Objective: Students will discuss and demonstrate individual firing positions and how to determine an individual's natural point of aim (NPA).

Transcription

1 Positions 1

2 Objective: Students will discuss and demonstrate individual firing positions and how to determine an individual's natural point of aim (NPA).

3 Positions The Soldier must stabilize their weapon, whether firing from a stationary position or while on the move. To create a stabilized platform, Soldiers must understand the physical relationship between the weapon system, the shooter s body, the ground, and any other objects touching the weapon or shooter s body. The more contact the shooter has to the ground will determine how stable and effective the position is. The situation and tactics will determine the actual position used. 2

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5 Support Support can be natural or artificial or a combination of both. Natural support comes from a combination of the shooter s bones and muscles. Artificial support comes from objects outside the shooter s body. The more support a particular position provides, the more stable the weapon. Bone support is inherently more stable than muscular support because while muscles will fatigue, bones will not. There are 8 key factors of support which aid in providing a stable firing position: Leg Position Stance/Center of Gravity Firing Elbow Nonfiring Elbow Firing Hand Nonfiring Hand Butt Stock Stock Weld

6 Leg Position The position of the legs varies depending on the position. When standing unsupported, the body is upright with the legs staggered and slightly bent. When prone, the legs are spread apart and flat on the ground, or bent at the knee. When sitting or kneeling, the legs may serve as an intricate part of the support.

7 Leg Position - Prone

8 Leg Position - Kneeling

9 Stance/Center of Gravity The physical position of a Soldier before, during, and after the shot that relates to the firer s balance and posture. The position/center of gravity does not apply to the prone position. The position/center of gravity specifically relates to the Soldier s ability to maintain the stable firing platform during firing, absorbing the recoil impulses, and the ability to aggressively lean towards the target area during the shot process.

10 Elbows Firing Elbow - The placement of the firing elbow during the shot process. Proper elbow placement provides consistent firing hand grip while standing, sitting, or kneeling, and provides support stability in the prone position. Nonfiring Elbow - The Soldier s placement of the nonfiring elbow during the shot process supports the rifle in the all positions. In the prone, both elbows should lay where they are comfortable to the shooter while still adding stability. In the kneeling, the nonfiring side elbow should rest on the nonfiring leg in front of or behind the knee. There should be no bone on bone contact. The firing side elbow should hang down without using any muscular support.

11 Elbows

12 Hands Firing Hand - Proper placement of the firing hand will aid in trigger control. Place the pistol grip in the V formed between the thumb and index finger. The pressure applied is similar to a firm handshake grip. The trigger finger is placed outside the trigger guard and away from the magazine release to prevent accidental release of the magazine. The thumb is placed on top of the safety selector switch. The Soldier grasps the pistol grip with the remaining three fingers ensuring there is no gap between his middle finger and the trigger guard. Nonfiring Hand - Proper placement of the non-firing hand is based on the firing position and placement of the non-firing elbow to provide the stability of the weapon. The nonfiring hand is placed as far forward as comfortable without compromising the other elements of the position.

13 Hands

14 Butt Stock and Stock Weld Butt Stock - Correct placement of the buttstock in the shoulder will aid in achieving a solid stock weld. The butt stock is placed high enough in the shoulder to allow for an upright head position. As you assume different positions, the position of your butt stock will change. Generally, the higher off the ground, the higher the butt stock will be in the shoulder. This is because when in the prone the head is generally at the same height as the shoulders, while in the kneeling or standing the head is above the shoulders. Stock Weld - Stock weld is the placement of the firer s head on the stock of the weapon. Correct stock weld is critical to sight alignment. The firer rests the full weight of the head on the stock. The head position is as upright as possible to give the best vision through the aiming device.

15 Butt Stock and Stock Weld

16 Prone Unsupported The magazine can be rested on the ground while using the prone unsupported position. Firing with the magazine on the ground will NOT induce a malfunction.

17 Prone Supported

18 Kneeling