Line Safety/PMI Instructor

LINE SAFETY/PMI INSTRUCTOR

SGT Shahan

NOTE: Make sure you read the notes on the bottom of each slide if applicable.

LINE SAFETY

DUTIES Ensure all shooters on firing line within your designated area are in strict adherence to commands from tower/RSO.

Act as line of communication between firing line and tower/NCOIC

Inform tower/NCOIC when line is clear or ready to go hot.

Report all issues to NCOIS/tower IE alibi shooters.

Determine if shooter meets criteria for alibi shots.

Immediate actions malfunctions and not shooting all rounds before time ran out is NOT a reason for alibi.

If multiple immediate action malfunctions are present such as all rounds fail to feed properly, that could be an alibi.

Remedial actions and critical weapons issue are alibis IE magazine fails to remain seated.

Check/score target.

Provide range feedback if properly trained.

REPEAT COMMANDS FROM RSO/TOWER.

RANGE/AMMO/TARGET DETAIL

DUTIES Target maintaince and ensure proper targets are posted IE M4/M-16 Zero target.

Watch targets and be on stand by to repair as needed.

Run ammo to Line Safeties as needed.

Ammo detail maintains record of ammo issued out.

It is NOT ammo detail’s responsibility to load magazines for shooter.

BASIC SAFETY• No one for any reason will be ahead of firing line while shooters are handling firearms.

EX- If target detail needs to go down range, Tower/NCOIC must first pull ALL shooters away from weapons.

• If new shooters need to come on firing line, pull ALL shooters back so new shooters do not muzzle flag shooters on firing line.

• There’s nothing in safety protocol that says while one half of range is shooting, other half is being cleaned just as long as brass detail is behind firing line. This is NCOIC’s call.

FIRING LINE COMMANDS (range commands MAY be altered as needed)

I have yet to find an FM/AR for verbatim range commands like in drill and ceremony.

As shooters get rodded on the line, have Line Safeties guide them all down to one end of the line and Line Safeties inform them to place weapons and gear down and step back. You can allow them to adjust sand bags or shooting blocks.

Give commands by stating who you are telling commands to like a preparatory command.

SHOOTERS step forward!

SAFETIES give me a green paddle!

SHOOTERS stand up! Etc.

Bullhorns work well but sometimes you lose voice clarity with volume or some people just don’t know how to talk into one which is why some NCO’s prefer to yell commands and have RSO’s repeat them.

FIRING LINE COMMANDSIf you can’t remember specific commands, think of the common sense way to organize and make up commands.

ORDER OF RANGE1) Find a firing point and set your gear down and identify target (Safeties should be all over this.)2) Load magazine with ammo but NOT in weapon (if needed)3) Adjust firing point and/or get into firing position/stage magazines if reloading.4) Lock, load, standby or holster/low ready if pistol range.5) FIRE!6) Call cease fire and make the firing line safe.7) Move forward and check/grade targets.8) Come back to line and have shooters take 2 steps back.9) Pull shooters off if they need to come off.10) Bring shooters on if they need to come on (do step 1)11) Make adjustments if needed.12) Start from step 2.

FIRING LINE COMMANDS (range commands MAY be altered as needed)

I have yet to find an FM/AR for verbatim range commands like in drill and ceremony.

As shooters get rodded on the line, have Line Safeties guide them all down to one end of the line and Line Safeties inform them to place weapons and gear down and step back. You can allow them to adjust sand bags or shooting blocks.

COMMANDSAfter all shooters are on a point and have their gear set down: SHOOTERS! Step forward and load magazine with 6 rounds and stand by.

SHOOTERS! Assume a good prone position and adjust gear as necessary.

SAFETIES! Give me a green/white/thumbs up when ready.

SHOOTERS! You will be firing all 6 rounds center mass of the target in front of you. Lock, load and fire.

FIRING LINE COMMANDS(range commands MAY be altered as needed)

Scan line to wait for shooters to be finished shooting.

SAFETIES! Give me a green/white paddle/thumbs up when we’re clear.

SHOOTERS! Stand up. Walk down range and check targets.

Wait about 5 minsIf you have checked your target, face up range. Is anyone zero’d? NOTE: Line Safeties confirm zero and then confirm with NCOIC who has final say.

