Military

Military-focused articles on training, tactics, equipment, weapons, sustainment, leadership, lessons learned, and professional experience.

Will Resting My Magazine on the Ground Induce a Malfunction?

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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 discussion is TC 3-22.9, Change 2, dated August 2017. Resting the magazine on the ground is in accordance with the functional element of Stability. Doing this gets … Read more

Capability Gap: How do we Zero Large Groups of Soldiers at True Distance?

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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. Appendix E, TC 3-22.9 states that at a minimum, confirmation should be done at 300 meters. The reason for zeroing at true distance is it will reduce … Read more

What use is a Rifle Sling?

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  For Tactics, Techniques and Procedures Thursday, we’re going to discuss something that is under-utilized for providing support: your rifle sling. Most people think that a sling is used when you’re in line for chow in the field. They don’t normally sling their weapon, as they feel that when wearing body armor it makes it … Read more

How do I interpret a Zero Target?

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For Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures Thursday, we are talking about techniques for interpreting the New Army Approved zero target and coaching our Paratroopers. The reference for this discussion is Appendix E, TC 3-22.9, change 2, dated August 2017. The new zero target has been discussed in previous posts. However, to use it effectively, you have … Read more

Zeroing Discussion Part Two: Why we Boresight at 10 and Zero at 25

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  For Walkthrough Wednesday, we are continuing our discussion on how to zero the M4A1 Carbine and coach our Paratroopers through the zero process. Specifically, we will be addressing how to boresight. The reference for this discussion is appendix E, TC 3-22.9, Change 2, dated August 2017. As a refresher, the borelight is an eye-safe … Read more

How do we address Capability Gaps?

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  For Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures Thursday, we are talking about how we as NCO’s and Soldiers can influence how we address the capability gaps in our equipment and training. At the 2017 Sportsman’s Hunter’s Outdoorsman’s Trade show, I had a conversation with both the lethality branch of the Maneuver Center of Excellence and a … Read more

The Zeroing Process for the M4A1

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For Walkthrough Wednesday, we are going to begin a discussion on how to zero the M4A1 Carbine and coach our Paratroopers through the zero process. The reference for this discussion is appendix E, TC 3-22.9, Change 2, dated August 2017. Zeroing a weapon is not a training exercise, nor is it combat skills event. Zeroing … Read more

Functional Element of Control and the M9: Arc of Movement and Trigger Control

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For Manual Monday, we are starting our discussion on the functional element of control for the pistol. Specifically, we will be addressing arc-of-movement, and trigger control with the pistol. Discussing all elements of the shot process for the pistol is a vital discussion, as the M17 will be fielded to elements of the 82nd within … Read more