*FM 23-65

Field Manual No. 23-65

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington, DC, 19 June 1991

Table of Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1-1. Training Strategy

1-2. Description

1-3. Components

1-4. Ground Mounts

1-5. Accessories for Ground Mounts

1-6. Vehicular Mounts

1-7. Ammunition

CHAPTER 2 - MAINTENANCE

2-1. Safety

2-2. General Disassembly

2-3. Cleaning, Inspection, and Lubrication

2-4. Maintenance Procedures

2-5. Maintenance Under NBC Conditions

2-6. General Assembly

2-7. Function Check

CHAPTER 3 - OPERATION AND FUNCTIONING

3-1. Operation

3-2. Loading Procedures

3-3. Unloading Procedures

3-4. Cycle of Functioning

3-5. Left-Hand Feed

3-6. Headspace and Timing

CHAPTER 4 - PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS AND DESTRUCTION

4-1. Malfunctions

4-2. Stoppages

4-3. Immediate Action

4-4. Remedial Action

4-5. Destruction Procedures

CHAPTER 5 - MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING

Section I. Planning

5-1. Objectives

5-2. Commander's Responsibilities

5-3. Phases of Training

5-4. Sustainment Training

5-5. Remedial Training

Section II. Fundamentals

5-6. Firing Positions

5-7. Dry Fire Training

5-8. Range Determination

5-9. Observation and Adjustment of Fire

5-10. Fire Commands

5-11. Crew Exercises

5-12. Machine Gun Fundamental Skills Test

Section III. Basic Marksmanship

5-13. Concept of Zeroing/Targeting

5-14. 10-Meter Firing Exercise

5-15. Transition Day Firing Exercise

5-16. NBC Firing

5-17. Night Fire Exercise

Section IV. Advanced Gunnery

5-18. Objectives

5-19. Tracking and Leading Exercises

5-20. Mounted Firing Exercise

5-21. Mounted NBC Firing Excerise

5-22. Predetermined Firing Exercise

CHAPTER 6 - COMBAT TECHNIQUES OF FIRE

Section I. Fundamentals

6-1. Characteristics of Fire

6-2. Classes of Fire

Section II. Fire Control

6-3. Methods of Fire Control

6-4. Targets and Their Engagement

6-5. Overhead Fire

6-6. Defilade Positions

6-7. Methods of Laying the Gun for Defilade Firing

6-8. Final Protective Fires

6-9. Application of Fire

6-10. Fire Adjustment

6-11. Antiaircraft Gunnery

Section III. Limited Visibility Conditions

6-12. Difficulties

6-13. Terminology

6-14. Target Engagement

6-15. Fire Control

6-16. Preplanned Fires

6-17. NBC Considerations

CHAPTER 7 - TRAIN THE TRAINER PROGRAM

7-1. Concept

7-2. Trainer Certification Program

7-3. Responsibilities and Duties of the Trainer

APPENDIX A - SAFETY

APPENDIX B - TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

APPENDIX C - RANGES AND TRAINING EXERCISES

APPENDIX D - FIGHTING POSITIONS

APPENDIX E - RANGE CARDS

APPENDIX F - AERIAL DEFENSE

GLOSSARY

REFERENCES

AUTHORIZATION LETTER

*This publication supersedes FM 23-65, 19 May 1972, and TC 23-65-1, 19 September 1984.