SHOOTERS! If you are zero’d, remove your target and place your name and platoon on it. Everyone walk back up range.

FIRING LINE COMMANDS(range commands MAY be altered as needed)

Have shooters step away from weapons to clear a walking path.

SHOOTERS! If you are zero’d, step forward, secure your weapons and gear, and get rodded off the range.

NOTE: Have zero’d shooters get off range before putting new shooters on. After zero’d shooters are clear.

NEW SHOOTERS COMING ON THE RANGE! Get rodded on and head all the way down to the end of the range (line safeties will guide new shooters to fire point.Always fill from one end to the other.

After new shooters have set equipment down.SHOOTERS! Walk forward and make adjustments.

Start over.

SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS AND OTHER STUFF THAT HURTS/HELPS

SHOTSTrigger SqueezeBreathing

Position/Natural point of aim/comfort/stanceGrip

Sight picture = Alignment of front sight, back sight, eyesAnticipation of recoil

GearStrategyFatigue

ZEROINGPURPOSE:

BE ABLE TO PICK UP ANYONE’S RIFLE, FLUSH THE CURRENT ZERO ADJUSTMENTS THROUGH A

MECHANICAL ZERO, APPLY YOUR PERSONAL ZERO ADJUSTMENTS/BZO AND SHOOT IT LIKE IT’S BEEN

YOUR RIFLE SINCE TIME BEGAN.

BZOPURPOSE:

Battlesight Zero. Your personal ZERO settings you get. AKA the sum of adjustments.

MECHANICAL ZEROPURPOSE:

Restores rifle sights back to “factory settings” by essentially erasing or “flushing” the current adjustments on it.

MECHANICAL ZEROFront sight: Base of front sight post must be flush front sight assembly.

Think of it like this: If a little Leprechaun were to walk across your front sight assembly, you don’t want him to fall in the front sight post pit and get hurt! He needs you to make a level bridge so he can walk across safely.

Front sight POST

Base of front sight post

Front sight assembly

MECHANICAL ZEROFront sight: Base of front sight post must be flush front sight assembly.

Base of front sight is ABOVE Base of assembly.It’s too high!!

Might be a click too high.

Waaay too high.

Front sight looks too low.

MECHANICAL ZEROPURPOSE:

Back sight: Turn all the way to one side. Now turn all the way to the other and count the clicks.

Divide clicks in half (as much as possible) and that should perfectly center your back sight.

Sometimes around 85 clicks total and centered on 43rd.

If you have an M-16, set rear elevation to 8/3.M-4is 6/3.

Whenever you draw your rifle for live fire, you should ALWAYS mechanical zero your rifle and add your personal adjustments because you never know who’s been messing with your rifle.

It could have been loaned to another unit, someone could have dropped it in transport, or someone may just feel like being evil and messing everyone’s sights up.

WAYS TO ZEROStandard basic training center mass:

Advantage:Point of aim IS point of impact at 25/300 meters.

Disadvantage:Center of mass placement from first group/shot isn’t typically the same center of mass placement as following since placing the front sight on an EXACT center of mass EACH shot is almost impossible.

FRONT SIGHT

Impacts

WAYS TO ZEROHigh zero:Point of aim is HIGHER then point of impact.

Advantage:Can be easier to get a consistent aiming point by aligning front sight post with top of shoulders as opposed to trying to find center of mass each shot.

Disadvantage:You have to remember that your point of aim is NOT your point of impact when you shoot qual.

When doing this, you aim high and adjust low so that shots are still center mass.

WAYS TO ZEROHard line zero:Point of aim is hard lines of zero target and not target silhouette.

Advantage:Since perfect center of mass is almost impossible every time which throws you off slightly each shot, placing front sight on hard intersecting lines can give you a better point of reference for front sight placement.

Disadvantage:-RSO may think you’re a horrible shot and look at you crazy.

-Will take longer to zero because first you have to get your group ZERO’d then you have to place 5 center mass to get off range.

5 SHOT STANDARD

Find the good.Find the bad.

5 SHOT STANDARD?


5 SHOT STANDARD?


5 SHOT STANDARD?


5 SHOT STANDARD?

SHOT GROUP ANALYSISPURPOSE: DETERMINE IF WE NEED TO ADJUST THE

WEAPON OR SHOOTER.

