Rifle Lesson 8. Firing Positions PDF

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-76 Rifle Lesson 8. Firing from Other Positions and Use of Cover Instructors Notes 1-213. Aim. To teach the cadet how to fire from the kneeling, sitting, and standing positions, and use of cover. a. Area aiming. b. Firing from other positions...

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-76 Rifle Lesson 8. Firing from Other Positions and Use of Cover Instructors Notes 1-213. Aim. To teach the cadet how to fire from the kneeling, sitting, and standing positions, and use of cover. a. Area aiming. b. Firing from other positions. c. Firing from cover. 1-214. Timings. Two 40-minute periods (to be covered in one training session). 1-215. Method. A basic instructional lesson, preferably outdoors. 1-216. 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 (optional) 1-217. Preparation. a. Instructors must have a thorough knowledge of the marksmanship principles. Such knowledge will allow instructors to correct faults effectively and to offer sound advice to improve cadet marksmanship skills. b. Select an area that will allow the squad to adopt the ideal kneeling, sitting and standing positions. c. Site the targets in relation to the instructional position; a clear line of sight of at least 100 metres is desirable. 1-218. Miscellaneous. a. As the positions to be taught are less stable than the prone position, it is extremely difficult to keep the weapon absolutely steady when aiming. An area aim instead of a specific point on the target has to be accepted. Instructors should however insist that this area be as small as possible. The area will decrease or increase in size in direct relation to the stability of the position, the time available to achieve shot release and the strength of the firer. b. Student must fire in each position to achieve the aim of the lesson. c. All of the magazines are to be fitted with platform depressors after the NSPs have been carried out. d. It is to be noted when live firing, that the weapon is always to be held horizontal to the ground pointing towards the target area. e. Rifles should be cocked manually by assistants during practice. Preliminaries AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 477 1-219. Safety Precautions. Normal, magazine platform depressors are to be fitted. 1-220. Revision. Firing in the prone unsupported and prone rested positions. Remind upon the importance of following the ‘keys points - check list’ taught in Rifle Lesson 5 and emphasise deliberate and continuous trigger operation techniques. Leave weapons loaded. Introduction 1-221. Explain: It is often impossible to engage targets from the prone position because of undergrowth, crops or cover in streets and buildings. Cadets must therefore learn to adopt and fire from other firing positions such as kneeling, sitting, and standing. Whatever position is decided upon, it must be adopted quickly, and the maximum stability and comfort achieved. Conduct of the Lesson Area Aiming 1-222. Explain using a target: As the positions to be taught are less stable than the prone position, it is difficult to keep the weapon absolutely steady when aiming. An area aim instead of a specific point on the target has to be accepted. With practice you will be able to make the area as small as possible. The size of the area will decrease or increase in direct relation to the stability of the position, the time available for shot release and the strength of the firer. 1-223. Confirm during the practice of firing from each firing position. Kneeling Position 1-224. Explain and Demonstrate, (see Fig 1-48): The kneeling position can be quickly and easily adopted particularly when advancing. It is convenient when using low cover. It provides reasonable stability and providing the knee can be suitably positioned it can be maintained for fairly lengthy periods without undue discomfort. 1-225. On the word of command “Kneeling Position, Down” a. Face half right to the line of fire. Kneeling on the right knee, keeping it well out to the right and sit on the heel or side of the foot. The boot may be positioned toecap downwards or with the forward part of the sole flat on the ground. Alternatively, the right knee may be positioned adjacent to the left foot rather than keeping it well out to the right. b. The left foot must be positioned flat on the ground with the toe pointing slightly inwards. The left knee should afford good support to the left elbow, enabling bone support to be achieved. c. Support the weight of the weapon in the left hand and rest the left forearm behind or in front of the left knee. Grip the pistol grip with the right hand and rest the butt on the right thigh or pouch. This is known as the ‘Rest’ position. d. On the command “Ready”, adopt the ‘Alert’ position. The butt will be higher in the shoulder than in the prone position, because of the need to keep the head upright. Place the left elbow either in front of or behind the knee and support the AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-78 weapon by the hand guard. Lower the muzzle slightly and look over the sights. The body should remain relaxed with the weight over the right heel. e. The sequence and drill for firing a shot are as for the prone position; however, it is important to test and adjust the position before firing. Order “Fire” (the instructor is to fire a shot). f. On the command “Stop” put the safety catch to Safe (S), place the finger outside the trigger guard, and remain in the ‘Alert’ position looking over the sights. g. On the command “Rest” or “Make Safe” the weapon is brought out of the shoulder and supported on the knee, (see Fig 1-48). ‘Rest’ ‘Alert’ Fig 1-48. The Kneeling Position 1-226. Confirm by practice. Remind cadets to apply the ‘9 key point checklist’ when building up their