Rifle Lesson 5 - Holding and Aiming in the Prone Position PDF

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 455 Rifle Lesson 5. Holding and Aiming in the Prone Position (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marksmanship Principles) Instructors Notes 1-134. Aim. To teach the cadet to hold the rifle correctly in the prone position and aim correctly. a. Adopting the prone...

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 455 Rifle Lesson 5. Holding and Aiming in the Prone Position (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marksmanship Principles) Instructors Notes 1-134. Aim. To teach the cadet to hold the rifle correctly in the prone position and aim correctly. a. Adopting the prone position. b. Holding and breathing. c. Adjusting for eye relief and aiming. 1-135. Timings. Two 40-minute periods (to be covered in one training session). 1-136. Method. A basic instructional lesson, preferably outdoors. 1-137. Stores. Rifle fitted with iron sight and sling 1 per cadet/CFAV Magazines 2 per cadet/CFAV Magazine platform depressors 1 per magazine Figure Targets/Representative Figure Targets as required Aiming Aids 1 per cadet/CFAV Screwdriver/combination tool 1 per instructor Landscape Target optional Ground Sheets optional 1-138. Preparation. a. Instructors should have a thorough knowledge of the Marksmanship Principles. Such knowledge will allow instructors to correct faults effectively and to offer sound advice to improve cadets’ marksmanship skills. b. If the lesson is to be taken outdoors put targets at 100 metres or position representative targets. c. If the lesson has to be taken indoors, sufficient floor space must be provided so that cadets can build up their positions correctly with representative targets positioned. d. Until correct eye relief has been established ensure that all Iron Sights are moved fully forward on the sight mount. e. Position, or issue, all the stores required by each cadet. 1-139. Miscellaneous. a. The rifle is designed to be fired from the right shoulder only. Even if a cadet has their left eye as their master eye, the cadet is to be trained to aim using their right eye. To determine if the right eye is the master eye focus on an object with both eyes open and then point at that object with the index finger. Close the left eye and if the index finger remains pointing at the object the right eye is the master eye. Repeat this process with the right eye and if the index finger remains pointing at the object the left eye is the master eye. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-56 b. Firing from the prone position with the magazine rested is taught and practiced during this lesson and referred to as the prone supported position. Firing in the prone position without resting the magazine is referred to as the prone unsupported position. Firing from the prone supported position is to be encouraged, especially when firing from longer ranges. However, instructors/coaches should ensure that the prone unsupported position is mastered and practiced prior to adopting the prone supported position. c. Eye Relief. Rifles are of a standard length. The Iron Sight is adjusted so the optimum eye relief can be achieved. 1-140. Cadets are to be closely supervised when carrying out adjustments for eye relief. Preliminaries 1-141. Safety Precautions. Normal. 1-142. Fit platform depressors to all magazines. Identify the master eye. 1-143. Revision. a. Loading, ready, make safe and unload. Leave the weapons loaded. b. Question cadets on the marksmanship principles if previously taught. Introduction 1-144. Explain: It is essential that cadets are capable of firing their rifle accurately under all conditions. This can best be achieved if the cadet understands and applies the marksmanship principles: a. The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon. b. The weapon must point naturally at the target without undue physical effort. c. Sight alignment and the sight picture must be correct. d. The shot must be released and followed through without undue disturbance to the position. 1-145. The application of these principles demands concentration, combined with a determination to shoot well. This lesson covers the first three of these principles. The fourth is covered in the next lesson. Conduct of the Lesson The Prone Unsupported Position 1-146. Explain. The basic shooting position is the prone unsupported position since it gives the firer best support, presents a small target to the enemy and is the least tiring. The firer may adopt variations of this position depending on their height and build however the chosen position must provide maximum support. 1-147. Explain and Demonstrate: On the command “Prone Position Down” AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 457 a. Maintain a firm grip with the right hand, ensure the weapon does not come into contact with the ground, and keep the weapon pointing in a safe direction and lie down. b. Hold the rifle with the left hand on the handguard and the right hand on the pistol grip, forefinger outside the trigger guard. Tilt the weapon to the left, this is known as the ‘Rest’ position. c. To aid with target alignment, place the feet together, heels uppermost, move position until the body and rifle are roughly aligned onto the target. Then adopt either of the leg positions. (1) Cadets are to be encouraged to try both positions to find which best suits them. (2) Whichever position is chosen the body must be relaxed to avoid muscle tremors. d. Leg Position 1 (see Fig 1-41). Maintaining the alignment onto the target, open the legs until the feet are approximately shoulder’s width apart and feel comfortable. The feet should now be positioned with the toes pointing outwards and the inside of the heels flat on the ground. This position will ensure that the right side of the body, including the whole of the right leg is immediately behind the rifle, ensuring maximum support and reducing the effect of recoil. Fig 1-41. Leg Position 1 e. Leg Position 2 (see Fig 1-42). Adjust the body so that it is slightly angled to the left of the line of fire. Open the legs so that the left leg is on the same line as the body, the leg muscles relaxed, and the toes turned inwards. Bend the right leg, drawing it up to form a continuation of the line of fire, the right foot pointing outwards with the heel on the ground. This position will lift the chest higher off the ground, taking the pressure off the diaphragm. 