The M16 Qual Course

USMCWeapons.com

A New M16A2 Qualification Course

My Experience

The past several years have been a time of change for the Marine Corps, with the addition of martial arts, new utility uniforms, and especially new weapons and battlefield technology. One thing that has not changed is the M16a2 service rifle known distance qualification course (or KD course) of fire.

This course of fire has not evolved to meet the needs of the Corps. It is still only a basic evaluation of the Marine's ability to apply the fundamentals of marksmanship. Even though the scoring is less like a competition rifle shoot, now more aligned toward the hit or miss mentality similar to a combat situation, it still fails to test the Marine's ability to effectively engage a target.

As I look at the rifle range, I only see a tool for beginning marksmanship training. What I don't see is a course of fire that will instill in Marines the ability to effectively hit a limited exposure target from multiple shooting positions at various covered locations on the battlefield. This is what we need because this is how we are employed.

There is a third phase to Marine Corps Marksmanship training, which in the past, has seemed to answer the call of tactical shooting, but it too is lacking. This phase of training provides the Marine with limited exposure shooting from both strong and weak sides, using multiple shooting positions. Truly, this is more in line with what I would prefer to see, but it still does not use covered positions, nor is the Marine's score used for any purpose.

I have created, run and supervised many ranges in my career. My experience leads me to believe that we need to move toward something along the lines of the Army's M16 qualification course, without the limitations. I would not replace the KD course of fire for basic training, but I would restructure the annual qualification course, creating a range that would truly measure the Marines ability to effectively hit the target, while providing practical battlefield shooting techniques.

Opportunities for Improvement

Looking at rifle marksmanship in general, it is important to instill and test the Marine's ability to apply the fundamentals of marksmanship. Stock weld, eye relief, relaxation, breath control, trigger pull, and sight alignment, and picture are some of the basics taught to Marines as they use the M16 for the first time. This is especially important because most of the men and women that are transformed into Marines have not only never properly received training on rifle marksmanship, most have not fired a rifle at all.

In creating a new range, I have considered the possibility that perhaps this range is not for all Marines. It is possible that some would say it is only necessary for the front-line Marines to fire on such a range. Infantry units would bear the brunt of this training, as they already receive specialized training that enables them to function in the battlefield. But I do not believe this line of thinking is correct.

I strongly believe that all Marines are basic riflemen, no matter their military occupational specialty (MOS). I would gladly create a Corps-wide mantra, as I believe all Marines must have the same base of measure. [It would play havoc on the cutting score if only the infantry had to use this range for score.] But if we really needed a catalyst for Corps-wide adoption, I would point to the example the Army's 507th Maintenance Company has provided.

Although they were a support company, several members, of which Jessica Lynch is most well known, were taken as prisoners of war (POW). With the fast paced movement of the front lines, passing and leaving potential enemy positions on their way toward their objective, support units must be able to defend themselves. They are just one of many examples out there of support units that should have known how to effectively employ the basic weapons which they carried.

A Marine's Opinion

Below, I have outlined what I consider to be something along the lines of more realistic training. My range consist of 20 more rounds then what we currently fire; so it will cost more to fire. It uses the same positions that we use on the KD range today, with the exception that they would be used behind a covered position. I have added two more yard lines, at 50 and 100 yards; which would cause additional berms to be built. I have also kept the 500-yard line, but added the reality twist of a less time, and shots from the kneeling position.

	Range	Position		Stance	Exposure	Rounds	Target
Semi-slow fire	50 M	Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	Standing	5 Sec	2	E
			to	*Kneeling	5 Sec	2	E
Rapid fire			to	*Kneeling	15 Sec	6	E
					Round total	10

Semi-slow fire	100 M	Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	Standing	5 Sec	2	E
			to	*Kneeling	5 Sec	2	E
			to	**Prone	2 exposures, 10 seconds each	2	D
Rapid fire			to	***Kneeling	60 Sec	4	E
					Round total	10

Semi-slow fire	200 M	Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	Stand	5 Sec	3	E
			to	*Kneeling	5 Sec	3	E
			to	**Prone	4 exposures, 10 seconds each	4	D
Rapid fire			to	*Kneeling	60 Sec	10	E
					Round total	20

Semi-slow fire	300 M	Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	Stand	10 Sec	3	E
			to	*Kneeling	10 Sec	3	E
			to	**Prone	4 exposures, 10 seconds each	4	D
Rapid fire			to	***Kneeling	60 Sec	10	E
					Round total	20

Semi-slow fire	500 M	Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	*Kneeling	5 exposures, 10 seconds each	5	E
		Patrol "Ready" or "Alert"	to	**Prone	5 exposures, 10 seconds each	5	E
					Round total	10
	Total rounds for per person					70

*Kneeling = Kneeling behind a covered position. Could be rubble, could be rough terrain, could be tree stumps.
**Prone = Prone behind cover. Could be micro terrain, could be existing range berm, could be sandbags, or rubble. Once down, the shooter would stay down for the following shot(s).
*** Rapid Fire = 5/5; time would include magazine change.

"It's too tough," and "The ranges aren't designed for this type of shooting," are amongst some of the complaints I expect to hear. To answer those two issues right off, first I would say that it's not too tough. Marines will perform to the standard that we put before them, just like they always have. Sure, the transition would initially be bumpy, but it will smooth out quickly. The benefit is that this range really helps prepare Marines for the type of shooting they will encounter in war, unlike our current KD range.

Secondly, the idea that the ranges aren't designed for this type of shooting, I would say, "So design them!" It is really a simple matter of either using the existing terrain on the range for covered positions, such as behind the existing berms, or adding some sandbags, or cinderblocks to the ranges. If there is concern about hitting the cinderblocks or sandbags while on the range, I would merely point out the other shot-up range gear, such as the towers, benches, and garbage cans, and put that question to bed.

We need a new KD range. We need one that tests the Marines in such a way that we not only know that they can perform on a good day, but also teaches them the skills that will make them better at effectively engaging targets and keeping themselves alive during war.

I would like to hear your suggestions and comments about this range. Tell me what you like, what you don't like and why. Give me some good data to back it up, or perhaps you think it is "just too hard?"

Range comments

The KD Range From the 500 Yard Line

The author calls commands for the M16 qualification course of fire.