Of every One-Hundred men in battle, ten
shouldn’t even be there.
Eighty are nothing but targets.
Nine are real fighters…We are lucky to
have them…They make the battle.
Ah, but the One…One of them is a
Warrior…and he will bring the others
back.
- Hericletus
500 B.C.
You WILL fight the way you train! Train with intensity. Fight to WIN!
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Instructor Professional Vita ………………………………….……………………………. 5
Course Itinerary …………………………………….……...…………………..…………..… 11
Syllabus ………………………………………………………………...…………..……….……. 13
Introduction …………………………………………………..………………………......……. 19
Instructor Introduction and Course Description …………………..….….…… 21
Range Safety Rules and Emergency Medical Action Plan ……………...… 21
Issue ZM4 Rifles ……………………………………………………………….…...…………. 22
Rapid Deployment Methodology and Concepts …………………………...….. 22
Combat Mindset and Principles of Personal Defense ………………………… 23
Sight Gears ………………………………………………………...…….……...…………….. 28
Fundamentals of Shooting the Rifle ………………………………….…...……….. 29
Presentation Positions and Ready Condition Modes ………………………... 34
Tactical Sling Use ………………………………………………...…..………….…………… 38
Loading, Unloading and Reloading the AR-15 / M-4 Rifle ……………….. 38
Ammunition Management ……………………………………………..……...…………. 42
Threat Assessment and Area Scanning ……………………….………...…..…… 45
Immediate Action Drills ……………………………………...…………...………………. 46
Transition to Secondary Weapon System …………………………..……...…… 48
Failure Drills …………………………………………………………..………...……...……... 48
Threat Engagement during Movement …………………………………..………… 49
Class Conclusion ……………………………………………………...…………...…………. 49
Appendix 1: Advanced Tactical Rifle Shooting Drills ………………………… 53
Appendix 2: Illinois State Law and Use of Force …………………….……….. 55
Appendix 3: Combat Rifle Qualification Course ……………………………….. 57
References …………………………………………………………………………………………. 59
3
4
PROFESSIONAL VITA
John Krupa III
President
Master Firearms Instructor
John is a police officer with the Orland Hills Police Department and has
over 20 years of experience in law enforcement. He has previously
served as a beat officer, rapid response officer, field training officer
and firearms instructor with the Chicago Police Department.
He is a recipient of the Award of Valor, Silver Star for Bravery,
Distinguished Service Award and numerous department
commendations and awards for his actions in the line of duty, including
the 1998 and 2005 Police Officer of the Year Award.
John is a certified firearms instructor from the Chicago Police
Department and certified Master Firearms Instructor with the
University of Illinois – Police Training Institute. He has over 4000
hours of certified training as a firearms instructor, operator and
armorer.
John is a graduate firearms instructor from the Secret Service
Academy, FBI, DEA and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and
has the distinguished recognition of being the only law enforcement
trainer in the country to attend all four of these prestigiously
recognized instructor training programs.
John is founder and president of Spartan Tactical Training Group and
also serves as Director of Training Operations for the DS Arms Law
Enforcement Training Division.
He has served as a firearms training consultant with the International
Association of Chiefs of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms & Explosives - firearms interdiction training program, and has
also served as a contract firearms instructor for the Department of
Homeland Security - Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) program.
John has authored over a dozen articles on firearms training, officer
safety, firearms and other various law enforcement products, and has
appeared in various publications, newsletters and websites on these
topics.
5
John has consulted and / or presented training programs with the following
national and international law enforcement training associations and
organizations:
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International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI)
International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA)
American Society for Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET)
Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE)
Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC)
Midwest Tactical Officer’s Association (MTOA)
Indiana SWAT Officer’s Association (ISOA)
Georgia Tactical Officer’s Association (GTOA)
Texas Tactical Police Officer’s Association (TTPOA)
Action Target – Advanced Law Enforcement Training Camp (LETC)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
Firearms Interdiction Training Program
 Department of Homeland Security – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
& Explosives – Firearms Interdiction Training Program
 Dept. of Homeland Security – Federal Flight Deck Officers Program
 North American Weapons & Tactics Training Center – The Site
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
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International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
(IALEFI)
International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association
(ILEETA)
International Association for Counter-Terrorism & Security
Professionals (IACSP)
North Suburban Police Pistol League (NSPPL) – Honorary Life Member
American Society for Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET)
National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
Illinois Tactical Officers Association (ITOA)
Police Training Institute Alumni (PTI) – Life Member
Police Marksman Association (PMA)
National Rifle Association (NRA) – Life Member
6
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATIONS
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Federal Bureau of Investigations
Firearms Instructor School – Class # 06-01
Carbine Instructor School – Class # 07-02
Firearms Instructor Development Course
Secret Service Academy
Firearms Instructor Training Course # 192
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Firearms Instructor Training Program # 005
Distinguished Weapons Expert
Drug Enforcement Administration
Tactical Raids Instructor School
Firearms Instructor School
University of Illinois – Police Training Institute
Master Firearms Instructor Course # 1734 (re-certified x 3)
Police Firearms Instructor Course # 1559
Police Carbine / Rifle Instructor Course # 1959
Police Shotgun Instructor Course # 2343
State of Illinois – ILETSB Certified
Police Firearms Instructor –
Revolver, Pistol, Carbine, Rifle, Shotgun, Subgun
Chicago Police Academy
Firearms Instructor Course
Firearms Instructor Development Course
Springfield Police Academy – Police Firearms Instructor Course
North East Multi-Regional Training Group
Rapid Deployment Instructor Course
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
Certified Firearms Instructor
National Rifle Association – Police Firearms Instructor Course
The Site – Law Enforcement Carbine / Rifle Instructor Course
The Site – Law Enforcement Shotgun Instructor Course
Gunsite – Law Enforcement Tactical Firearms Instructor Course
Tactical Pistol, Tactical Shotgun and Tactical Carbine
Glock – Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Course
Heckler & Koch – MP-5 Operator and Instructor Course
Singleton International
M-16 / M-4, MP5 and UMP Instructor Course
Sigarms Academy – Range Master Course # 02RM02
Taser International – M26 / X26 Air Taser Instructor Course
Simunition / SNC Inc. – M26 and X26 Instructor Course
7
SPECIALIZED TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS
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Federal Bureau of Investigations
Officer Survival School – Class # 05-01
Basic SWAT School
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Survival Shooting Training Program # 002
United States Army – Military Police School
Counter-Drug Special Reaction Team Course
State of Illinois – ILETSB Certified
Basic Emergency Services Team Certification
Law Enforcement Officer Certification
Police Strategy and Tactics Course
Police Tactical Firearms Course
Narcotics Specialist Course
Basic SWAT Certification
University of Illinois – Police Training Institute
Police Strategy and Tactics Course # 1566
Police Tactical Firearms Course # 1568
Northern Illinois Police Alarm System - Basic SWAT Course
Spartan Tactical Training Group
Emergency Medical Response for Firearms Instructors
Emergency Self-aid for Trauma Injuries
Mid-South – Institute of Self Defense Shooting
Close Quarter Battle Training Course
Intermediate Practical Pistol Course
Advanced Practical Pistol Course
Blackwater Training Center – Tactical Pistol II Course
Chapman Academy
Basic Practical Pistol Course
Law Enforcement Tactical Scenarios
Lethal Force Institute – L.F.I. 1 and L.F.I. 2
Ken Hackathorn – Mastering the Handgun Course
John Farnam – Advanced Defensive Handgun Course
Rob Leatham - Advanced Handgun Skills Development Class
8
ARMORER CERTIFICATIONS
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Beretta – All 92, 96 and Cougar series pistol groups
Colt – All “O” frame pistol groups and all AR-15 / M-16 groups
DS Arms – All FAL SA58 rifle groups
Glock – Law Enforcement pistol line (re-certified x 2)
Heckler & Koch – All MP5 groups and all USP groups
Robinson Armament – XCR Rifle groups
Sigarms – Law Enforcement pistol line (re-certified x 3)
Smith & Wesson – All 3rd generation pistols, Sigma series pistols
and M&P pistols
Springfield Armory – All XD series pistol groups
Competitive Shooting Awards and Titles
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International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association
- 2nd Annual ILEETA Cup Match – Overall Match Winner - 2008
International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors
- 10th Annual Memorial Match - Overall Match Winner – 2007
- 13th Annual Memorial Match – Overall Match Winner - 2010
MTG – Annual IDPA Invitational Match
- Overall Match Winner - 2004, 2005
- 2nd Place Overall – 2000, 2003
Police Training Institute – Annual Combat Challenge Match
- Overall Match Winner – “Top Gun” – 2004, 2005, 2006
- 2nd Place Overall – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007
North Suburban Police Pistol League
- Combat Pistol – Duty Weapon Class
- Overall League Champion - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
- 2nd Place Overall – 2003
North Suburban Police Pistol League – Off-Duty Weapon Class
Overall League Champion - 2005, 2006, 2007
- 2nd Place Overall – 2003, 2004
Secret Service Academy - Firearms Instructor Course # 192
- Top Gun Award Recipient
FBI - Firearms Instructor School # 06-01 - Top Shooter Award
DEA - Firearms Instructor School - Overall Top Shooter
FLETC - Firearms Instructor School # 005
- Keith Connelly Top Gun Award Recipient
FBI - Basic SWAT School - Overall Top Shooter Award
State of Illinois - Governors Twenty Award - 1999 and 2007
9
John can be reached by e-mail at: jkrupa@teamspartan.com
Mail all correspondence to:
STTG
P.O. Box 388969
Chicago, Illinois 60638
Updated – 01 June 2011
10
RAPID DEPLOYMENT PATROL RIFLE COURSE ITINERARY
DAY ONE – 0830 to 1700 (8 hours)
0830 – 0840 – Instructor Introduction and Course Description (Classroom)
0840 – 0850 – Administrative Waivers and Student Registration (Classroom)
0850 – 0900 – Firearms Safety Briefing and Emergency Medical Action Plan
0900 – 0915 – Rapid Deployment Methodology and Concepts (Classroom)
0915 – 0930 – Combat Mindset and Principals of Personal Defense (Classroom)
0930 – 0945 – Fundamentals of Shooting the Patrol Rifle (Classroom)
0945 – 1000 – Presentation Positions and Ready Condition Modes (Classroom)
1000 – 1015 – Tactical Sling Use (Classroom)
1015 – 1030 – Sight Gears (Classroom)
1030 – 1100 – One-shot Drills (Range)
1100 – 1115 – Moving Off the Line of Force, Threat Assessment and Area Scanning
1115 – 1200 – Controlled Pairs with Movement, Assessment and Scanning (Range)
1200 – 1230 – Lunch
1230 – 1315 – Accelerated Pairs, Hammer Drills and Head Shots (Range)
1315 – 1400 – Transition to Secondary Weapon (Range)
1400 – 1500 – Triple Threat – Multi-threat Engagement Drills (Range)
1500 – 1530 – Rapid Deployment – Team Threat Engagement Drill (Range)
1530 – 1600 – Combat Qualification Course (Range)
1600 – 1645 – Man vs. Man Shoot-off’s (Range)
1645 – 1700 – Class Review and Critique (Classroom)
1700 – Range Clean-up (Range)
11
12
SYLLABUS
Course Title: Rapid Deployment Patrol Rifle Course
Course Number: RDPR.0700.4
Length of Presentation: 8 hours
Methods of Presentation:
1) Lecture
2) Demonstration
3) Dry Practice
4) Live Fire
Classroom support equipment:
1. Course manuals / student handout materials.
2. Tables and chairs.
3. Chalkboard or dry erase board.
Range Support Equipment:
1. Rifle rated live-fire range – Minimum 50 yards long by 15 yards wide.
2. 10 – Orange safety cones. (Minimum)
3. 20 – Portable target stands / carriers. (Minimum)
4. Target repair equipment.
a) Paper threat targets and replacement centers.
b) Cardboard backers.
c) Target holder clips.
d) Target pastors or masking tape.
e) Spray glue.
Instructor Requirements: Course lesson plan, eye protection, ear
protection, baseball type cap, duty belt with holster and magazine carriers,
duty pistol with at least 2 magazines, AR-15 or M-4 type patrol rifle, tactical
sling system, cleaning kit, elbow pads, knee pads, 100 rounds of rifle
ammunition and 50 rounds of handgun ammunition (minimum).
Student Requirements: Note pad and pen, eye protection, ear protection,
baseball type cap, duty belt with holster and magazine carriers, duty pistol
with at least 2 magazines, patrol rifle with at least 2 magazines and tactical
sling system.
Recommend: Rain gear, sunscreen, insect repellent, rifle magazine
carriers and water.
13
Ammunition requirements: 500 round of rifle ammunition and 50
rounds handgun ammunition (minimum).
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The techniques and methodology presented in this course will focus on
developing skills in the use, operation and application of the patrol rifle
during rapid deployment and active shooter incidents. These skills will be
developed through hands on familiarization, dry practice and performance of
live fire drills. The skills gained in this course will provide the student with
the knowledge necessary to safely and efficiently operate the patrol rifle
during rapid deployment situations.
TERMINAL PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE:
Upon completion of this course, the student will possess the necessary
information and skills required to safely use, operate and deploy the patrol
rifle during rapid deployment and active shooter incidents.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
