[1347]. To make of ORGANIZATIONS pliable, manageable MACHINES, capable of delivering in battle a volume of EFFECTIVE fire. This is accomplished by collective training and instruction, in which a number of soldiers (for example, a squad, platoon, or company), under command of a leader, fire, under assumed tactical situations, at targets which simulate the appearance of an enemy under conditions approaching those found in war. This kind of training and instruction is called, "Combat practice."
In combat practice the individual is trained in firing as part of a tactical unit,—that is to say, in coöperation with others,—and the commanders of the tactical units are taught how to direct and control the fire of their units,[18] obtaining the maximum efficiency of fire by coördination of the skill and efforts of all the individuals of the unit.
PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION
[1348]. The following outline of the program of instruction gives a sort of bird's-eye view of the system:
| 1. INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION | ||
| 1. Sights and Sighting. | (a) Theory of sighting. (The trajectory; The line of sight; Sighting or aiming.) | |
| (b) Kinds of sights. (Open; Peep; Battle.) | ||
| (c) Kinds of sight. (That is, amount of front sight taken.) (Normal; Fine; Full.) | ||
| 2. Preliminary drills. | (a) Sighting drills. (Importance and purpose; Point of aim; Triangle of sighting.) (Verifying the triangle; causes of errors.) | |
| (b) Position and aiming drills. (Objects [3]; Position exercise; Aiming exercise; Trigger-squeeze exercise; Rapid-fire exercise; Kneeling, sitting down, and prone.) | ||
| (c) Deflection and elevation correction drills. | ||
| 3. Gallery practice. (Object and importance.) | ||
| 4. Range practice. (Instruction practice; Range practice.) | ||
| 5. Other Instruction. (Use of sling; Designation of winds; Zeroof rifle; Estimating distances [with the eye, by trial shots, and by trialvolleys]; Wind; Temperature; Light; Mirage; Care of rifle, etc.) | ||
INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION
Sights and Sighting
Theory of Sighting
[1349]. The trajectory. As the bullet passes through the air it makes a curved line something like this: