UNITED24 - Make a charitable donation in support of Ukraine!

Military

APPENDIX C

PROFICIENCY (PERFORMANCE) EXAMINATION

This appendix provides the examination used to test soldiers' proficiency with the M203 grenade launcher in dry-fire tasks.

C-1.  DESCRIPTION

The examination is a practical nonfiring exercise given during the last period of M203 training before range firing. Trainers need not conduct this examination on a range and may conduct it indoors if facilities are available. Soldiers must demonstrate proper techniques for the following tasks:

a.  Perform general disassembly and assembly.

b.  Set the sights.

c.  Identify five standard types of 40-mm ammunition and their purposes.

d.  Load, unload, and place the M203 grenade launcher on SAFE.

e.  Apply immediate action.

C-2.  CONDUCT OF EXAMINATION

This paragraph explains how to conduct the examination. The suggested times may help the commander plan the examination.

a.  Equipment. The following equipment is required to conduct the proficiency examination:

(1)   Tables. At station 3, set up one table for every three soldiers being tested. At each of the other stations, set up only one table. Ensure every table has an ample supply of paper and pencils.

(2)   Setups. At each station, prepare one "setup" for each soldier to be tested. A setup consists of everything one soldier needs to complete the task for that station.

(3)   Weapons. Except at station 3, include one M203 grenade launcher in each setup.

(4)   Dummy Ammunition. Provide twelve rounds of dummy ammunition for each setup at stations 1 and 2 and one round of dummy ammunition for each setup at stations 4 and 5. Station 3 does not require dummy ammunition.

b.  Time Allocation. Time required for the examination should not exceed 3 1/2 hours if allocated as follows:

.  15 minutes total for the orientation, instructions, breakdown, and movement.
.  30 minutes at each of the five stations (total of 2 l/2 hours).
.  Two 10-minute breaks (20 minutes).
.  Five 5-minute movement periods (25 minutes).

C-3.  STATIONS

Five subjects and stations are recommended for this proficiency examination. This paragraph describes each station and its requirements. Figures containing the score sheets follow at the end of this appendix.

a.  Station 1--Perform General Disassembly and Assembly.

(1)   Prepare one setup for each soldier to be tested. Each setup should include one M203 grenade launcher with its breech closed and its safety on SAFE. Place each weapon on a mat to keep its parts free of dirt.

(2)   Trainers should read the following statement:

During this period, you will be organized into three groups and required to disassemble and assemble the M203 grenade launcher. There will be one grader for every two weapons. You will have 8 minutes to complete the general disassembly and assembly. If you have any trouble, raise your hand and the grader will assist you. When your group is not being tested, remain to the rear of the station with your back toward the working area until your group is called.

(3)   Trainers use the checklist shown in Figure C-1 to grade individual performance.

(4)   After each group is tested, trainers assemble the soldiers they graded and critique them thoroughly (for about 5 minutes).

b.  Station 2--Set the Sights.

(1)   Prepare one setup for each soldier to be tested. Each setup should include one M203 grenade launcher with its breech open and its safety on SAFE. Place each weapon on a mat to keep its parts free of dirt.

(2)   Trainers read the following statement:

During this period, you will be organized into three groups and required to set the quadrant and sight leaf for range and windage. There will be one grader for every two weapons. You will have 4 minutes to set each sight. If you have any trouble, raise your hand and the grader will assist you. When your group is not being tested, remain to the rear of the station with your back toward the working area until your group is called.

(3)   Trainers use the checklist shown in Figure C-2 to grade individual performance.

(4)   After each group is tested, trainers assemble the soldiers they graded and critique them thoroughly (for about 5 minutes).

c.  Station 3--Identify Five Standard Types of 40-mm Ammunition and their Purposes.

(1)   Prepare one table for every three soldiers. Each soldier's setup should consist of ample paper and pencils.

(2)   Trainers read the following statement:

During this period, you will be organized into three groups and required to identify five standard types of 40-mm ammunition and their purposes. There will be one grader for every two tables. You will have 10 minutes to complete the task. If you have any trouble, raise your hand and the grader will assist you. When you are not being tested, remain to the rear of the station with your back toward the working area until you are called.

(3)   Trainers use the checklist shown in Figure C-3 to grade individual performance.

(4)   After testing each group, trainers assemble the soldiers they graded and critique them thoroughly (for about 5 minutes).

d.  Station 4--Load, Unload, and Place the M203 Grenade Launcher on SAFE.

(1)   Prepare one setup for each soldier to be tested. Each setup should include one dummy round and one M203 grenade launcher with its breech closed and its safety on FIRE. Place each weapon on a mat to keep its parts free of dirt.

