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