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Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
techniques.
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Demonstrate
firearms safety and safe gun-handling skills.
safe loading and unloading techniques.
ammunition management and weapon status awareness.
proper use of the tactical sling system.
loading and unloading of the patrol rifle.
the fundamentals of shooting the patrol rifle.
the natural action stance.
use of Sight Gears.
presentation from the combat ready position.
presentation from the low ready / hunt position.
presentation from the indoor ready position.
proper follow thru recoil technique.
second sight picture, trigger reset and slack out
threat assessment and area scanning.
moving off the line of force.
threat engagement methodology.
transition to secondary weapon system.
application of the one-shot drill.
application of a controlled pair.
application of an accelerated pair. (Hammer drill)
failure drill – hammer to the body with head shot.
engaging multiple threats while advancing.
engaging multiple threats while withdrawing.
engaging multiple threats during lateral movement.
14
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Demonstrate engagement of multiple threats.
Demonstrate engaging threats during continuous movement.
(Box drill)
Demonstrate all combined skills during Man vs. Man shoot-off’s.
Demonstrate all combined skills during the rapid deployment
team threat engagement drill.
Pass combat rifle qualification course.
15
16
The purpose of fighting is to win.
There is no possible victory in
defense.
The sword is more important than the
shield and skill is more important
than either one.
The final weapon is the brain…all else
is supplemental.
You WILL fight the way you train! Train with intensity. Fight to WIN!
17
18
INTRODUCTION
Rapid Deployment Methodology
As workplace violence and active shooter incidents in schools become more
frequent, law enforcement is faced with the task of developing rapid
deployment techniques to deal with these situations.
The disturbing results we have witnessed from incidents at Columbine High
School, Virginia Tech and the Militant Muslim Extremist attack on the Beslan
middle school in Russia have brought a sobering reality to law enforcement
of what lies ahead for us in the future.
The Department of Homeland Security has realized the need for training and
preparation in anticipation of domestic attacks by active shooters and
terrorists in the future, and has focused millions of dollars into arming and
training state and local law enforcement agencies and officers.
The training programs that have been established focus on direct to threat
concepts that coordinate first responders to identify active shooter
situations, fix and locate the active shooter, move to contact with the active
shooter and engage the active shooter until he is contained or neutralized.
Using decisive aggressive action, first responders are trained and
conditioned to take offensive action against active shooters and potential
terrorists to stop their deadly actions.
For the first time in the history of American law enforcement, first
responders are conditioned to bypass injured citizens and proceed directly to
engagement with the active shooter.
First responders are also being trained and conditioned for contact with
active shooters and terrorists that have prepared for law enforcement
response to their deadly actions.
Most recently, we have seen confiscated Al Qaeda training camp videotapes
that show terrorist operatives conducting raids and terrorist attacks with
ambushes and contingency plans established to engage responding law
enforcement personnel.
Rapid deployment patrol rifle focuses on use of the patrol rifle as an
offensive weapon during a rapid deployment incident. Officers deploying
patrol rifles during these types of incidents will have the means and
capabilities at their disposal to quickly and efficiently end active shooter and
terrorist incidents and stop violent offender’s deadly actions.
19
In a rapid deployment environment, where an assailant or terrorist is
actively shooting people, every second counts when officers respond to save
lives. Law enforcement officers will not have the luxury of time or
negotiations during an event of this nature. Aggressive, decisive action will
be necessary to locate, engage and neutralize the threat.
20
COURSE OUTLINE
Instructor Introduction and Course Description
(Classroom: Lecture)
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Instructor(s) introduction and background.
Course description.
Terminal Performance Objectives.
Student Performance Objectives.
Course outline review.
Range Safety Rules and Emergency Medical Action Plan
(Classroom: Lecture)
A) Safety rules and policy presentation.
1) Treat all firearms as though they are loaded.
2) Always keep the muzzle of your weapon pointed in
a SAFE direction.
3) Never let the muzzle of your weapon cover or point
at anything you are not willing to shoot or destroy.
4) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready
to fire.
B) Release of liability waiver presentation.
C) Location of first aid / trauma kit.
D) Injured personnel immediate action plan
1) Non-life threatening injury – designate hospital run vehicle
with directions to local hospital.
2) Life threatening / serious injury – request ambulance or
medivac helicopter service. (If available) by phone.
3) Identify any TEMS / EMT certified personnel in class.
4) Identify location of landline or cell phone that will be used
to call for medical assistance.
*A SAFE direction is considered a location where, should an unintentional or
negligent discharge occur, personal injury will not occur and property
damage will be minimal or none.
21
Issue ZM4 Rifles
(Classroom: Lecture)
A) Issue and assign weapons to students.
1) Students will be issued DS Arms ZM4 5.56 rifles.
2) Each student will maintain control of their assigned
weapon for the duration of the class.
3) Each student will record the issued weapon’s serial
number.
B) Monitor round count, type of ammunition used and any
malfunctions or operational failures throughout the course.
(Must be recorded)
Rapid Deployment Methodology and Concepts
(Classroom: Lecture)
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Responding to the active shooter.
1) Fix on the area the offender is operating in.
2) Rapidly move to the offender’s location.
a) By-pass injured people and people
needing medical attention.
3) Locate the offender as quickly as possible.
4) Engage the offender using decisive, aggressive
action to stop the offender’s deadly actions.
5) Contain or neutralize the offender.
22
Combat Mindset and Principles of Personal Defense
(Classroom: Lecture)
Aggressive posturing and decisive action
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Dominate the weapon.
Dominate the threat.
Dominate all visual areas.
Stress related factors of gunfights
1) Adrenaline dump
1. The body becomes supercharged with
adrenaline and prepares for fight or flight.
2) Tachypsychia
a) When time appears to move in slow
motion.
3) Auditory exclusion
a) The body’s momentary disconnect of hearing.
4) Vasoconstriction
a) Redirection of blood flow in the body that
momentarily deprives the eyes of oxygenated
blood resulting in the inability to focus on
objects close to the body.
5) Tunnel vision
a) Redirection of blood flow in the body that
momentarily deprives the eyes of
oxygenated blood resulting in the temporary
loss of peripheral vision.
23
Rules of a gunfight
1) Have a gun!
a) Better to have one and not need it vs. needing
one and not having it.
2) Make sure it’s loaded!
a) Don’t carry a dead man’s gun.
b) The loudest sound in the world is hearing a
click when it should go bang.
3) Bigger bullets are better.
4) More bullets are better.
5) Regardless of what gun you have, you must be
mentally prepared to use it.
6) The will to survive.
a) Maintain the will to live.
b) Fight despite your fear or injuries.
c) Keep fighting until you prevail.
d) NEVER GIVE UP!!!
e) Of the 128 police officers killed in the line of
duty in 2010, 56 of these officers were killed
during violent confrontations. (www.ODMP.org)
Combat mindset and mental conditioning
A) You WILL fight the way you train.
B) Train with intensity.
C) Fight to WIN. (The winning mindset)
D) Set your mental trigger at – Defense of Life.
2. Is there a threat to life?
3. Is that threat imminent?
4. Shoot to terminate life-threatening behavior.
E) Overcome the negotiate mentality.
1. Causes you to talk instead of taking action to
stop a threat.
2. The only reason to talk during a deadly force
confrontation
is to buy time to gain a tactical advantage.
F) Never underestimate your opponent’s skill level.
G) Never overestimate your skill level!
H) When someone is trying to kill you – GET MAD!!!
24
Color Codes of Awareness
White
 Completely relaxed.
 Daydreaming.
 Completely unaware of surroundings.
 Unsafe condition.
 Victim.
Yellow
 Ideal to operate here.
 Not caught off guard.
 Relaxed alert.
 Mentally aware of what is going on around you.
 Using tactical senses.
Orange
 Able to identify problems as they occur.
 Alerted to a specific problem.
 Can only be in orange as long as a potential
threat exists.
Red
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Execution of tactical plan. (Will react as trained)
Ready to take action if “mental trigger” is set.
Mind is made up in advance.
State of mind is at “ready to fight”.
Black
 Assault in progress!
 Body will react as conditioned through prior
training.
 Apply decisive aggressive action until the
desired effect is achieved, then back off.
25
Principals of Personal Defense
Alertness
 Color Code of Awareness.
Coolness
 Preparedness through visualization.
 “I thought this might happen!”
 Instead of; “I can’t believe this is happening!”
Speed
 A poor tactical plan applied quickly will work if
presented with speed.
Surprise
 Allows for ability to overcome great odds.
 Advantage if aggressive decisive action is
applied against a superior number.
 Can be used to overwhelm unprepared and over
confident assailants.
Decisiveness
 Be decisive in your application of use of force.
 Let your adversaries know quickly that you
mean business and that you are in control.
Aggressiveness
 Take the fight to your adversaries with a
vengeance!
Ruthlessness
 Apply force to the point of control, then back off.
26
Profile of officers killed
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Average age at time of death – 35 yoa.
Regularly goes to church.
Hard worker.
Service oriented.
Trusting.
Uses less force than other officers.
Does not wait for back up.
Overweight and out of shape.
Complacent attitude.
Killer’s profile
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None thought of punishment as a deterrent.
Most incidents were drug and / or alcohol related.
50% had predetermined to kill if confronted by a law
enforcement officer - I’m not going back to jail.
20% had prior criminal records.
33% had been shot before.
33% were armed at all times.
35% regularly practiced with their weapon.
50% had an accomplice.
Approach, response and affects
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95% of arrestees comply without incident.
a) 5% of arrestees do not comply.
b) 3% resist arrest or flee.
c) 2% assault.
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Sight Gears
(Classroom: Lecture and demonstration)
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)
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Indexing the patrol rifle.
Sight Gear #1 – Perfect sight alignment.
Sight Gear #2 – Flash sight picture.
SIGHT GEAR # 1 – Perfect Sight Alignment
Place the top of the front sight blade on the designated target area
while looking through the opening in the rear sight aperture. Correct
sight alignment and sight picture is obtained when you center the front
sight blade in the rear sight aperture opening and the sights are on the
designated target area.
The eye will naturally center the front sight post in the rear sight
opening. This sight gear is used for application of the most precise
shot possible. Accuracy takes precedence over speed and the element
of stress and time is non-existent. Perfect sight alignment can be used
at any distance when a disciplined, surgical shot is required.
NOTE: Be aware that if you have a tritium dot insert on the front sight
blade, your daylight point of aim / point of impact will be different than
your low light conditions point of aim / point of impact. Your shots will
impact high when used during low light conditions.
SIGHT GEAR # 2 – The Flash Sight Picture
The front sight “floats” in the rear sight aperture as the sights are held
on the desired target area. The shooter places the sights on the target
area and the trigger is pressed as soon as the front sight is observed
in the rear sight aperture.
No time is spent seeking perfect sight alignment. Accuracy and speed
are now balanced to get quick, accurate combat hits. The flash sight
picture can be used from 1 yard out to and beyond 50 yards with
consistent combat accuracy. Once the shooter ventures beyond
50 yards, he should strongly consider switching to GEAR # 1 and seek
accurate shot placement using perfect sight alignment.
28
Fundamentals of Shooting the Rifle
(Classroom: Lecture and demonstration)
(Range: Demonstration, dry-practice and live-fire)
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The natural action stance
Grip
Mounting
Presenting into line of sight
Sight alignment
Sight picture
Trigger control
Breathe control and respiratory pause.
Follow thru recoil, second sight picture and trigger reset.
Line of sight vs. line of bore.
THE NATURAL ACTION STANCE
Start with the feet and work your way up.
A) Stand facing the target.
B) Three positions of the feet.
1) Feet are shoulder width apart.
2) Shooting side foot is slightly back.
a) Slight blade in body position.
3) Toes are pointed towards the threat.
a) Body weight is transferred forward onto the balls of the feet.
b) Shoulders are forward of your hips.
C) Slight bend in knees.
D) Hips and shoulders square to the threat.
E) Head upright with the chin tucked down slightly and looking
straight ahead.
F) Body weight forward.
GRIP
A firm grip should be established on the pistol grip with the
shooting hand. Grip the pistol grip as high as possible, with the web
of the shooting hand touching the lower receiver. This will aid in
control of the rifle as well as allow for proper trigger finger
positioning. Trigger finger placement on the trigger should be
between the tip and first joint.
29
MOUNTING






