UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
WEAPONS TRAINING BATTALION
COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
MARINE CORPS COMBAT DEVELOPMENT COMMAND
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA 221345040
LESSON PLAN
PREPARATION FOR IMMEDIATE TARGET ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
CMC-21
COMBAT MARKSMANSHIP COACHES COURSE
08/12/2008
APPROVED BY ______DATE ______
(ON SLIDE #1)
INTRODUCTION (3 MIN)
1. GAIN ATTENTION. When moving in close quarters, on patrol, or in a built-up area, the shooter must be prepared to engage targets quickly and accurately. As a coach you must prepare your shooters for these types of engagements. Your shooters must be able to effectively engage targets within close proximity and/or targets that only present themselves in a limited amount of time. Being able to accurately engage threats in a matter of seconds could be the difference killing the enemy or being killed by the enemy. By the end of this period of instruction you will be able to ensure that your shooters have the skills to engage immediate targets and be the one killing the enemy and not being killed by the enemy.
(On slide #2)
2. OVERVIEW. Good morning, my name is . . . The purpose of this lesson is to discuss the preparation for immediate target engagement techniques. I will cover this by discussing the safety considerations, effects of weather, and the conduct or immediate target engagement. This lesson pertains to rifle weapons handling and analyzing the effects of weather.
(On slide #3)
3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE. Given targets, range supplies, equipment, prepared shooters, and a suitable range coach immediate target engagement techniques with the service rifle or carbine. So that all performance steps are accomplished, and all shooters achieve shooter proficiency level per MCO 3574.2_.
b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE.
1) Given targets, range supplies, equipment, prepared shooters and a suitable range, explain safety considerations so that all performance steps are accomplished and all shooters achieve shooter proficiency level per MCO 3574.2_
2) Given targets, range supplies, equipment, prepared shooters and a suitable range, explain preparation for the effects of weather so that all performance steps are accomplished and all shooters achieve shooter proficiency level per MCO 3574.2_
3) Given targets, range supplies, equipment, prepared shooters and a suitable range, conduct combat marksmanship so that all performance steps are accomplished and all shooters achieve shooter proficiency level per MCO 3574.2_
(On slide #4)
4. METHOD/MEDIA. This lesson will be taught using the informal lecture method. I will be aided by a power point presentation.
5. EVALUATION. You will not be evaluated on this period of instruction.
6. SAFETY/CEASE TRAINING (CT) BRIEF. There is no safety brief associated with this lesson. (or give the brief)
(On slide #5)
TRANSITION: Are there any questions relating to how this lesson will be conducted? If not, let’s talk about the safety considerations.
BODY ( 25 MIN)
(On slide #6)
1. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS. ( 15 Min)
a. Before Firing. Before conducting firing of immediate target engagement your shooters need to be familiar with the procedures of presenting the weapon during immediate target engagement while on the range.
(On slide #7)
(1) Presentation Drills. Once the shooter has been taught how to safely and effectively present their weapon to the target, they need to practice this skill through dry-fire.
(a) Awareness. While presenting to a target during dry-fire the shooter needs to ensure they are continuously aware of the downrange area. This will alleviate any quick presentations in the wrong direction.
(b) Safety. The safety selector lever will not be disengaged until the weapon has been orientated downrange during the presentation of the weapon.
(c) Trigger Finger. The trigger finger will remain in a straight position along the receiver until the weapon has been orientated downrange during the presentation of the weapon.
(d) Muzzle Orientation. The muzzle of the weapon needs to remain at the low alert orientated away from the legs and feet.
(e) Positive Control Of The Weapon. The shooter will always have positive control of their weapon (one hand on the weapon at all times) during the presentation.
(On slide #8)
b. During Firing. When engaging immediate targets your shooter needs follow four guidelines. Identify, present, shoot, search and asses.
(1) Identify. This guideline will ensure that your shooter identifies their intended target before presenting their weapon.
(a) Reckless Presentations. This will alleviate any reckless presentation of the weapon to the wrong target or in an unsafe direction. The shooter will become aware of their surroundings before beginning to present their weapon.
(2) Present. The shooter will effectively present their weapon after the target has been identified.
(3) Shoot. Once the weapon has been effectively presented and the sights are on the intended aiming point the shooter will fire their weapon.
(4) Search And Asses. Once the shooter has engaged their target they will search and asses for the effectiveness of their engagement on the target or for other targets.
(On slide #9)
c. After Firing. After your shooter has successfully engaged their target they need to ensure that the trigger finger is again in the straight position along the receiver, and the weapon is placed on safe.
(On slide #10)
TRANSITION: Now that we understand the safety considerations can someone tell me what the four guidelines during firing?
Answer: The four guidelines during firing are identify, present, shoot, and search and asses.
We have learned about the safety considerations now we need to cover the effects of weather.
(On slide #11)
2. EFFECTS OF WEATHER. ( 10 Min)
a. Effects Of Weather On The Shooter. The effect the wind has on the shooter depends on the velocity of the wind and the firing position. The stronger the wind, the more difficult it is to hold the weapon steady. The wind is the one weather condition that affects all shooters in the same way. However, a shooter can take measures to counter the effects the wind has on your shooters ability to fire accurately. The effect of weather on the shooter will affect them both mentally and physically.
(1) Mental Effects. The accomplishments made on the firing line and in the field stem partly from the ability to mentally adjust to unusual or adverse weather conditions in order to focus on the immediate engagement. A shooter must continually concentrate on the fundamentals of marksmanship, and must also develop mental discipline to overcome the effects of adverse weather conditions to engage the immediate target accurately.
(2) Physical Effects. Adverse weather conditions have definite physical effects on every shooter. The shooter must be prepared for the weather so that they are comfortable when shooting and must not divert attention from engaging immediate targets. As a marksmanship coach you need to ensure that your shooters are not diverting attention away from their engagement when in adverse weather conditions.
(On slide #12)
b. Effects Of Weather On The Round.
(1) Deflection. The effect the wind has on the round as it travels down range is referred to as deflection. The wind deflects the bullet laterally in its flight path to the target. It is an effect that increases with the distance to the target. During immediate target engagement the wind will not have much affect on the round due to the proximity of the engagement. Most immediate engagements are at 25 yards or less so the deflection from the wind will be very minimal.
(2) Temperature Change. If the temperature is in excess of 20 degrees higher or lower than when you obtained your BZO it will affect the impact of your shooters rounds on their intended target. Due to the proximity of this type of engagement the affect will be minimal.
(3) Water In The Barrel. If water has collected in the rifling of the barrel the first shot fired during an immediate engagement will not be accurate. Again due to the proximity of this type of engagement the affect will be minimal. After the first round is fired all the water in the barrel will be blown out and no other shots will be affected.
(On slide #13)
c. Effects Of Weather On The Rifle. The main concern that you need to stress to your shooters about how the weather will affect their rifle during an immediate engagement is the fact that it could cause the weapon not to fire. If the weapon is not properly maintained during inclement weather it can slow down the action of the weapon causing a stoppage after the shooter fires their first round. In an immediate engagement a stoppage could result in death.
(On slide #14)
TRANSITION: Now that we understand how weather can affect your shooters during an immediate target engagement can someone tell me what the one weather condition is that affects every shooter the same?
Answer: The one weather condition that affects every shooter the same is wind.
(On slide #15)
SUMMARY: (2 MIN)
Immediate target engagement is a skill that must be continually maintained in order to achieve muscle memory. When immediate targets are identified in combat the response and presentation must be instant, and this is only achieved through continuous training and developing muscle memory. Those of you with the Instructional Rating Forms please fill them out and place them at the back of the classroom.
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