QUESTIONS TO ASK A SHOOTER:WHERE WERE YOU AIMING/DID YOU CHANGE AIMING POINT?HOW DID THE SHOTS FEEL?DID YOU FLUSH YOUR ZERO BEFORE YOU CAME OUT?

WHAT IS MECHANICAL ZERO AND HOW DO WE GET IT?

SHOT GROUP ANALYSISQUESTIONS TO ASK A YOURSELF WHEN DIAGNOSING GROUPS:How do they usually group? Poorly? Expert?If you’re looking at second or more group, are they still consistent with prior shots?How extreme are the issues? Is it slight trigger squeeze or profound?Is it the weapon or the shooter? – Weapon is characterized by consistent tight groups that just aren’t on center mass yet. Shooter is characterized usually by shot group size inconsistency, or large groups or if it looks like you can specifically identify which fundamental they need to work on.

You CAN have issues with both weapon and shooter.NOTE: When we’re talking about “weapon” we mean the ZERO of that weapon. Typically, you make adjustments based off the center of the group.

Always give shooters positive feedback no matter what.


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

PVT SnuffyGroup 1.


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

PVT SnuffyGroup 2.


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

PVT SnuffyGroup 3.


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

PVT SnuffyGroup 4.


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

BRO, DO YOU EVEN MECH ZERO?


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?


Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

ZERO MATH

Assuming proper BZO and fundamentals are applied.

What is the ZERO for this shooter?

First group

Second group

Assuming a proper mech zero and fundamentals are applied….

IF1ST ADJUSTMENT- UP 3, LEFT 7.2ND ADJUSTMENT- UP 1, RIGHT 2.

WHY IS FINAL ZERO /BZO UP 4 AND LEFT 5?

First group

Second group

Third group

Up 3, left 5Up 2, right 1Down 7, left 6Up 8, right 1Down 1, left 2Down 4, right 5Up 1, left 1Down, 3 left 3Up 3, right 1Down 2, left 2Up 1, right 1

Think of it like positive and negative numbers.

What is final ZERO for PVT Snuffy?

Up 3Up 2Down 7Up 8Down 1Down 4Up 1Down 3 Up 3Down 2Up 1

Up 5

Up 1

Down 5

Down 2

Up 1

Up 1

Up 6

Down 7

Up 2

Up 1

Final Up/Down ZERO Adjustment is Up 1

Left 5Right 1Left 6Right 1Left 2Right 5Left 1Left 3Right 1Left 2Right 1

4 Left

5 Left

3 Right

Left 4

Left 1

Right 1

9 Left

1 Left

0

Final Left/Right ZERO Adjustment is 10 Left

Assuming proper mech zero is applied...

IF1ST ADJUSTMENT- DOWN 3, LEFT 7.2ND ADJUSTMENT- RESHOOT.3RD ADJUSTMENT- DOWN 1, RIGHT 24TH ADJUSTMENT- RESHOOT5TH ADJUSTMENT- ZERO.

WHAT IS FINAL ZERO?

First group

Second group

Third group

Fourth group

Fifth Group

Grading.

Count the hits.(see next slide)

Grading.

Count the hits. 7 out of 10.

HitHit

Hit

Hit

HitHit

Hit

Prone supported

Count the hits.

Issue?

Weapon or shooter?

Advice?Keep qualifying?

Prone unsupported

Count the hits.

Issue?

Weapon or shooter?

Advice?

20 rounds prone supported

Starting with 300 lets you shoot the smallest target with most eye relief.

OR

Starting with 50 allows you to get the quick points and spend extra time on harder targets.

Easy way to remember shots:Shoot the 50 or 300 and make pretty rainbows from left to right or right to left that way you don’t put too many in one target and not enough in another.

RAINBOW 1

RAINBOW 2

RAINBOW 3

RAINBOW 4

STRATEGY

10 rounds prone unsupported

Starting with 300 lets you shoot the smallest target with most eye relief.

Starting with 50 allows your to get the quick points and spend extra time on harder targets.

Strategy

10 rounds kneeling.

Starting with 50 allows your to get the quick points and spend extra time on harder targets.

Extra 2 shots by not trying 150 if you’re worried you didn’t hit 100’s or 50 and you DON’T need those 2 extra shots to qualify.