The weapon should be placed in the “shoulder pocket” where the
inside of the shoulder and collar bone meet. The weapon is held
firmly into the “shoulder pocket” with the elbow pointing down.
Position the toe of the butt stock high in the shoulder pocket,
keeping the head upright with the correct eye relief. (The toe of
the butt stock usually rests on the collarbone.)
Shooting side elbow tucked under the firearm and not stuck out
parallel to the ground.
Place the support hand on the firearm to support the forward
weight keeping the support hand fingers wrapped around the
handguards with the support hand index finger pointing forward,
toward the target area.
Depress the muzzle down slightly into the low ready position.
Lean forward when firing to compensate for the recoil impulse.
PRESENTING THE WEAPON INTO LINE OF SIGHT
Line of sight is a straight line from the eye to the target. Line of sight
aligns the eye, rear sight, front sight and target in a straight line
parallel to the barrel of the weapon.
Once the shooter makes a decision to fire, he presents the weapon
into line of sight. The shooter changes his focus from the target to
the sights, uses his support hand index finger to index the weapon
onto the target and obtains sight alignment and sight picture.
30
SIGHT ALIGNMENT
Sight alignment is obtained by centering the tip of the front sight post
in the rear sight aperture opening. The human eye will naturally center
the front sight post in the rear sight aperture opening when the eye
focuses on the front sight while keeping the rear sight and target out
of focus. Place the top of the front sight blade on the designated area
you would like the projectile to strike.
SIGHT PICTURE
The shooter will use a “CENTER MASS HOLD” to obtain a correct
sight picture. The shooter seeks out the center of the targets mass and
then places the tip of the front sight post on that location.
31
TRIGGER CONTROL
The secret of trigger control is – manipulation of the trigger without
disturbing sight alignment! Keep the trigger finger in constant contact
with the trigger during manipulation and reset. Avoid loosing contact
with the trigger as this will lead to slapping the trigger when firing
follow-up shots.
BREATHE CONTROL
Breath control is critical in the aiming process, especially during
distance shooting. The rise and fall of our chest while breathing will
cause the rifle to move vertically, effecting aim. To complete the
process of aiming, breath control must be practiced.
RESPIRATORY PAUSE
A respiratory cycle (inhaling and exhaling) lasts about 3 to 5 seconds.
There is a natural pause of 2 to 3 seconds between relaxed respiratory
cycles. This is the natural respiratory pause.
Shooters can extend this natural pause up to 10 seconds to fire shots.
The pause should last as long as the shooter feels comfortable.
Physical condition and lung capacity will affect length of pause.
Holding your breath longer then is comfortable will result in
oxygen deprivation, causing visual focus to deteriorate. This
will affect your ability to focus on the sights.
FIRING THE WEAPON
The shooter executes the firing sequence by pressing the trigger and
momentarily holds the trigger to the rear, while maintaining proper
sight alignment. The weapon recoils and momentarily moves out of
the line of sight and into the shooters view.
FOLLOW THROUGH RECOIL
The shooter concentrates on following through recoil by pushing
the weapon back into the line of sight as smoothly and efficiently as
possible. The shooter is still looking at his sights and has not changed
focus back to the target.
32
SECOND SIGHT PICTURE
As the weapon is brought back down into line of sight, the shooter
immediately begins to look for the sights on the target and prepares to
deliver another round. Even if the shooter makes the decision to cease
fire, he will be on target, looking at his sights, ready to deliver another
round. Thus, the shooter should always have one more second sight
picture than the number of rounds fired.
TRIGGER RESET
As soon as the shooter acquires a second sight picture, the trigger is
smoothly and steadily released until it resets. The trigger finger should
never leave the trigger upon reset and whenever possible trigger slack
should be taken out in preparation for the next shot.
Upon firing, the entire shooting sequence is as follows:
FOLLOW THRU RECOIL – SECOND SIGHT PICTURE – TRIGGER RESET
SLACK OUT
The weapon should be back in line of sight, with the shooter looking at
the sights, slack out of the trigger and ready to deliver another round.
LINE OF SIGHT vs. LINE OF BORE
It is important to understand that the line of sight is approximately 2
1/2 inches higher then the line of bore for the AR-15 / M-4 rifle.
When the projectile leaves the barrel, it is 2 1/2 inches below the line
of sight.
The projectile follows its trajectory path and intersects the line of
sight as it climbs during flight. As the projectile loses velocity and
gravity pulls it towards the ground, the projectile intersects line of
sight once again as it follows it’s trajectory path into the dirt.
When shooting around or over obstacles, the shooter must take into
account that the line of sight is 2 1/2 inches higher then the muzzle
of the rifle. Just because you see your sights on target does not
necessarily mean that the muzzle of your rifle has cleared the object
you are shooting around or over!
Be sure that your line of sight and line of bore are both above and
clear of any obstacles before you take the shot!
33
Presentation of the rifle must be done in a vigorous and aggressive
manner. The shooter must minimize the amount of time he spends
manipulating the rifle and maximize the time spent finding the sights
on target and firing the rifle. This is known as:
Time On Target
Presentation Positions and Ready Condition Modes
(Classroom: Lecture and demonstration)
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)
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High ready / combat ready.
Low ready / hunt position.
Indoor ready.
Storage mode.
Transport mode.
Carry mode.
HIGH READY / COMBAT READY
Combat ready is a relaxed position that the shooter can maintain
with the rifle while moving, scanning and reloading. It is a less
intense ready position and not as physically demanding as the low
ready position.
It allows the rifle to be held in a standby position that the shooter
can easily mount the weapon from here in the event the rifle needs
to be deployed quickly. It is also an excellent position to use when
loading and unloading the rifle.




The rifle stock is held along side the shooters strong side,
slightly above the shooting side hip with the muzzle pointed
up at a 45-degree angle.
Strong hand on the comb of the stock or pistol grip (finger
off the trigger) with the support hand on the hand guards.
The muzzle of the rifle is out in front of the shooters face,
just below eye level. The shooter should be able to
peripherally see the front sight assembly.
The shooter will move the muzzle of the rifle in the direction
he is scanning.
 EYE – MUZZLE – TARGET
34
LOW READY / HUNT
When the shooter is not firing the weapon, he maintains a ready
position in anticipation to present the weapon to deliver rounds. The
position the shooter moves to is called the low ready / hunt position.
The weapon is mounted into the shooting position and simply dropped
down below eye level and out of line of sight.
The weapon is held slightly above 45 degrees and just low enough so
that the shooter has the ability to move his head left or right without
having any contact with his chin on the stock. This position also allows
the shooter to perform tactical reloading of the rifle while scanning the
area for additional threats.
The trigger finger is OFF the trigger and the safety is ON. The shooter
is standing by ready to present the weapon into a shooting position if
necessary. This position is also known as the “hunt position” as this is
how the weapon will be held when performing building searches and
actively “hunting” an adversary or deploying the weapon in a tactical
application.




The rifle is mounted on the shooting side shoulder and
dropped just below eye level with the strong hand on the
comb of the stock or pistol grip (finger off the trigger) and
the support hand on the hand guards.
The rifle is held muzzle down at a 45-degree angle, ready to
be snapped into shooting position, if necessary.
The rifle can be loaded, reloaded or unloaded from this
position.
The rifle can be moved to combat ready or slung from this
position.
35
INDOOR READY
The indoor ready position is used by the shooter when working with a
weapon in close quarter conditions. This position allows the shooter to
maintain a low profile with the weapon while working in rooms,
hallways, stairways and doorways so as not to “telegraph” the
shooters position with the muzzle of the weapon. This position also
allows the shooter to maintain an excellent weapon retention position
when anticipating close contact with an adversary.
The butt of the weapon stays in contact with the shooting side
shoulder with the weapon placed across the chest muzzle down. The
muzzle is positioned alongside the support side leg and to the outside
of the support side foot.
The trigger finger is OFF the trigger and the safety is ON. When the
shooter is ready to engage an adversary, he simply rotates the
weapon up into line of sight, mounts the rifle into the shoulder and
engages the threat.
STORAGE MODE
To place the weapon in storage mode:










