evaluate.
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