EX: You already made MARKSMEN but you want SHARPSHOOTER

XXX X

Strategy

PMI SET UPRIFLE/PISTOL

A big part of shooting is mind set which is why Soldier’s do so well during dry fire PMI and so poorly with live ammo.

If PMI is being done BEFORE live fire, advise against caffeinated drinks and anything that can cause dehydration and “jitters” especially for pistol since this will hurt your steady position.

REMEMBER:A qualification course is a test of marksmanship fundamentals with the goal being to score the

most points possible.Teach the course of fire and avoid talking about “combat shooting” when you’re teaching a test.

If using the 25 Meter Alt C qualification for rifles, don’t talk about point of aim/point of impact at different distances. It’s not applicable since all shots are from 25 meters just at smaller

targets.

FIRST!(If doing PMI AFTER shooter has failed to qualify) Have shooter remove all gear if

possible so they can rest/cool down while they PMI.

Go over gear placement and issues and work on fixing.

Go over strategy for qual and various positions and variations of positions.

Discussion prior to starting actual PMI/drills will allow shooter to have a longer break.

COMFORTComfort is important because it helps in follow up shots and keeping a steady position over time. For the most part, show a shooter everything and let them decide what works for them.

There IS a different between comfort and complacency.

If someone is holding a pistol in a manner that just doesn’t look right BUT they say it’s comfortable and it’s the way they’ve always shot AND they’re doing terrible then it’s time to change and break bad habits.

If something isn’t comfortable BUT it’s producing better results on target, try and encourage a shooter to go with what’s producing better shots.

COMMON GEAR COMPLAINTSACH GETS IN THE WAY OF VISION:-Have shooter tighter the straps so it sits higher or have shooters push ACH back farther while in the prone.

EYE PRO FOGS UPS/TOO HARD TO SEE:-Clear lenses.-Ensure there is enough air circulation with eye pro and eye pro isn’t stuck to the face causing moisture from heat.

PRONE NOT COMFORTABLE:-Look at body armor set up and see if any gear sticks out too far. -Empty pockets and remove pistol and holster if allowed.-Detach Camel Back/hydration from back of body armor.

HAVING PROBLEMS KEEPING RIFLE STEADY IN PRONE:-Remove lights and accessories.-Talking about using shooting block if available.

PISTOLS: How is their holster positioned?Is it too low? (for leg holsters)Too far forward or backward on waist?“The first shot is too hard!” poor trigger control.

PMI DRILLSRIFLE/PISTOL

Can be done before or after live fire.

Set up a very small target (no more bigger then a zero target, no smaller then a quarter: Zero target, coin, draw a small shape or place colored tape on vehicle.

Contrasting target colors to front sight sometimes help with sight picture. (don’t use black) Watch shooter up close from the side like grading push ups. If coaching on line, don’t worry

about where shots are being placed, worry about how their being fired. Small targets usually force shooter to take more time and concentrate.

NATURAL POINT OF AIM:Have shooter get in prone and prepare to fire.

Shooter closes eyes, takes 3 deep, relaxed, slow breaths, opens eyes. Target shouldn’t have moved. If target has moved, shooter needs to adjust positioning.

Dry fire prone drills.Place a spent case on the muzzle beak and force the shooter to slow down and concentrate.

Can also be done with a pencil/pen placed in the barrel and place a dime on it.

Fire 10 consecutive dry shots.

Do this with all positions.

Forces shooter to slow down and concentrate.

If your limited on supplies, you COULD place a quarter on the front sight. It typically won’t fall with bad trigger control but it WILL force shooter’s to concentrate which typically produces

good trigger control anyway.

TRIGGER CONTROL:Pull and hold trigger like a functions check. While holding trigger to the rear,

shooter charges rifle and gets back into prone then releases trigger for reset. After trigger is reset, shooter keeps finger on trigger and shoots again.

Explain trigger control is like having a piece of paper between the trigger and trigger finger and the shooter doesn’t want that paper to fall.

FOLLOW UP SHOTS:Teach shooter to take 2-3 shots, open and blink eyes, take a deep relaxed breath

and reengage.

TIME MANAGEMENT: Have shooter get in positions for actual time of course of fire to familiarize better

with time management. No more then 6 seconds per shot for rifle.

