RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP: Department of the Army Field Manual FM 23-71, July 1964

1. Purposea. This manual provides training guidance in developing and maintaining the rifle marksmanship proficiency of the individual soldier and is applicable to both nuclear and nonnuclear warfare.b. Users of this manual are encouraged to submit recommended changes or comments to improve the manual. Comments should be keyed to the specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which the change is recommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding and complete evaluation. Comments should be forwarded direct to the Commandant, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga.2. ObjectivesThe objectives of the United States Army rifle marksmanship program are:a. To develop in every soldier during basic combat training:(1) The confidence, will, knowledge, and skills required to fire a rifle and hit enemy personnel in combat.(2) The ability to apply correct techniques of rifle marksmanship when functioning as an individual in a fire unit engaged in combat.b. To insure that every soldier maintains a continuing degree of proficiency in combat rifle firing, consistent with the mission of the unit to which he is assigned.c. To provide in time of peace a broad base of shooters from which potential precision marksmen can be selected and further trained to successfully compete in interservice, civilian, and international competition, and in time of war to provide an instructor base or cadre for sniper training if it is required.3. ScopeThis manual contains detailed information on conducting training in fundamentals of individual rifle marksmanship, battlesight zero, field firing, target detection, record firing, individual night firing, and sniping. Information on the mechanical operation, functioning, and nomenclature of rifles may be found in the field manuals appropriate to the particular weapon (app. I).4. Rifle Marksmanship Training CoursesIn order to provide maximum flexibility in accomplishing the overall objectives of the United States Army rifle marksmanship program, several marksmanship courses have been developed. These courses can be broadly divided between those designed for active duty personnel and those designed for members of the reserve components. Within each of these categories, there are several distinct courses of instruction, each tailored for specific range facilities and/or the experience level of the soldiers receiving the training. The requirements and a synopsis of instruction for each course are outlined in appendices III and IV. The courses of fire outlined in this manual will not be changed except by permission of the Commanding General.Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTIONCHAPTER 2. RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP FUNDAMENTALSCHAPTER 3. SIGHT ADJUSTMENTS, BATTLESIGHT ZERO, AND PROGRESS CHECKSCHAPTER 4. FIELD FIRINGCHAPTER 5. TARGET DETECTIONCHAPTER 6. RECORD FIRINGCHAPTER 7. INDIVIDUAL NIGHT FIRINGCHAPTER 8. ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL MARKSMANSHIP (SNIPING) Read more