Point the weapon in a safe direction and place the weapon on
SAFE.
Remove the magazine in the rifle and place it in a pocket or
carrier.
Cycle the action to eject the live round from the chamber.
Lock the bolt to the rear.
Perform a visual and physical inspection to verify that the rifle is
unloaded and clear.
Release the bolt and allow it to go forward on an empty
chamber.
Press check to verify the chamber is in fact clear and that the
rifle is unloaded.
Take the weapon off safe and while keeping the rifle pointed in a
safe direction, press the trigger and let the hammer fall on an
empty chamber.
Close and lock the ejection port door.
The rifle is now ready for storage.
36
TRANSPORT MODE










Point the weapon in a safe direction.
Lock the bolt to the rear.
Perform a visual and physical inspection to verify that the rifle is
unloaded and clear.
Release the bolt and allow it to go forward on an empty
chamber.
Press check to verify the chamber is empty and cycle the action.
Place the safety in the ON position.
Insert and lock a fully loaded magazine into the magazine well.
Press check to verify that NO round is in the chamber.
Close and lock the ejection port door.
The rifle is now ready for vehicle transport.
CARRY MODE







Point the weapon in a safe direction.
Press check to verify chamber status and cycle the action.
Place the safety in the ON position.
Insert and lock a fully loaded magazine into the magazine well.
Cycle the action to chamber a round.
Press check to verify that a round has been chambered.
The rifle is now ready for carry.
37
Tactical Sling Use
(Classroom: Lecture, demonstration and dry practice)
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)
TACTICAL SLING USE
The tactical sling can be attached as a two or one point sling system
and is designed for the tactical operator and tactical operations.
Tactical sling systems allow the shooter to quickly move the rifle off to
his side or back when he needs his hands free or just lets the weapon
hang in front, for immediate access.
The tactical sling keeps the rifle attached to the operator and allows
the operator to maintain weapon retention of his rifle while climbing,
handcuffing an assailant or transitioning to his secondary weapon
system.
Loading, Unloading and Reloading the AR-15 / M-4 Rifle
(Classroom: Lecture, demonstration and dry-practice)
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)




Loading the AR-15 / M-4 magazine.
Loading the AR-15 / M-4.
Unloading the AR-15 / M-4.
Reloading the AR-15 / M-4.
LOADING THE AR-15 / M-4 MAGAZINE
Hold the rounds in your shooting hand with the primer end of the
round facing away from you. The magazine is held in the support hand
with the back of the magazine facing away from you. Place the round
on top of the magazine follower or other rounds already in the
magazine and push down and back with both thumbs.
NOTE: The AR-15 / M-4 magazine is designed to hold 20 or 30 rounds
depending on which magazine you are using. Neither magazine will
seat nor lock into the magazine well if it is loaded to capacity and the
bolt is forward.
It is recommended, when loading the AR-15 / M-4 magazine, to load 2
rounds less then the number it can hold. (Load 20 round magazines to
18 and 30 round magazines to 28) This will ensure that the magazine
will seat and lock during loading / reloading when the bolt is locked to
the rear or when the bolt is in battery.
38
LOADING THE AR-15 / M-4 RIFLE









Point the weapon in a safe direction.
Ensure the safety / selector lever is in the SAFE position and
your finger is OFF the trigger.
Pull the charging handle back and lock the bolt to the rear.
With the support hand, firmly grasp the magazine low and check
to ensure it is loaded correctly.
Aggressively insert the magazine into the magazine well. Give it
a strong pull down to ensure it is seated firmly and will not
detach itself from the M-4.
Keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and your finger
OFF the trigger, slap the bolt release with the palm of your
support hand and allow the bolt to move into battery.
Press check to verify a round is chambered.
Depress the forward assist to ensure the bolt is locked into
battery.
The M-4 is now loaded.
UNLOADING THE AR-15 / M-4 RIFLE









Point the weapon in a safe direction.
Ensure the safety / selector lever is in the SAFE position and
your finger is OFF the trigger.
Firmly grasp the magazine with the support hand and remove it
from the M-4. (Place it in your magazine pouch or pocket.)
Keeping the M-4 parallel to the ground, rotate the ejection port
to the right facing it towards the ground.
Move the support hand to the front of the magazine well and
while grasping the lower receiver, depress the bolt catch with
the support thumb.
Slowly and deliberately, pull the charging handle back with the
strong hand. Doing this will pull the bolt back to the rear and
eject the live round from the chamber onto the ground at your
feet.
Cycle the action an extra 2 – 3 times to ensure the chamber is
empty and lock the bolt to the rear.
Rotate the weapon so you can visually inspect the inside area of
the chamber and ejection port and verify that it is clear and
empty.
Physically inspect the inside of the magazine well, ejection port
and chamber area by inserting the index finger of the support
hand into those areas to verify that they are in fact clear. (This
is also the best technique to clear an obstruction in the
chamber.) The M-4 is now unloaded.
39
WARNING: Be aware that when the weapons are worked on the
range for long periods of time, the chamber face and barrel extension
can become extremely hot and may need to cool prior to touching
during physical inspections. Avoid direct contact with the chamber face
and barrel extension when hot!
RELOADING THE AR-15 / M-4 – DOUBLE MAGAZINES (clamped)






Keep the M-4 pulled back firmly into the shoulder with the
shooting side hand and the barrel kept parallel to the ground.
Keep the M-4 and your vision directed towards the threat area.
Move your finger OFF the trigger.
Reach low for the magazine clamp with your support hand and
press the magazine release with your shooting side index finger.
Remove the used magazine. Align the new magazine with the
magazine well and aggressively insert it into the magazine well.
Give the new magazine a firm pull down to ensure that it is
seated correctly.
Keeping the muzzle pointed down range and your finger OFF the
trigger, slap the bolt release with the palm of your support hand
and allow the bolt to move into battery.
This reload can be performed with the bolt forward or locked
back.
NOTE: Applying the safety / selector lever to SAFE before reloading in
not required, and is the option of the shooter. It is not recommended
during a combat situation.
Ideally, the right-handed shooter places the left magazine of the pair
of clamped magazines in the M-4 and vise-versa for the left handed
shooter. This way, the M-4 will lie across the body easier and after the
reload you will position the used magazine into your field of view.
40
RELOADING THE M-4 – USING SINGLE MAGAZINES (unclamped)



Keep the M-4 pulled back firmly into the shoulder with the
shooting side hand and the barrel kept parallel to the ground.
Keep the M-4 and your vision directed towards the threat area.
Move your finger OFF the trigger.
With your support hand, firmly grasp the NEW magazine. Make
sure you grab it low.
1) To save a magazine that still has ammunition in it
during reloading: Take a firm grip high on the
magazine in the magazine well with the thumb and
forefinger of the support hand.
2) Remove the magazine while pressing the magazine
release with your shooting side index finger.
3) Aggressively insert the NEW magazine into the
magazine well. Give the new magazine a firm pull down
to ensure it is seated correctly.
(This reload can be performed with the bolt forward or
locked back)
4) Place the used magazine with rounds remaining back
into the magazine pouch when safe to do so.
5) To discard a magazine during reloading: After
acquiring a NEW magazine, press the magazine release
with your shooting side index finger and let the empty
magazine in the magazine well fall to the ground.
(This reload can be performed with the bolt forward or
locked back)
6) Aggressively insert the NEW magazine into the
magazine well. Give the new magazine a firm pull down
to ensure it is seated correctly.

Keeping the muzzle pointed down range and your finger OFF the
trigger, slap the bolt release with the palm of your support hand
and allow the bolt to move into battery.
NOTE: Applying the safety / selector lever to SAFE before
reloading is not required, and is the option of the shooter. It is not
recommended during a combat situation.
41
Ammunition Management
(Range: Lecture, demonstration and live-fire)




The
The
The
The
three rules of ammunition management.
speed reload.
tactical reload (Tactical magazine exchange)
emergency reload.
AMMUNITION MANAGEMENT
Ammunition management plays a critical role in gunfights. In most
shooting programs and qualification courses, shooters are conditioned
to reload on command at a specified time during the course of fire and
are instructed to fire a pre-determined number of rounds. The shooter
is usually informed when to reload and when the weapon will go into
bolt lock back.
Many shooting programs and qualification courses are developed
around a 50 round box of ammunition. This is simply done for
efficiency seeing that one box of ammunition holds 50 rounds. This
system is a convenient way to keep count of how many rounds, boxes
and cases of ammunition are issued and expended during training.
Utilizing these methods during training, conditions the shooter to rely
on the range master or firearms instructor to tell him when to shoot,
how many rounds to shoot and when to reload. Aptitude in basic gunhandling skills and operation of the weapon is hindered and, in some
instances, lost entirely.
Subsequently, the average police officer only trains when he is
instructed to do so and the only time spent manipulating and operating
the weapon is during required training.
Gun-handling skills are perishable, and without constant training and
development of these skills, the shooter will always be lacking the
skills necessary to survive or win a gunfight.
During this course, the shooter will determine how many rounds will
be fired at a threat during threat engagement. The shooter is not
conditioned to fire a pre-determined number of rounds. The shooter is
required to maintain ammunition management throughout the course
and is not instructed when to reload or what type of reload to perform.
The shooter will also be conditioned to avoid depleting his supply of
ammunition on his person while training. The shooter will start each
training sequence with a sufficient supply of ammunition on his person
and with his weapon loaded.
42
The shooter will maintain ammunition management throughout each
training sequence and step off the firing line with a loaded and slung
weapon, unless specifically instructed to unload.
These requirements will condition the shooter to be cognizant of the
status of his patrol rifle at all times while always maintaining a loaded,
functional weapon.
Ammunition Management Rule # 1: “YOU’RE GOING TO MISS!”
Whether we want to accept this rule or not, it’s reality. Statistics
indicate that the average police officer is only hitting about 18% of the
time. That’s 2 rounds hitting their mark out of every 10 rounds fired.
Misses not only constitute missing the target completely, but also
hitting the target in an area other than that which was aimed at.
Example: The shooter aims at the chest area of a threat and hits the
threat in the arm. That would constitute a miss! Granted, the threat
was hit, but in a non-incapacitating area.
The threat would still be a threat unless he ceased his life threatening
actions or was incapacitated by additional rounds. Maintaining a
constant supply of ammunition in the pistol will allow the shooter to
deliver multiple rounds until the threat ceases or is incapacitated.
Ammunition Management Rule # 2: “BULLETS DON’T WORK!”
Nobody has the one-shot-stop magical bullet. Case studies have
indicated that violent offenders have been known to take multiple hits
from various types of handgun and rifle ammunition during gunfights
while still continuing their violent actions. Rounds over-penetrate, lack
penetration, fail to expand, fail to penetrate and are deflected by
bones. Because of these conditions, shooters may be required to fire
multiple shots into a threat to stop violent and life threatening
behavior.
Ammunition Management Rule # 3: “MULTIPLE OFFENDERS”
Felons and violent offenders often do not work alone. Anyone involved
in a gunfight not prepared to deal with multiple offenders is in for a big
surprise. The shooter must realize that if he is involved in a gunfight,
he must maintain a constant source of ammunition in his pistol and
keep the pistol up and running in anticipation of multiple offenders.
43
THE SPEED RELOAD
A Speed Reload is performed when the shooter makes the decision to
reload but does not have time to save any existing ammunition in the
weapon. The partially loaded magazine in the weapon is discarded and
replaced with a fully loaded magazine.
Although much faster than the Tactical Reload, the ammunition that
was discarded from the weapon in most cases, is lost. This reload can
result in throwing away good ammunition that may be needed later in
an ongoing gunfight.
THE TACTICAL RELOAD (Magazine exchange)
A Tactical Reload is performed when there is a pause or break in the
action and the shooter has the opportunity to replenish the rifle with a
fully loaded magazine while making a conscious effort to save the
partially loaded magazine that is removed from the rifle.
The partially loaded magazine in the pistol is simply swapped out for a
fully loaded magazine and the shooter saves the partially loaded
magazine by placing it in his pocket.
Whenever possible, the shooter should make every effort to avoid
throwing away partially loaded magazines with perfectly good
ammunition.
THE EMERGENCY RELOAD
An Emergency Reload is performed when the shooter depletes the
source of ammunition in the rifle and runs the rifle into bolt-lock
back.
The shooter will immediately acquire a fresh source of ammunition,
eject and discard the existing empty magazine in the rifle and reload
as quickly as possible.
44
Threat Assessment and Area Scanning
(Classroom: Lecture and demonstration)
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)


Assessing the threat.
Area scanning.
THREAT ASSESSMENT AND AREA SCANNING
Once the shooter delivers rounds into a threat, at some point he is going to
have to evaluate the condition of the threat to determine if he is still a
threat.
After the shooter delivers rounds into the threat, he will be conditioned to
slowly and methodically move the weapon out of the line of sight to just
below eye level and change his focus from the sights back to the threat to
assess the damage he has done.
The shooter will keep his finger ON the trigger until he has determined that
the threat is no longer a threat and will not need any more applications of
rounds.
The shooter should pause fire for a moment to evaluate the damage he has
inflicted and determine if the application of rounds he has applied has had
the desired effect.
The shooter will be conditioned to think;
DID I HIT? – DID IT WORK?
If the threat is still active, the shooter simply presents the weapon back into
line of sight, changes his focus back from the threat to the sights and
delivers additional rounds. This process will be repeated until the threat no
longer exists.
Once the shooter has assessed the threat and has determined that the
threat has been neutralized, the shooter will remove his finger from the
trigger, move the weapon to ready pistol and start a 180-degree scan and
breathe.
The weapon will move in the direction the shooter is looking, but will not
break 45 degrees in either direction. Scanning will allow the shooter to
identify other threats in the area.
45
Taking deep breathes during scanning will assist with lowering the heart rate
and flooding the body with oxygenated blood, which will assist with breaking
up vasoconstriction.
Immediate Action Drills
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)




Class
Class
Class
Class
1
2
3
4
–
–
–
–
Failure to fire.
Failure to eject. (Stovepipe)
Double feed.
Bolt override.
CLEARING MALFUNCTIONS AND STOPPAGES WITH THE AR-15 / M-4
Clears: Failure to cycle / feed, failure to fire, failure to extract, failure
to eject and stove pipe.






Point the weapon in a safe direction and drop back onto the
shooting side knee keeping the M-4 and your vision directed
toward the threat area. Simultaneously, observe the ejection
port to determine what type of malfunction you have.
Leave the safety / selector lever in the FIRE position and move
your finger OFF the trigger.
Vigorously and aggressively strike the bottom of the magazine
with the support hand to ensure that it is properly seated.
Keeping the M-4 parallel to the ground, rotate the ejection port
to the right facing it towards the ground.
Grasp the charging handle with the support hand. Vigorously and
aggressively cycle the action to clear all obstructions and
stoppages from the chamber and ejection port areas.
Bring the weapon back into line of sight and engage the threat, if
necessary.
OBSERVE – STRIKE - ROTATE – CYCLE - ENGAGE
46
Clears: Double feed.










Point the weapon in a safe direction and drop back onto the
shooting side knee keeping the M-4 and your vision directed
toward the threat area. Simultaneously, OBSERVE the ejection
port to determine what type of malfunction you have.
Leave the safety / selector lever in the FIRE position and move
your finger OFF the trigger.
Grasp the charging handle with the shooting side hand and
LOCK the bolt to the rear.
Vigorously and aggressively, STRIP the magazine from the
magazine well with the support hand and drop the magazine to
the ground.
If the obstruction does not fall clear from the magazine well, it
may be necessary to reach in through the bottom of the
magazine well with your support hand fingers and CLEAR the
stoppage.
STRIKE the bolt release and let the bolt go forward into battery.
Vigorously and aggressively CYCLE the action several times to
clear the chamber.
Acquire a fresh magazine with your support hand and vigorously
and aggressively INSERT it into the magazine well. Give it a
firm pull to ensure it is seated.
CYCLE the action to chamber a round.
Bring the weapon back into line of sight and engage the threat, if
necessary.
OBSERVE – LOCK - STRIP – CLEAR – INSERT – CYCLE - ENGAGE
47
Transition to Secondary Weapon System
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)