1-148. On the word of command “stand up”, maintain a firm grip with the right hand on the pistol grip. Ensure Fig 1-42. Leg Position 2 that no part of the rifle comes into contact with the ground, stand up and adopt the loaded position. 1-149. Confirm by practice. Holding in the Prone Unsupported Position (9 key point check list) 1-150. In order to achieve a firm position that will support the rifle it is recommended that instructors teach cadets to run through a checklist of the 9 key points that form the shooting position and firing the shot. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-58 a. Leg position. b. Butt position. c. Left hand grip. d. Left elbow position. e. Right hand grip. f. Right elbow position. g. Head position. h. Relaxation in position. i. Breathing. 1-151. Explain and Demonstrate: (see Fig 1-41). Order “Down” then “Ready”: a. Legs. Adopt the preferred prone unsupported position. b. Butt. Position the butt into the shoulder and hold the rifle with both hands using a relaxed grip. Align along the barrel axis and adjust the body line until the weapon is pointing naturally towards the target. Look along the line of the barrel to check for obstructions forward of the muzzle. (1) Checking for muzzle clearance is necessary because it is possible to achieve a clear line of sight to the target and at the same time have an obstruction in front of the barrel. (2) The correct placement of the butt in the shoulder reduces the effect of recoil, helps to steady the rifle and prevents the butt from slipping during firing. The butt must not be in contact with the collar bone. c. Left Hand. The left hand is positioned under the hand guard, as far forward as comfort allows. Open the left hand fully, fingers together and rest the hand guard across the palm. Allow the fingers to close around the hand guard and without strain. The left hand should remain relaxed, with the fingers together; no attempt should be made to grip the hand guard tightly or to pull backwards. d. Left Elbow. Place the left elbow as close as possible to a central point below the weapon. This will provide maximum bone support. The hold with the left arm should be sufficiently firm enough to form a stable platform to support the weight of the weapon and maintain steadiness. e. Right Hand Grip. The right hand is the controlling hand and must grip the pistol grip firmly. To achieve this, raise the right elbow clear of the ground and open the hand. Position the web of the forefinger and thumb as high as comfortably possible on the pistol grip and directly behind it, then wrap the fingers around the grip with the forefinger outside the trigger guard. f. Right Elbow. Without disturbing the hold and without tilting the rifle, lower the right elbow to a natural position to provide support. A firm, consistent, rearward pressure must be exerted to keep the butt in its proper position in the shoulder. g. Head Position. Lower the head to place the cheek lightly onto the cheek AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 459 piece. It is important to place the cheek at the same spot each time the position is taken. This allows the firer to achieve consistent and correct eye relief. With the head in this position the right eyebrow should be 25 mm or more from the aperture to give correct eye relief (see Fig 1-45). h. Relaxation. The cadet must learn to relax in the firing position, failure to do so will result in muscle strain and subsequent movement of the rifle and aim picture. This will be achieved with practice; however, a conscious effort must be made to relax but without disturbing the alignment of the rifle to the target area. i. Breathing. Breathing is covered in detail during Rifle Lesson 6. 1-152. Confirm by practice. (Remind cadets to run through the ‘9 key point checklist’ as they build up their position), break squad into pairs to use Master Pupil. Prone Supported Position (Magazine Rested) 1-153. Explain and demonstrate (see Fig 1-44). Firing from the prone supported position involves resting the magazine on the ground or cover. This offers excellent, sustainable support with little effort on the part of the firer. It eliminates the need for strict breath control, especially when firing quickly. It also aids accurate rapid fire as the sight barely moves from the POA. Firing from this position will also reduce the size of the target that the firer presents to the enemy. Care must be taken to ensure that the position affords adequate muzzle clearance. 1-154. Explain and Demonstrate: a. b. Either: (1) Adopt the prone unsupported position already taught. (2) Once the position and hold are correct, move the elbows outwards until the magazine is in contact with the ground. (3) Care must be taken to ensure that there are no loose stones beneath the magazine. Or: (1) Rest the magazine on the ground first ensuring that there are no loose stones beneath it. (2) Move the body up to the rifle to ensure good contact with the butt and build up the position following the key point checklist. 1-155. Confirm by practice (Remind to use 9 point check list) AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-60 Fig 1-43. The Prone Unsupported Position Fig 1-44. The Prone Supported Position (Magazine Rested) Eye Relief Adjustment - Iron Sight. 1-156. Explain and Demonstrate: To adjust the Iron Sights to obtain correct eye relief: a. Loosen the retaining screws. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 461 b. Unscrew the locating stud and slide the sight unit forward or back- ward. c. Adjust so that the locating stud is located in the hole in the sight rail that gives the best possible eye relief of 25mm (see Fig 1-45). If wearing glasses this is from the end of lens. d. It is important that the locating stud is always located in one of the holes in the sight rail, as damage can occur if the stud is tightened on to the sight rail. e. Tighten the retaining screws. f. Fine adjustment to obtain optimum eye relief can be achieved by moving the position of the head on the check piece. This will ensure a consistent position is achieved. g. The individual setting of the locating stud should be noted by each cadet and recorded by the SAAI. 1-157. Confirm by practice after adjustment (if necessary), leaving the sights correctly positioned. (Instructors are to check each cadet’s eye relief before moving on). 25mm Fig 1-45. Correct Eye Relief Aiming 1-158. Where to Aim. Explain and Demonstrate using diagrams, landscape and figure targets (see Fig 1-46): a. In the early stages of shooting training a white patch is superimposed on the target. Always aim at the bottom centre of the patch. Initially it serves as a defined Point of Aim (POA) for grouping practices. Later, the patch will be used as a datum point for zeroing. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-62 b. When engaging targets without a patch, select a POA that will apply fire to the target centre. c. A target may be located by muzzle flash, smoke, or movement. When engaging a large target such as a hedgerow, the section commander may indicate an enemy position or positions. In every case select the POA that will apply fire to the target. d. The influence of wind and other factors can affect the fall of shot. It may be necessary to aim away from the centre of the target to attain a central hit. Covered in more detail in Rifle Lesson 10. 1-159. How to Aim - Iron Sight. Explain and Demonstrate using sight picture diagrams (see Fig 1-46): Aiming with the iron sights can never become instinctive, though practice can induce speed. Above all it requires concentration to achieve sight alignment together with the correct aim picture, this is a four-point-relationship between the eye, the centre of the aperture, tip of the foresight and the POA on the target (Remembered by the mnemonic EA-S-T). a. Align the body and rifle onto the target area as taught. b. Position the head to gain correct eye relief. c. Close the left eye. Then look through the centre of the aperture and centralise the tip of the foresight on the POA and in the aperture. Ensure the foresight is upright and clearly in focus. d. It may be necessary to move the head slightly in order to achieve the correct sight alignment; once it is achieved the position of the head must remain unchanged. e. Maintaining this alignment, focus the tip of the foresight blade onto the selected POA to complete the aim picture. It should be noted the POA on the target will become blurred. f. During aiming it is necessary to switch focus between the foresight and POA to maintain the correct aim picture; however, focus must be on the foresight immediately before firing. 1-160. Confirm by question and practice. Allow the squad to use aim diagrams to illustrate their answers. Give practice in central aiming and aiming up/down, left/right on figure and natural targets. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 463 Fig 1-46. Correct Aim Pictures Testing and Adjusting in the Prone Position 1-161. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: Order “Down” then “Ready”. a. On adopting a firing position, the cadet must align the body and rifle onto the target as previously taught and practiced. (1) Before the first or subsequent shots are fired it is essential that fine adjustments are made to the body position to ensure that the rifle points naturally along the intended line of fire. (2) Natural alignment can be checked by obtaining the correct aim picture, closing both eyes, taking several deep breaths and then reopening the firing eye. The aim picture will now reflect where the weapon is naturally pointing. (3) Adjustments must be made by moving the lower part of the body. Apart from holding and supporting the rifle correctly the hands and arms remain passive. There must be no pushing, pulling, or lifting of the arms to force the rifle onto the POA. b. To finalise the position: AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-64 (1) It is essential that the weapon is held correctly, and the head and body are correctly positioned. (2) Keep the arms passive and adjust the body position until the aim is correct. Numerous small movements may be necessary to achieve this, including slight movement of the legs or feet. (3) Adjustments for elevation are made by moving the body forwards or back. Do not move the elbows. (4) For lateral adjustments move the lower body left or right. Remember to keep the arms passive and avoid moving the left elbow. (5) Confirmation of correct alignment can be gained by watching the vertical movement of the foresight whilst breathing, which should be directly through the POA. Errors will be shown by diagonal movement across the POA. 1-162. Confirm by practice. Conclusion 1-163. End of Lesson Drill. a. Questions from the squad on the entire lesson. b. Confirm by questions and practice as time permits. c. Safety Precautions. Normal. d. Pack kit. e. Summary. To include the following: (1) The importance of accurate, consistent aiming, together with firm and correct holding. (2) The need to achieve correct eye relief by moving the position of the head or by correct positioning of the sight. (3) Every attempt must be made to relax and achieve consistency when firing; to that end always run through the ‘‘9 key point checklist’ when building up a firing position. f. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson on this subject. Rifle Lesson 6. Firing in the Prone Position (4th Marksmanship Principle) Instructors Notes 1-164. Aim. To teach how to fire the weapon in the prone position by combining the four marksmanship principles. a. Breathing control. b. Deliberate trigger operation. AC 71807-C Aug 23