Military

Chapter 1

Introduction

Future battles will be mobile and violent, with emphasis on rapid fire capability, increased speed, and maneuverability. To defeat the threat and survive on the battlefield, light cavalry crews must be well trained and prepared to take maximum advantage of these capabilities.

To defeat the threat force, light cavalry crews must have a thorough knowledge of their functional capabilities, use of indirect fire, techniques of acquiring targets, and effective use of all crew-served weapons. Additionally, light cavalry crews must develop and sustain tactical crew skills that will allow them to maneuver effectively and survive on the battlefield. This combination of crew gunnery and tactical skills is essential for total weapon system proficiency.

Purpose

The gunnery tactics, techniques, and procedures in this manual are unique to light cavalry units. This manual describes system features, engagement techniques, preliminary gunnery training, gunnery skills tests, gunnery tables, and qualification standards. When the procedures in this manual conflict with technical manual procedures, the technical manuals should be followed.

This manual is intended to be a guide; units may modify the gunnery program to meet local training constraints. Gunnery tables are prepared for live fire, MILES, engagement skills trainers (EST), and other training devices. Training devices may not be used on qualification tables. Units must evaluate training to make sure it follows the building-block principles and adheres to sound training policy.

Scope

This manual outlines light cavalry gunnery tables designed to attain and sustain gunnery proficiency at crew through section levels. It consists of 13 chapters and 4 appendixes.

The first 11 chapters provide combat training principles, techniques, and exercises for light cavalry crews. Light cavalry gunnery and tactical skills are discussed in detail to promote uniformity and maintain high standards of proficiency. Proper application of these techniques will ensure the most effective use of the weapon system in training or in combat. Descriptions include how to--

• Detect, acquire, identify, and classify targets.
• Select the correct round of ammunition to match the target.
• Use direct-fire techniques.
• Operate machine guns (an explanation of their functions and role during direct-fire engagements is included).
• Develop a light cavalry gunnery training program.
• Establish new training sites for light cavalry combat training.

The remaining chapters include the light cavalry gunnery tables for the M2 HB caliber .50 machine gun, the MK 19 40-mm grenade machine gun, and the TOW weapon system; the scout section tables; the tasks, conditions, and standards for the scout section gunnery skills test and the TOW section gunnery skills test; scout section gunnery tactical tasks; and information about the engagement skills trainer.

The tactical tasks outlined in Appendix C are used with the scout section tables (advanced gunnery tables) in Chapter 13. Integration of the tactical and gunnery tasks maximizes the training effectiveness of the tables. The relationship between gunnery and tactics is shown in the following table: