TASK
CONDUCT PRELIMINARY MARKSMANSHIP
TRAINING
PMT
CONDITIONS
Given soldiers requiring marksmanship training, a
suitable training area, an M16A2 rifle, target boxes
with paddles, dime, magazines and assistant
instructors, training soldiers on marksmanship
training.
STANDARDS
Display proficiency in the four key fundamental of
Steady Position, Aim, Breathing and Trigger
Squeeze and be capable of integrating all
marksmanship skills into the integrated act of
firing the M16A2 rifle to qualify with an
individually assigned weapon
THE BASICS
•FUNCTION CHECK
• LOAD / UNLOAD M16A2 RIFLE
•OPERATE THE M16A2 RIFLE
•CLEAR STOPPAGES
SLAP
PULL
OBSERVE
RELEASE
TAP
SHOOT
•DOUBLE FEED
•MISS FIRE (SQUIB LOAD)
Eye Dominance: Determine which eye is dominant
to determine which firing method will be utilized—
right or left shoulder.
Shooting Position:
Non-Firing Hand-The handguard should be
gripped lightly with slight rearward pressure.
Rifle Butt- Is placed in the pocket of the firing
shoulder to reduce recoil and to keep steady.
Firing hand-The three fingers on the hand grip
applies a rearward pressure, the forefinger tip is
placed on the trigger when ready to fire.
Firing Elbow-Maintains balance.
Non-firing elbow- Positioned firmly under the rifle
to allow for a comfortable and stable position
Support- If sandbags are used for support it should
be utilized to provide support to the rifle.
Natural Point of Aim-The body is aligned so that
the body, rifle and target are aligned with the
desired aiming point.
AIMING: Focus on the front sight post as a skill
which must be acquired with practice. Steady
hold and sight alignment are paramount skills to
aim effectively
Breath Control: During zeroing, there is a
moment of natural respiratory pause while
breathing when most of the air has been
exhaled from the lungs and before inhaling—
the shot must be fired before feeling
discomfort. The second technique is employed
during short exposure targets, and the breath
is held when the soldier is about to squeezed
the trigger.
SUPPORTED FIRING POSITION
PRONE UNSUPPORTED POSTION
The coach observes the firer to see that he/she• Uses the correct position and properly
applies steady-position elements.
•Properly loads the rifle.
•Holds breath correctly by watching the back
of the firer.
•Applies proper trigger squeeze, determines
whether the firer flinched or jerks by
watching soldiers head, shoulders, trigger
finger, and firing hand/arm.
•Is tense and nervous—may need have firer
breathe several times to relax.
SIGHTING AND ZEROING:
Zeroing is conducted at 25 meters because
facilities do not exist to zero at 250 meters.
The Elevation knob is turned one click past
8/3 to ensure the bullet strikes in the same
location at 250 meters as 25 meters—
otherwise a 42m target would be necessary to
hit at the exact same spot as 250 meters. The
maximum ordinate is reached at
approximately 175 meters and hits
approximately 7 inches below at 300 meters.
So long as a proper zero is obtained all targets
may be hit out to 300 meters with no
adjustments to the weapon.
MOPP FIRING: The weapon will need to be
canted to the right or left depending on the
mask canister to facilitate a soldier’s ability
to obtain proper sight alignment.
Increase of shot group size A shot group that is
4cm on the zero target will expand as the
bullets go down range—a 4cm shot group at
25m is 48.26cm (or 19”) at 300m.
A one inch shot group at 25m will increase to a
10” shot group at 250m.
Shot Group Marking: The soldier must
mark each shot group for a clear record
of his firing practice by connecting three
bullet holes on the target with a straight
line and placing a number by the shot
group. Mark an “X” in the center of the
three-shot shot group. When two shots
are near one end of the group and the
third is toward the other end, mark the
X nearer the two close shots.
AMMUNITION
The M16A2 utilized the 5.56mm, Ball M855 and is
the standard NATO round for this weapon system
and is easily identified by a green tip.
The Cartridge 5.56mm, Tracer, M856 is used in the
M16A2 Rifle and is easily recognizable by its red
tip.
When storing ammo in the open, make sure you
place it on dunnage (a palate) at least six inches
from the ground and protect it with a cover,
leaving enough space for air to circulate. Since the
5.56mm ammo is severely and aversely affected by
moisture and high temperatures, only open ammo
boxes when ready to issue and use the ammunition.
Protect the ammo from high temperatures and the
direct sun; never attempt to disassemble
ammunition or any of its components, and never
grease or lubricate ammunition.
TEST
Disassemble/Assemble the M16A2 Rifle
1. Perform Functions Check
2. Perform SPORTS
3. What do you do in the event of a double feed?
4. What do you do if the weapon fires but fails to
recoil?
5. What do you do if the previous round fails to
extract?
6. Demonstrate the prone unsupported position;
a. Non-firing hand grip
b. Rifle butt position
c. Firing hand placement
d. Firing elbow placement
e. Correct cheek to stock weld
f. Correct Support
g. Natural point of aim
8. Display proper sight picture (demonstrate).
9. Display proper trigger squeeze (demonstrate).
10. While coaching name four things you are
looking for while watching the firer.
11. How large is a good shot group?
12. How would a shot group appear if the firer had
a breathing problem on one of his or her shots?
13. How would it appear if a firer had improper
trigger squeeze while reading the 25 meter zero
card?
14. How would a shot group appear if a firer needs
to work on sight picture and all shooting
fundamentals?
15. What is the maximum ordinate and where does
it occur down range?