Marksmanship Training

BASIC
MARKSMANSHIP
REFERENCES
• PAM 3 – 01 Infantry Operations Manual
• Philippine Army Hand Book
• Military Science 1 Manual
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
• Definition of Terms
• Fundamentals of Marksmanship
• Components of Integrated Acts of Shooting
• Phases of Aiming
• Elements of Correct Sight Picture
• Factors that affect holding a rifle steady
• Standard Firing Position
• Marksmanship Principles
• Coach and pupil method
• Range safety precautions
1. Definition of Terms
A. Marksmanship
Is the basic step in training the soldier to employ
successfully the pistol or the rifle in combat.
B. Marksmanship Training
Is the technique of teaching of personnel on how to fire
the weapon accurately and employ it in combat.
2. Fundamentals of Marksmanship
• Aiming - aim the rifle by aligning the sight system.
• Holding - proper breathing, holds breathe at any part of
breathing cycle.
• Positions - steady position to allow observation of target.
• Trigger Control - Trigger squeeze, movement of finger can

disturb lay of the rifle.
3. Components of Integrated Acts of Shooting:
A. Aiming - In aiming the firer is concerned with correct pointing
his pistol or rifle so that the projectile will hit the target when
he fires. To do the aiming, we must have the rear sight
blade and the target or aiming point in their proper
relationship known as the correct sight picture.
B. Steady Hold Factor - is the technique of holding a weapon

as steady as possible while aligning the sight in firing the
weapon.
4. Phases of Aiming
A. Relationship between the eye and the sight
- The placement of the eye is called eye relief. Proper eye
relief subject or minor variation is approximately 7.5 cm (3
inches). The best method of fixing eye relief is with the spot
weld. (Position of the neck).
B. Sight Alignment - is the relationship between the front sight
and the rear sight with respect to the firer’s eye.
C. Sight Picture - is obtained when the front sight and rear

sight are properly aligned to the target and aiming point is the
correct relationship to the front sight blade.
D. Breathing and Aiming Process - takes a normal breath, let
part of it and hold the remainder by closing the throat. We
should not hold our breath for more than approximately ten
(10) seconds, otherwise, our vision may begin to blur and ling
strain may cause muscular tension. Here also it must be
emphasized that you must hold your breath while pulling the
trigger.
E. Aiming Practice - is conducted before firing live rounds.
During day firing, the soldier should practice sight alignment
and placement of the aiming point.
5. Elements of Correct Sight Picture

A. Sight Alignment - the top of the front sight blade is exactly
in the center of the rear sight aperture. You can insure that
focusing your eye on the front sight blade through the
indistinct of fuzzy appearing rear sight aperture.
B. Aiming Point - is the target on which you are aligned your
sight.
6. Factors that affect holding a rifle steady:
A. Grip of the left hand
B. Rifle butt in the pocket of the shoulder
C. Grip of the right hand
D. Right elbow
E. Spot weld
F. Breathing
G. Relaxation
H. Trigger Control
• Trigger Control - is the independent of the forefinger on the
trigger pulling, it straight to the rear with uniformly increasing
pressure until the weapon fired.
• Uniformly increasing pressure of trigger control:
A. Taking up the slack
B. Increasing the pressure
C. Maintaining the pressure
• Trigger Operations
A. Firm grip of the right hand must be taken up on the first
trigger pressure.
B. Index finger touches trigger will using the first joint.
C. Regulate breathing, the target sight and eye are in line,
holding your breath a second then release the trigger
finger again.
• Indication of improper trigger control:
A. Flinching- this is the firer reaction of the anticipated recoil
of the exploding round.
B. Bucking- this is an attempt by the firer to take-up the recoil
just before the weapon fires by tensing his shoulder
muscles and moving the shoulder forward.
C. Jerking - this is an attempt by the firer to make a rifle fire
at a certain time by rapidly applying pressure on the
trigger.
• Type of trigger for rifle 5.56 mm M16A1
A. Semi automatic fire trigger control