firing positions. Use assistant cockers. Sitting Position 1-227. Explain and Demonstrate, (see Fig 1-49): The sitting position is used particularly when firing from a forward slope, low cover or in an ambush position. On the word of command “Sitting Position, Down” a. Sit with the legs crossed or apart and the feet in a comfortable position, AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 479 digging the heels in if necessary. Slightly angle the lower part of the body to the target. Hold the weapon in the ‘Rest’ position. b. On the command “Ready” adopt the ‘Alert’ position. As for the kneeling position the head should be higher than usual. Lean forward, curve the spine, and position the elbows behind, inside, or in front of the knees. It is important to avoid positioning the point of the elbow with any bone area of the knee joint. c. Support the weapon using the hand guard and keep the head upright. The sequence and drill for firing a shot are the same as for the prone position. d. Order “Fire” (the instructor is to fire a shot). e. On the command “Stop” put the safety catch to safe (S), place the finger outside the trigger guard, and remain in the ‘Alert’ position looking over the sights. f. On the command “Rest” or “Make Safe” the weapon is brought out of the shoulder and rested (as in the kneeling position). Fig 1-49. The Sitting Position 1-228. Confirm by practice. Remind cadets to apply the ‘9 key point checklist’ when building up their firing positions. Use assistant cockers. Standing Position 1-229. Explain and Demonstrate, (see Fig 1-50): This position is taught for use on blank firing and dry training exercises only, cadets or CFAVs are not permitted to live fire this weapon from the standing position. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-80 1-230. Apart from firing from behind high cover the standing position is mainly used for firing at fleeting targets whilst advancing. It will normally only be the initial engagement position; on taking cover another position would be adopted: Fig 1-50. The Standing Position a. On the command “Ready” adopt the ‘Alert’ position and keep the head upright. b. If firing a quick shot adopt the standing position with the left foot forward, with the body turned slightly to the right, the right leg in line with the left foot and the right foot turned outwards. The butt may be higher in the shoulder to allow a more natural head position. c. Reach forward with the left hand to support the rifle by the hand guard and maintain a firm grip with the right hand pulling the rifle directly back in the shoulder. d. Where time allows the static holding position will always provide greater stability. With the feet a shoulder’s width apart the weight of the body is evenly distributed on both legs, with the feet immediately below the shoulders, toes pointing slightly outwards. To balance the weight of the rifle, arc the back slightly at the waist. Natural pointing of the weapon is completed by moving the feet. e. The left arm is brought towards the front of the body and the upper arm kept against the chest, the left elbow resting against the top of the hip or pouch. The right arm is raised to form a firm support for the butt in the shoulder. f. The sequence and drill for firing a shot are the same as for the prone AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 481 position. Order “Fire” (the instructor is to fire a shot). g. On the command “Stop” put the safety catch to Safe (S), place the finger outside the trigger guard, and remain in the ‘Alert’ position looking over the sights. 1-231. Confirm by practice, adopting and firing from both standing positions. Remind cadets to apply the ‘9 key point checklist’ when building up their firing positions. Use assistant cockers. Leave the weapons loaded. Use of Cover 1-232. Explain and demonstrate (see Fig 1-51): The ideal fire position offers: a. Protection and cover from view. (1) Fire around the right side of the cover to present less of a target to the enemy and if the cover is narrow, get directly behind it and keep the legs together (see Fig 1-51 (a)). (2) If possible, fire through cover not over it. When firing from inside a building keep back in the shadows (see Fig 1-51 (b) and (c)). (3) Cover from view is not bullet proof should you be observed. Avoid being isolated and always consider routes in and out of a position. b. Free use of weapons. (1) Select the most suitable firing position, in scrub, adopt the knee-ling position for short periods, if staying longer the sitting position would be better. (2) To avoid injury or stoppages, solid cover close to the ejection opening must be avoided. c. An unobstructed view of the arc of fire. (1) The need for muzzle clearance is essential for all firing positions, to combine protection, keep as close to the top of the bank or crest as possible. (2) Because of the sights restricted field of view, before firing, look over the sight and check the immediate area to the left and right of the line of fire for personnel. d. Stability to the firing position chosen. (1) Adapt firing positions previously taught to suit the particular cover used, for example, use the corner of a trench using the prone position. (2) Always try to rest the forearm, back of the hand or handguard on the cover. Do not rest the barrel as this will displace the shots. 1-233. Confirm by questions and practice using various different pieces of cover (low banks/folds in the ground, trees/bushes, walls/houses, scrub, and trenches). AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 483 Conclusion 1-234. 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 fact that no matter which position is adopted the four marksmanship principles are to be applied. f. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson on this subject. AC 71807-C Aug 23