Military

APPENDIX B

PROFICIENCY (PERFORMANCE) EXAMINATION

     The proficiency examination determines whether the soldier can perform
     all the tasks taught in the dry-fire training. This appendix provides a
     guide for administering the examination to automatic riflemen.

B-1. DRY-FIRE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION

The examination is a practical nonfiring exercise given during the last period of the M249 AR block of instruction before range firing. It does not have to be conducted on a range and may be held indoors if there are available facilities. The soldier must demonstrate techniques for the following tasks:

• General disassembly and assembly.

• Loading and unloading.

• Immediate action and remedial action.

• Field zeroing.

• Engagement of a linear and a deep target.

B-2. CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATION

The commander can use the following schedule or modify it to fit his unit's training.

• Orientation, instructions, breakdown, and movement--15 minutes.

• Five stations--30 minutes each.

• Two breaks--10 minutes each.

• Four movement periods--5 minutes each.

• Total time--3 hours and 25 minutes.

B-3. STATION 1: GENERAL DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY

This station normally has 11 setups. Each setup has one M249 AR with cover feed mechanism assembly raised, bolt forward, and safety on the FIRE position. This is placed on a mat to keep the parts free of dirt.

a. The following statement should be read at this station.

DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO THREE GROUPS AND REQUIRED TO DISASSEMBLE AND ASSEMBLE THE M249 AUTOMATIC RIFLE. THERE WILL BE ONE AUTOMATIC RIFLE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL AND ONE GRADER FOR EVERY TWO AUTOMATIC RIFLEMEN. EACH GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED FOUR MINUTES TO COMPLETE GENERAL DISASSEMBLY AND FOUR MINUTES FOR ASSEMBLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE, RAISE YOUR HAND AND THE GRADER WILL ASSIST YOU. THE TWO GROUPS NOT BEING TESTED WILL REMAIN TO THE REAR OF THE STATION WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE WORKING AREA UNTIL THEY ARE CALLED.

b. A scoresheet, like the example in Figure B-1, should be used in grading individual performance.

Figure B-1. Example Station 1 scoresheet.

B-4. STATION 2: LOAD AND UNLOAD TH E M249 AR

This station normally has 11 setups. Each setup has one M249 AR.

a. For the first step, the grader should ensure that any procedures that must be conducted by the automatic rifleman are not set up for easier accomplishment. He is required to use either the belted or magazine ammunition. The second step should be the same as the first, except the automatic rifleman will unload the weapon.

b. The following statement should be read at this station. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO THREE GROUPS, AND YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOAD AND UNLOAD THE M249 AUTOMATIC RIFLE. A GRADER WILL CHECK AND SCORE YOUR PROCEDURES. YOU WILL BE ALLOCATED A FOUR-MINUTE WORK PERIOD AT THIS STATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE, RAISE YOUR HAND AND THE GRADER WILL ASSIST YOU. THE TWO GROUPS NOT BEING TESTED WILL REMAIN TO THE REAR OF THE STATION WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE WORK AREA UNTL THEY ARE CALLED.

c. A scoresheet, like the example in Figure B-2, should be used in grading individual performance.

Figure B-2. Example Station 2 scoresheet.

d. As each group completes this station, each grader should assemble the individuals he graded and give them a thorough critique (6 minutes).

B-5. STATION 3: IMMEDIATE ACTION AND REMEDIAL ACTION

This station normally has six setups. Each setup has a cleaning rod and a bipod-mounted M249 AR with bolt forward, cover feed mechanism assembly closed, and safety on FIRE position.

a. The grader should ask the individual to perform immediate action as he would if a round were in the chamber.

b. The following statement should be read at this station. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO FIVE GROUPS AND REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS OF IMMEDIATE ACTION AND REMEDIAL ACTION WITH THE M249 AUTOMATIC RIFLE. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED FIVE MINUTES. IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE, RAISE YOUR HAND AND A GRADER WILL ASSIST YOU. THE GROUPS NOT BEING TESTED WILL REMAIN TO THE REAR OF THE STATION WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE WORK AREA UNTIL THEY ARE CALLED.

c. A scoresheet, like the example in Figure B-3, should be used in grading individual performance.

Figure B-3. Example Station 3 scoresheet.

d. As each group completes this station, each grader should assemble the individuals he graded and give them a thorough critique (5 minutes).

B-6. STATION 4: FIELD ZEROING

This station normally has six setups. Each setup has an M249 AR and a cleaning rod.

a. Each grader should tell the individual the range (300 meters) to the target and have him simulate firing a three-round burst. The grader will then tell the individual what windage corrections are needed to hit the target. The automatic rifleman will then be graded on his actions.

b. The following statement should be read at this station. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO FIVE GROUPS AND REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS OF ZEROING AT LONG RANGE. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED FIVE MINUTES TO EXPLAIN AND PERFORM YOUR ACTIONS TO THE GRADER. IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM, ASK YOUR GRADER. THE GROUPS NOT BEING TESTED WILL REMAIN TO THE REAR OF THE STATION WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE WORK AREA UNTIL THEY ARE CALLED.

c. A scoresheet, like the example in Figure B-4, should be used in grading individual performance.

Figure B-4. Example Station 4 scoresheet.

d. As each group completes this station, each grader should assemble the individuals he graded and give them a thorough critique (5 minutes).

B-7. STATION 5: ENGAGEMENT OF A LINEAR AND A DEEP TARGET

This station normally has six setups. Each setup should have a punchboard-type training aid or a blackboard and chalk.

a. The individual is required to show his initial point of aim, direction of manipulation, and extent of manipulation for a linear (single automatic rifleman) and a deep target (automatic riflemen employed in pairs). The individual is also asked what rate of fire he would use to engage these targets if the rate were not stated in the fire command.

b. The following statement should be read at this station. DURING THIS PERIOD, YOU WILL BE ORGANIZED INTO FIVE GROUPS AND REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN HOW TO ENGAGE DIFFERENT TARGETS WITH THE AUTOMATIC RIFLE EMPLOYED SINGLY AND IN PAIRS. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED FIVE MINUTES FOR SIMULATED ENGAGEMENT OF TWO TYPES OF TARGETS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ASK YOUR GRADER. THE GROUPS NOT BEING TESTED WILL REMAIN TO THE REAR OF THE STATION WITH THEIR BACKS TOWARD THE WORK AREA UNTIL THEY ARE CALLED.

c. A scoresheet, like the example in Figure B-5, should be used in grading individual performance.

Figure B-5. Example Station 5 scoresheet.

d. As each group completes this station, each grader should assemble the individuals he graded and give them a thorough critique (5 minutes).