Primary weapon malfunction.
Transition to the handgun.
Long gun weapon retention.
The rifle is the primary weapon system that should be deployed during
tactical operations, active shooter incidents, rapid deployment
incidents and many other situations where an offensive weapon and
superior firepower is necessary.
Unfortunately, the rifle is just as susceptible to malfunctions as any
other weapon system. If the patrol rifle should experience a
malfunction during a deadly force encounter, the shooter may not
have the time necessary to clear or correct the problem and will be
forced to deploy his handgun in self-defense.
When a dynamic situation occurs where the shooter needs to continue
engaging a threat and his primary weapon runs empty or
malfunctions, the shooter will immediately transition to his handgun
and continue to engage the threat until the threat is eliminated.
Failure Drills
(Range: Demonstration and live-fire)




Engaging threats under the influence of drugs.
Engaging threats wearing body armor.
Headshots.
Failure drills.
When dealing with violent people under the influence of drugs and
alcohol, and felons wearing body armor, standard application of rounds
may not be sufficient to stop these threats.
The standard “two to the body and one to the head” drill, in most
cases, is insufficient to stop a threat under these conditions. More
often then not, the headshot is completely missed. This result leaves
the shooter in a position to continue applying this technique until the
threat is stopped or ceases to exist.
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The failure drill focuses on delivery of multiple rounds on the threats
largest exposed area.
When the shooter delivers initial rounds into the threat and determines
that they had an inadequate effect, the shooter will deliver an
additional minimum of six rounds into the largest exposed area of the
threat. This action will be repeated until the violent behavior of the
threat ceases or the threat is incapacitated.
In the event the threat is wearing body armor, the shooter will rely on
the penetration capabilities of the rifle round to stop the threat. If the
threat continues to exist, the shooter will exploit the first opportunity
available to deliver a headshot.
The headshot will only be used as an option and applied at the first
convenient opportunity the shooter has.
Threat Engagement during Movement
(Range: Lecture, demonstration and live-fire)

Moving off the line of force.
Shooting on the move is critical in a gunfight. By moving, the operator
forces the adversary to react to what the operator is doing. The
operator also makes himself a much more challenging and difficult
target to hit. If the operator does not have cover, the operator must
be conditioned to maintain constant movement while shooting.
Class Conclusion
(Classroom: Lecture)




Student Performance Objectives review.
Questions.
Commentary.
Critique.
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Victory at all cost, victory
in spite of all terror,
victory however long and
hard the road may be; for
without victory, there is no
survival….
Sir Winston Churchill
You WILL fight the way you train! Train with intensity. Fight to WIN!
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APPENDIX 1
Rapid Deployment Patrol Rifle Shooting Drills















One-shot drill on shape target. (Static)
Controlled pairs on shape targets during movement off the line of force.
Accelerated pairs on threat target during movement off the line of force.
Two and three shot hammer drills with head shot during movement off the
line of force.
Controlled pairs and hammer drills with head shot during threat engagement
from low-ready.
Controlled pairs and hammer drills with head shot during threat engagement
from combat ready.
Controlled pairs and hammer drills with head shot during threat engagement
from indoor ready.
Controlled pairs with head shot, threat assessment and 180 degree scan.
Hammer drills with head shot; threat assessment and 360 degree scan while
moving off the line of force.
Multi-shot / multi-target hammer drills. (Triple threat drill)
Two / three shot transition to secondary weapon on threat target.
Three, four and five shot failure drills with head shot on threat target.
One, two and three shot Man vs. Man shoot-off drills.
Rapid deployment team threat engagement drill.
Twenty-five round combat rifle qualification course.
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APPENDIX 2
Illinois State Law and Use of Force
State Law and Use of Force
A) Disparity of force.
B) Peace officer’s use of force in making an arrest.
C) Illinois Law; Chapter 720 ILCS 5/7-5:
 A peace officer, or any person whom he has
summoned or directed to assist him, need not
retreat or desist from efforts to make a lawful
arrest because of resistance or threatened
resistance to the arrest. He is justified in the use
of any force, which he reasonably believes is to
be necessary to affect the arrest and any force,
which he reasonably believes to be necessary to
defend himself or another from bodily harm while
making the arrest. However, he is justified in
using force likely to cause death or great bodily
harm only when he reasonably believes that such
force is necessary to prevent death or great
bodily harm to himself or another person, or
when he reasonably believes both that:

Such force is necessary to prevent the arrest from
being defeated by resistance or escape; and

The person to be arrested has committed or
attempted a forcible felony which involves the
infliction or threatened infliction of great bodily
harm; or

Is attempting to escape by use of a deadly
weapon, or

Otherwise indicates that he will endanger
human life or inflict great bodily harm unless
arrested without delay.
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APPENDIX 3
COMBAT RIFLE QUALIFICATION COURSE
Qualification Course will be shot on a modified TQ-21 target.
RANGE
DRILL
REPS
ROUNDS
Move from the 30 yard line to the 25 yard line
STAGE
MODE
1
Semi-automatic
3
5
2 body /
1 head
1 rep of
3
Move from the 25 yard line to the 15 yard line
Semi-automatic
15
2 body /
1 rep of
3
yards
1 head
Move from the 15 yard line to the 10 yard line
Semi-automatic
10
2 body /
1 rep of
3
yards
1 head
Move from the 10 yard line to the 7 yard line
2
4
25
yards
TIME
3
8.0 sec.
3
7.0 sec.
3
6.0 sec.
Semi-automatic
7
3 body /
1 rep of
4
5.0 sec.
yards
1 head
4
Lateral movement off the line of force on each presentation
Semi-automatic
7
3 shot
4 reps
12
3.0 sec.
yards hammer to
of 3
the body
Total Rounds =
25
Scoring System
Body Shots





Each round
Each round
Each round
Any rounds
Any rounds
inside the 10-ring on the body is worth 4 points + X.
inside the 9-ring on the body is worth 3 points.
inside the 8-ring on the body is worth 2 points.
on the body outside the scoring rings are worth 1 point.
outside the body area are counted as a miss. (Zero points)
Head Shots



Each round inside the ocular vault on the head is worth 4 points + X.
Each round on the head outside the ocular vault is worth 2 points.
Any rounds outside the head scoring rings area counted as a miss.
(Zero points)
Passing score = 70%
Expert
= 93% to 100%
Sharpshooter = 85% to 92%
Marksman
= 70% to 84%
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REFERENCES
.
Colt Manufacturing Company, Inc. AR-15 / M-16 / M-4 Armorers
Course NRA Headquarters / Fairfax, Virginia
March / 1999
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Firearms Instructor
Training Program Glynco, Georgia
February / 2000
Heckler & Koch International Training Division. MP-5 Operator
Course Manual Las Vegas, Nevada
February / 1998
Heckler & Koch International Training Division. MP-5 Instructor
Course Manual La Crosse, Wisconsin
July / 1998
Secret Service Academy. Firearms Instructor Training Course
Manual Laurel, Maryland
April / 2001
Singleton International. H&K MP-5 / UMP and Colt M-16 / M-4
Instructor Manual Elgin, Illinois
August / 2002
University of Illinois/Police Training Institute. Police
Carbine/Rifle Instructor Course Mt. Carroll, Illinois
October / 2000
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