(2)   Trainers read the following statement:

During this period, you will be organized into three groups and required to load, unload, and place the M203 grenade launcher on SAFE. There will be one grader. You will have 2 minutes to complete the task. If you have any trouble, raise your hand and the grader will assist you. When your group is not being tested, remain to the rear of the station with your back toward the working area until your group is called.

(3)   Trainers use the checklist shown in Figure C-4 to grade individual performance.

(4)   After testing each group, trainers assemble the soldiers they graded and critique them thoroughly (for about 5 minutes).

e.  Station 5--Apply Immediate Action.

(1)   Prepare one setup for each soldier to be tested. Each setup should include one dummy round and one M203 grenade launcher with its breech open and its safety on SAFE. Place each weapon on a mat to keep its parts free of dirt.

(2)   Trainers read the following statement:

During this period, you will be organized into three groups and required to apply immediate action. There will be one grader. You will have 2 minutes to complete the task. If you have any trouble, raise your hand, and the grader will assist you. When your group is not being tested, remain to the rear of the station with your back toward the working area until your group is called.

(3)   Trainers use the checklist shown in Figure C-5 to grade individual performance.

(4)   After testing each group, trainers assemble the soldiers they graded and critique them thoroughly (for about 5 minutes).

STATION 1

CHECKLIST
Clear the M203 grenade launcher:
  1.  Cock the weapon, observe for extraction, place the safety in the safe position, inspect the breech, and return the barrel to the FIRE position.

Disassemble the M203 grenade launcher:
  2.  Remove the quadrant sight.
  3.  Pull back the slip ring. Lift up on the handguard and pull it to the rear to remove it.
  4.  Press the barrel latch and move the barrel forward to the barrel stop.
  5.  Unlock the opening of the M203 grenade launcher barrel.
  6.  Press the barrel stop to release the barrel from the receiver and remove the barrel.

Assemble the M203 grenade launcher:
  7.  Replace the barrel, press the barrel stop, and slide the barrel into the receiver.
  8.  Move the barrel rearward to close it.
  9.  Replace the handguard and secure it with the slip ring.
  10.  Replace the quadrant sight.

Perform a function check on the M203 grenade launcher:
  11.  Cock the launcher and pull the trigger. Hold the trigger to the rear and cock the launcher again. Release the trigger and then pull it. Check the safety in both SAFE and FIRE positions. Check the leaf sight windage adjustment screw and the function of the barrel latch.

Figure C-1. Station 1--Perform general disassembly and assembly.

STATION 2

CHECKLIST

Set first sight:

  1.  Place the sight in an upright position.
  2.  Index the windage scale.
  3.  Index the elevation adjustment screw.
  4.  Tighten the elevation adjustment screw.
  5.  Assume a prone supported position.
  6.  Set the sight for the range given and align the sight with the target.

Set second sight:

  1.  Ensure the sight is correctly mounted.
  2.  Open the front sight post and rear sight aperture.
  3.  Align the rear sight aperture with the index line.
  4.  Move the front sight post to its highest position; then move it back 2 1/2 turns.
  5.  Assume a supported prone position.
  6.  Set the sight for the range given and align the sight with the target.

Figure C-2. Station 2--Set the sights.

STATION 3

CHECKLIST

  1.  Identify an M433 high-explosive dual-purpose round and state its purpose.
  2.  Identify an M406 high-explosive round and state its purpose.
  3.  Identify an M781 training practice round and state its purpose.
  4.  Identify an M583A1 star parachute round and state its purpose.
  5.  Identify an M713 ground marker round and state its purpose.

Figure C-3. Station 3--Identify five standard types of
40-mm ammunition and their purposes.

STATION 4

CHECKLIST

Load the M203 grenade launcher:

  1.  Open the breech and place the weapon on safe.
  2.  Insert a 40-mm round into the chamber.
  3.  Close the breech and ensure it locks.

Unload the M203 grenade launcher:

  4.  Depress the barrel latch and open the breech.
  5.  Hold one hand under the barrel to catch the extracted round.
  6.  Place the weapon on safe.
  7.  Slide the barrel to the rear to close the breech.

Figure C-4. Station 4--Load, unload, and place the
M203 grenade launcher on SAFE.

STATION 5

CHECKLIST

  1.  Load the M203 grenade launcher and try to fire.
  2.  Announce a misfire and keep the weapon pointed at the target.
  3.  Wait 30 seconds and clear the area before trying to unload the weapon.
  4.  Use extreme caution during unloading.
  5.  Determine whether the primer is dented (round is at fault) or not (firing mechanism is at fault).

Figure C-5. Station 5--Apply immediate action.



NEWSLETTER
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list