UNIT TRAINING PROGRAM
A unit training program must focus on three battlefield variables to be effective: the nature of the target (moving or stationary, single or multiple); the nature of the firer (stationary or moving); and the conditions (full or limited visibility, with or without protective mask, day or night). The training program must prepare the unit for war by enabling soldiers to develop and sustain proficiency in M249 tasks for both leader and soldier. This includes not just individual training but the evaluation of soldier proficiency. Good preliminary marksmanship training is an integral part of training before and between firings. Individual training must be integrated with battle drills and other collective training to ensure the program prepares the unit for war. This appendix provides guidance for conduct and performance of unit training during preliminary marksmanship training for the M249 automatic rifle. This proposed training program for units with the bipod-mounted M249 AR is subdivided into the following periods:Introduction. Preliminary marksmanship training and dry fire. Proficiency (performance) examination. 10-meter zero practice and qualification. (NBC is integrated.) Transition range, field zero, and practice firing. (NBC is integrated.) Transition range qualification firing. (NBC is integrated.) Night zero and instructional firing. Night practice firing. A-1. PERIOD 1--INTRODUCTION (3-HOUR PERIOD)
After a brief description of the weapon, soldiers receive the following instruction.
Disassembly and Assembly Time Allowed Disassembly. 25 minutes Operator maintenance: Inspection. 10 minutes Cleaning. 10 minutes Lubrication. 10 minutes Assembly. 25 minutes Disassembly and assembly 50 minutes (practice exercise--optional). __________________ Subtotal 2 hours 10 minutes Characteristics of Fire Time Allowed Burst fire. 15 minutes Trajectory and beaten zone. 15 minutes Engagements of targets: Point. 10 minutes Area. 10 minutes __________________ Subtotal 50 minutes TOTAL 3 hours
A-2. PERIOD 2--PRELIMINARY MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING AND DRY FIRE (3-HOUR PERIOD)
After a brief description of the training to be conducted, soldiers receive the following instructions on the M249 AR.
Techniques of Fire Time Allowed Position and grip, aiming, and trigger manipulation. 30 minutes Loading belt and magazine ammunition. 15 minutes Reducing stoppages and clearing the weapon. 15 minutes __________________ Subtotal 1 hour Dry-Fire Practice Time Allowed Aiming and firing sequence. 30 minutes Sight setting and sight changes. 30 minutes Zeroing procedures. 1 hour __________________ Subtotal 2 hours TOTAL 3 hours
A-3. PERIOD 3--PROFICIENCY (PERFORMANCE) EXAMINATION (1-HOUR PERIOD)
This period tests and evaluates tasks learned in Periods 1 and 2. The proficiency examination described in Appendix B may be used in this period of instruction.
TOTAL 1 hour
A-4. PERIOD 4--10-METER ZERO PRACTICE AND QUALIFICATION (4-HOUR PERIOD)
Instructional Subperiods Time Allowed Preliminary marksmanship training including the four fundamentals and bipod positions. 30 minutes Function checks, loading, immediate action, clearing, and range safety. 15 minutes Introduction to the 10-meter firing (includes zeroing and practice qualification with NBC integrated on the 10-meter target, and scoring of the target). 15 minutes Zero firing. 1 hour Practice day (NBC integrated) Table I. 1 hour Qualification day (NBC integrated) Table I. 1 hour __________________ TOTAL 4 hours
A-5. PERIOD 5--TRANSITION RANGE PRACTICE FIRING (4-HOUR PERIOD)
Instruction Time Allowed Introduction to field firing (includes the transition range organization and operation). 15 minutes Fire standard qualification course for practice (IAW with procedures in Chapter 5). 3 hours, 45 minutes ___________________ TOTAL 4 hours
A-6. PERIOD 6--TRANSITION RANGE QUALIFICATION FIRING (NBC INTEGRATED) (4-HOUR PERIOD)
Soldiers fire the standard qualification course for record IAW procedures in Chapter 5.
TOTAL 4 hours
A-7. PERIOD 7--NIGHT ZERO, INSTRUCTIONAL, AND PRACTICE FIRING (4-HOUR PERIOD)
Soldiers receive instruction on mounting, placing the AN/PVS-4 into operation, boresighting, and zeroing the device once it is seated. They fire standard night course as Period 6, except an AN/PVS-4 is mounted on the weapon.
TOTAL 4 hours
A-8. SUMMARY OF HOURS
Period 1 3 Period 2 3 Period 3 1 Period 4 4 Period 5 4 Period 6 4 Period 7 4 _____________ TOTAL 23 hours
A-9. SUMMARY OF AMMUNITION REQUIRED
Period 4, Table I 108 rounds (zero, practice, and qualification) Periods 5 and 6, Table II 144 rounds (zero, practice, and qualification) Period 7, Table III 90 rounds (seat, boresight, zero, instructional, and practical) TOTAL 342 rounds