B. Automatic fire trigger control
7. Standard Firing Position:
A. Prone Position - this position presents a low silhouette and
easily adopted for the use of cover and support.
B. Kneeling Position- this position are suitable for use at live
ground that slopes gently upward.
C. Standing Position - this position is used in the assault to

engage surprise target and when no other position can be
used.
D. Foxhole - this position is used whenever prepared positions are
available.
E. Squatting Position- this position is an excellent position to be
used in a mud, shallow water or contaminated area. It is used
on level ground that slopes gently downward. (for flexibility, both
feet must be on the ground).
8. Marksmanship Principles
A. Position and hold must be firm enough to support the
weapon.
B. Weapon must point naturally at the target
C. Controlled breathing
D. Correct sight picture
E. Trigger release
F. Follow through
G. Calling the shot
• Follow through - is the continued mental and physical

application of the fundamental after each round has been fired.
9. Coach and pupil method - the coach and pupil method of
instruction is peculiarly applicable in training marksmanship. By
working in pairs when receiving an instruction, each man of the
team is enabled alternately to learn while acting as coach and
watching the action and correcting the mistakes of his partners
and then performing exercise himself as pupil. Each man is also
permitted to rest periodically without halting the progress of his
training. In order to receive maximum benefit from the coach and
pupil method of instruction, each man must understand thoroughly
its purpose and his individual responsibility both as coach and
pupil. This method of the instruction is used throughout all phases
of marksmanship training wherever applicable.
10. Range safety precautions
A. The bolt of all rifles must be opened always.
B. All loading and unloading is executed on the firing line with the
muscle of the rifle or pistol pointing towards the target. Strictly
no loading behind the firing line.
C. No weapon is loaded until the command load is given.
D. All firing must be controlled by signal, commands will be given
by the designated Range Officer/NCO. Do not fire until the
command fire is given.
E. At the command “CEASE FIRE” all trigger finger must be
automatically removed from the trigger and shift to safe.
F. No weapon is to be removed from the firing line until it has
been expected to see to it that it is clear with ammo and safely
lever at safe, bolt must be open always.
G. No person is allowed beyond the firing line for any reason for
purpose. No weapons carried in front of the firing line.
H. After firing, place the selector lever at safe, remove magazine
and always keep the bolt open.
I. In case of malfunction or alibi, do immediate actions or
remedial actions, which make the barrel pointing to the
target. If failed, raise hand, but alibi to assisted by the DI or
COACH.
J. Anyone observing an unsafe act will immediately call
“CEASE FIRE”.
H. Consider the rifle or pistol LOADED at all time, even in the
break areas. Never point the pistol or rifle to anyone you
do not want to hurt
FOR CALL .45 PISTOL
A. Never place a loaded magazine in the automatic pistol nor

load the revolver until you have taken your place at the
firing point.
B. Always remove the magazine and unload the pistol before
leaving the firing point.
C. Always hold the loaded pistol at the position of raise pistol,
except while aiming.
D. When firing ceases temporarily, lock the piece and hold it at
raise pistol. Do not assume any position except raise pistol
without first removing the magazine and unloading.
E. If one or more cartridges remain unfired at the end of a
timed - fire, sustained - fire, or quick - fire score, remove
the magazine and unload immediately.
F. The range will be kept thoroughly policed at all times. The
officer-in-charge of firing will inspect to insure the empty
cartridge cases and unfired round are separated from each
other and from all trash. Further, he will insure that all
empty cartridges cases and unfired round are turned into
the range or Supply Officer immediately upon completion of
the day’s firing.

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BASIC

• Trigger Control - Trigger squeeze, movement of finger can

B. Steady Hold Factor - is the technique of holding a weapon

C. Sight Picture - is obtained when the front sight and rear

5. Elements of Correct Sight Picture

• Type of trigger for rifle 5.56 mm M16A1

A. Semi automatic fire trigger control

C. Standing Position - this position is used in the assault to

• Follow through - is the continued mental and physical

A. Never place a loaded magazine in the automatic pistol nor

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