(ii) Those men who are not actually engaged in firing should receive instruction in ground reconnaissance, use of the eyes, use of field-glasses, range-finding, and description of ground, while waiting behind the firing-point.
12. Field-Glasses.—Field-glasses or telescopes will be carried by all officers and section commanders. The men should be encouraged to use them during spare time on the range.
13. Condition of Sights.—The sights will be used as issued, without alteration of any kind. They may not be blackened; the browning is renewed by an armourer when required. No additions, marking, or colouring, are permitted, nor are orthoptics allowed.
14. Observation Practices.—The change which takes place in conditions of shooting when there is no signalling of each shot is not always appreciated, and it is essential that the importance of the first application of fire should be realized. Troops, therefore, which are unable to fire field practices should fire some at least of the instructional practices without signalling. Such practices are called “observation practices.” The targets should be placed on the face of the stop-butt or at the foot of the gallery-bank, and may with advantage be falling or collapsible targets.
15. Precautions.—To guard against accidents, the following orders will be observed:
(i) No firing will take place until a large red danger-flag is hoisted on the signal-staff at or near the butts, and the necessary look-out men posted.
(ii) A smaller red danger-flag will be hoisted at the butts as a warning to cease fire. This flag will remain exposed during the entire period of cessation of fire, and will not be withdrawn until the whole of the butt party is under cover. No one will leave the butts until cessation of fire has been notified from the firing-point.
(iii) A red flag will be kept raised at the firing-point when no firing is taking place, and will be lowered only on the order of the senior officer. This order will not be given until the flag at the butts has been withdrawn.
(iv) Aiming or snapping during target practice may only take place from the firing-point after the red flag has been lowered.
Section 59.—Surplus Ammunition and Computation of Averages.
1. Surplus Ammunition.—The rounds shown as “surplus” in Tables A and B will be distributed primarily by commanding officers for the following purposes:
(i) Repetition firing, as prescribed in the tables.
(ii) Fifteen rounds per man to be expended by company commanders for further training of indifferent shots.
(iii) The further training of recruits.
(iv) Fire-direction practices.
(v) The testing of rifles when necessary.
(vii) Occasional shots on the rifle-range (Sec. 58, para. 8).
(vii) Ten rounds per man who commences the course for voluntary practice.
(viii) Any surplus available after the above requirements have been fulfilled will be distributed to companies for general practice. It is not to be used for practice for competitions.
2. Computation of Averages.—The best shot of each squadron or company will be determined by his aggregate score in Part III. Averages made by companies in each of the classification practices will be calculated to one place of decimals, and published in regimental orders. Only the scores of those officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who completed a practice will be included in the numbers by which the total points made in that practice are divided. Points made by casuals (see footnote to Sec. 63) will be included at the end of the year, and fresh averages struck. The sum of the averages of the practices of Part III. will be termed the “company average” in classification practices.