Training

Understanding Surface Danger Zones We are starting a discussion on Surface Danger Zones. Specifically we will discuss what the different types are, and the different parts that make up an SDZ. The reference for this is DA PAM 385-63 dated April 2014. What Is a Surface Danger Zone? A Surface Danger Zone, or SDZ as … Read more

Time to start a new discussion about Machine Guns. Specifically, we will start to address the specific ballistic considerations that come into play when employing machine guns. We will be having a discussion about the Maximum Ordinate of the round, what the beaten zone is, what the cone of fire is, and danger space. All … Read more

How movement, weapon cant, protective equipment, visibility, firing position, and overlapping variables affect aiming and accountable rifle engagement.

Due to the importance of dry fire, we are continuing our discussion on dry-firing. We have established what drills we need to do at a minimum according to doctrine, where to find them in TC 3-22.9, and what they are. Now we will be discussing how to get dry-fire on the training calendar. The analogy used … Read more

We will now be continuing our discussion on the Range Facility Management Support System, or RFMSS. For those not familiar with the two-week calendar format it is set up in, here is the previous article to learn more about it. For Now, I am going to assume you have read that post, and are interested … Read more

This one was primarily written by Mike Lewis who was the 82nd Airborne Small Arms Master Gunner before me. He worked with Ash Hess , John Brady , and Paul Meacham on developing the new zero target that will be discussed today…. Purpose and Development of the 25m Zero Target Hello, shooters. I’m SFC (Retired) Mike Lewis … Read more

We are continuing our discussion on the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS), specifically, we will be addressing how to use it for planning and resourcing our training. Considerable thought and planning need to go into how we schedule our small arms ranges. An Experienced NCO is usually the one to do this in the ABCT … Read more

We will be continuing our prior discussion Aiming as a part of the shot process. Specifically, we will be focusing on how Target Conditions, moving targets, the wind, and limited visibility affects the Paratrooper’s hold. All of these will be addressed individually. The conditions that the threat presents to the Paratrooper that affect their ability … Read more

We will discuss dry-fire. Where do we start at to build a solid foundation for our shot process? What References do we use? TC 3-22.9 dated May of 2016 has an excellent section discussing dry-fire drills in Appendix D. These Drills are built around the following Principles: Mindset, Efficiency, Individual Tactics, and Flexibility. We will … Read more

To continue the previous article about aiming as a part of the shot process. Specifically, we will be focusing on what complex engagements are, what three conditions affect complex engagements (shooter, target, environment), what a hold is, why a Paratrooper would use a hold, and what the differences are between an immediate and deliberate hold. … Read more