Tag Archives: army rifle training

That TC 3-20.40, though

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You know this target. The necessary evil that is the 25 Meter Alternate Course “C” target:

25 Meter Alternate Course C

Used a lot (especially in the Guard and Reserve) across the Army, the idea is that this bad boy, when shot at 25M, keeps those with M16s/M4s up to date on their rifle qual out to 300M. While it is better than nothing, it is really lackluster as a training tool and gauge of a rifleman’s skill. Its only saving grace is that it can be used on small (pistol) ranges, which are far more common than a nice 300M+ rifle range, with a minimum of range control support, thus giving Joes something better than just holding a FATS/EST trainer and listening to the sound of compressed air.

The good news is that the 25M ACT is headed on its way out the door (to some degree), replaced by the new TC 3-20.40 training strategy for the rifle, carbine, and automatic rifle qualification. A video from Ft. Benning covers the new course, below. While it is a little dry, it is still interesting and a welcome change.

Army getting serious about their 11B series

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It looks like Big Green is pumping up training not only in Basic (marksmanship training is moving from 500-rounds/83 hours to 600 rounds/92 hours to include the use of co-witnessed iron sights and the Aimpoint M2/M68 close combat optic) but also in One-Station Unit Training for Infantry as well.

In 2019, the U.S. Army will extend OSUT at Benning for Infantry Soldiers from 14 weeks (a standard they have had since 1974) to a whopping 22 weeks.

Changes to the program are meant to increase Soldier readiness, making them more lethal and proficient before they depart for their first duty assignment, according to the Infantry School commandant, Col. Townley R. Hedrick.

Big changes include a full 40-hours for combat lifesaving, a week of land nav (up from a day), use of the ACOG and PSQ-20 NVG to include day/night quals, 40 hours of combatives (up from 22), more reaction drills, more MOUT, a 16-mile road march (up from 12), more crew-served weapon time, lots more maneuver training in small units among other things.

In short, the Army is getting closer to the model the Brits have used for generations. At Catterick, all Tommies run a 26-week course (28 weeks for the Paras or Guards).

Army BCT now returning to iron sight training

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For years, the Army has focused on using ACOGs in basic training. But now, with increasing use and threats of a future battlefield that will be more geared to EW/ECM, training with co-witnessed irons will be given. This, of course, means more hours and rounds.

According to Military.com:

In the past, new soldiers in BCT shot 500 rounds and received 83 hours of marksmanship instruction over a 16-day period. The redesigned standards have soldiers shooting 600 rounds and receiving 92 hours of training.

More here.