RECOIL ANTICIPATION:Focus on front sight. Put all mental attention on font sight placement while slowly pulling trigger.

Have shooters tell themselves the gun is empty. Shooters must convince themselves that they are still doing dry fire PMI.

PISTOL TRIGGER CONTROL:Ask who knows how to drive a manual transmission. Compare trigger control like driving a manual; shooter must

take up the dead space in the trigger before it comes to the point where the shot is ready to be fired.

Have shooters take up a two hand standing position on target and slowly pull trigger all the to the rear until it comes to the point where the hammer is about to drop, then have them SLOWLY ride trigger forward just before

the hammer is all the way forward. This will also help with the first shot from double action.This will also start to build hand strength.

PISTOL TRIGGER “TOO HARD?”THINK YOU HAVE TOO WEAK OF HANDS?

TORI NONAKA AT AGE 14 (2010)-MULTIPLE STATE LADIES/YOUTH PISTOL SHOOTING CHAMP-JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMP-USPSA NATIONAL PRODUCTION (SERVICE GUN) LADIES CHAMP-USPSA VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND LADIES PRODUCTION CHAMP

15 (2011)-MADE GLOCK SHOOTING TEAM-USPSA VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND LADIES PRODUCTION CHAMP

18 (2013)YOUNGEST USPSA NATIONAL CHAMP

LESS COMPLAINING, MORE TRAINING!

PISTOL SHOT GROUPSFor the most part, reading a pistol target is just like reading a zero target only the pistol fundamentals are easier to notice.

IDEAL/GOAL LEVEL SHOT GROUPS:0-5 YARDS

5-10 YARDS

10-20 YARDS

20-25 YARDS

26-30 YARDS

10 SHOTS2 HAND STANDING25 METERS

FIND GOOD/BAD

ADVICE?


FIND GOOD/BAD

ADVICE?


FIND GOOD/BAD

ADVICE?


FIND GOOD/BAD

ADVICE?


FIND GOOD/BAD

ADVICE?

BAD SHOOTING STANCES

Typically, the most common stance issue is shooters lean back too much because they let the recoil dictate their body and don’t adjust.

Notice how all 3 pictures have the shooter leaning back too much.

GOOD SHOOTING STANCES

Good, balanced foot placement. Good slight bend in knees. Arms have good extension but aren’t locked out.

Good arm extension.

GOOD SHOOTING GRIPS

A good grip should:1. Cover as much of both sides of the grip as

possible.2. Comfortably rest the thumbs.3. Balance the gun in the hands and assist in

keeping a steady platform.

A LOT of shooters hold pistols too lowAnd you see anoticeable gap between hand and gun. The picture on the right is how a good grip should look.

GOOD SHOOTING GRIPS

This is one way to have the thumbs. It’s fine. Thumbs are sticking out and slightly away from the pistol. This isn’t ideal but if it works for the shooter and it makes a good group leave it be.

This is another way to have the thumbs. It’s fine. Thumbs are crossed.

I’ve seen a lot of shooters place their support hand index finger in front of the the trigger guard. I don’t understand this but there’s nothing wrong with it. I will say I’ve never seen a national shooting champion shoot that way but to each their own if it works.

BAD SHOOTING GRIPS

Yes. I have seen these on the range.

“Cup and saucer.” This is only being supported by about one and a half hands instead of two hands.

CLEANING:1) Lay out a BIG work space.2) Disassemble rifle. 3) Soak outside and inside (guards, grips, sights, EVERYTHING) with M-Pro 7 and put Break

Free/CLP on metal friction points like the bolt group.4) Let it sit for 5 mins.5) Wipe down and use at least a half box of a big box of q-tips on detail cleaning.6) Assemble, function check, set aside.7) Repeat 2-6 with pistol.8) Repeat 2-6 with rifle for second pass.9) Repeat 2-6 with pistol for second pass.10) Request inspection/turn in.

Lengthy process typically ensures Soldier’s have greater attention to detail since entire weapon is literally dripping with cleaner. Can cut down on multiple attempts for Soldier to ask for inspection and keep Soldier busy while leader’s can focus attention on other tasks and Soldier’s.

Documents

Line Safety/PMI Instructor