1. Principles of Instruction.—The instruction of recruits in aiming and firing should be carried out on a systematic method. The progression of training must in every case lead by gradual steps from simple to more difficult stages. Instructors must necessarily teach by explanation to some extent, but they must limit explanation to short and very clear statements, and rely chiefly upon practical demonstration for training their men. With regard to results they must aim at insuring accuracy in every stage of training before they permit men to attempt rapidity. Any sacrifice of accuracy for rapidity must be guarded against carefully and corrected at once. Short daily lectures, followed by questions to test the knowledge of men, should form part of the scheme of instruction.
2. Progression of Instruction in Aiming and Firing.—The progressive stages of instruction in aiming and firing are set out in a definite order in this and the following chapter which deal respectively with these subjects. Instructors, however, are not bound to follow this order, and may modify it at their discretion.
3. Concurrent Instruction in Aiming and Firing.—Aiming instruction should proceed simultaneously with firing instruction and muscle exercises to develop speed and facility in handling the rifle and steadiness in firing it. The following scheme of concurrent instruction in aiming and firing is suggested for the guidance of instructors, who may modify it at their discretion:
| Aiming | Firing |
| A. | A. |
1. Aiming at bull’s-eye target with the foresight and backsight. 2. Explanation of trajectory and the need for elevation by sighting. 3. Laying an aim with Legret Aim-Teacher.[8] 4. Rules of aiming. 5. Common faults in aiming and their results. 6. Aiming at bull’s-eye target from a rest. 7. Test of aim by triangle of error. 8. Aiming at figure targets and at ground. | 1. Correct position for firing standing. 2. Practice in loading and unloading in standing position. 3. Adjustment of sights and standard tests of same. 4. Trigger-pressing and adjustment of sights with rifle rested. |
| B. | B. |
9. Aiming practice (a) atbull’s-eye and (b) figure targetswith (i) rifle rested, (ii) rifleunsupported.[9] 10. Test of aim by aiming-disc. 11. Aiming and trigger-pressingcombined, practised witheye-disc or aim-corrector. 12. Practice in firing atbull’s-eye target on miniaturerange and 30-yards range. | 5. Practice in assuming thedifferent firing positions withstandard tests of same. 6. Practice in combiningaiming with trigger-pressing. 7. Practice in muscle exercisesin the standing and lyingfiring positions. |
| C. | C. |
13. Explain influence of sidewind. 14. Explain aiming-off forwind, and wind table for 500yards. Apply tests in aiming-offfor wind. 15. Explain aiming-off formovement. Practise same onminiature range and checkwith aim-corrector. | 8. Practice kneeling andsitting firing positions, andtaking cover in these positions. |
| D. | D. |
16. When accuracy in deliberatefiring at elementary andservice targets is assured, explainthe nature and practicalvalue in warfare of snapshootingand rapid firing. 17. Practise gradually quickeningthe aim with aiming-disc,and on miniature and 30-yardranges. Apply grouping andapplication tests. | 9. Practise firing over andround cover in various firingpositions at elementary andservice targets. |
| E. | |
18. When the recruit has shown proficiency in grouping,deliberate firing, and snapshooting, on the miniature, 30-yard,and open range, explain and practise adjusting long-range sights. 19. Practise aiming from a rest at figure targets and ground. 20. Practise snapshooting and rapid fire at figure targets andground on miniature, 30-yard, and open range. 21. Practise aiming-off for movement at figure targets onminiature range. Note.—(1) Ample time should be devoted to trigger-pressingand declaring the point of aim on discharge. This instructionmay conveniently be given indoors. (2) The aiming position should not be taught until aiminghas been taught. (3) Aiming and trigger-pressing should not be combined untiltrigger-pressing has been taught. (4) The test for trigger-pressing should not be applied untilafter the lying position has been taught. (5) The miniature range may be used when assurance ofreasonable proficiency has been ascertained by means of theaiming discs. (6) The 30-yards range with service ammunition may be usedwhen the results on the miniature range are satisfactory. (7) Grouping on the open range may be commenced when therecruit is able to make good groups on the 30-yards range. | |
4. Selecting Rifles for Recruits.—(i) Before the instruction of recruits in aiming and firing commences they must be fitted with rifles having long, normal, or short butts, according to the build and preference of the men. The choice should be made after tests carried out in the standing and lying positions, and should be based on the readiness with which the firer brings his rifle up to the firing position, and aligns his sights without letting his nose and mouth come into close proximity to the thumb and fingers of the right hand.
(ii) The principal consideration is the distance of the nose from the shoulder, and it is as a rule the broad-shouldered and long-necked men that require the long butts. A bad trigger release, due to incorrect holding of the small of the butt, will often result from the use of too short a butt. The butt selected should be the shortest which can be used comfortably when firing, both standing and lying down, in the correct positions. These rules for fitting rifles of course apply also to non-commissioned officers.
5. Sights.—Special care must be taken that the sights of any rifle used in aiming instruction are in perfect order. Instructors must inspect the sights frequently to insure that they are correctly adjusted in accordance with his orders.
6. Appliances for Aiming and Firing Instruction.—(i) The following appliances will be needed by instructors:
(a) Diagrams showing position of sights correctly and incorrectly aligned.
(b) The Legret aim-teacher.
(c) Aim-corrector.
(d) Aiming-disc.
(e) Aiming-rest.
(f) Firing-rest.
(g) Charger and dummy cartridges.
(h) Measuring rings [see Sec. 49, para. 6 (xi)].
Note.—The method of using the aim-teacher, aim-corrector, and aiming disc, and grouping gauges is described in the Appendix. Aiming- and firing-rests are described in “Musketry Regulations,” Part II.