Project Appleseed

Army Reserve Marksman
New Small Arms Qualifications
Posted: 19 Mar 2019 07:55 AM PDT
#RoadtoAwesome #KeepPounding #AmericasArmyReserve #USArmyReserve

Change is coming. The U.S. Army Reserve needs to prepare now.

https://www.army.mil/article/218407/new_marksmanship_test_aims_to_create_more_realistic_environment

While it hasn't received as much attention as the new Army physical fitness evaluation, the 40 targets on the rifle marksmanship range are also about to be engaged in a more combat-focused manner.

The U.S. Army released a set of Training Circulars that redacted the previous doctrine and established a new way to teach small arms skills. That was back in FY2016. If you or other Army personnel are still discussing "four fundamentals", using silhouette targets for zeroing, and not implementing a Shot Process with a Peer and/or Experienced Coach, you're three years behind the power curve.

This new doctrine is also redacting old qualifications with a more difficult and realistic course. TC 3-20.40 is pending publication and it revamps all individual weapon qualifications. Another Training Circular soon to follow will do the same with crew-served weapons.

The Army Reserve Marksmanship Program has already created material to help. The Army Reserve Marksman newsletter (https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/ARMU/Resources/ARMnews/) has article discussing this new doctrine. The World-wide Chief, Army Reserve Postal Matches (https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/ARMU/Resources/PostalMatch/) has courses that can be conducted during routine group/zero and qualification without additional resources, making it an easy, fast, inexpensive, and effective way to practice the new doctrine and prepare for the new qualification.

Download the current Training Circulars (https://armypubs.army.mil/)and prepare today.

Thank you for sharing, sir.

I down loaded and printed the targets they are  comparable in size to the AS targets a bit taller the instructions indicate that other than what they call stage 1 400 yards you may not start with your arm in the sling loop or hasty.

I will give it a run next time I get out to the range.

it only takes 33 rounds to complete.

all but the 400 yard stage require a reload from a mag carried in a pocket or load bearing gear and all stages start round in chamber safety on transitions from a standing low ready

The authors include an active duty former Appleseed Instructor.

Quote from: TrapperPete on March 28, 2019, 01:13:14 AM
I down loaded and printed the targets they are  comparable in size to the AS targets a bit taller the instructions indicate that other than what they call stage 1 400 yards you may not start with your arm in the sling loop or hasty.

TrapperPete, I'm curious where you saw the "can't start with your arm in the sling loop or hasty". I downloaded the usar-postal-match-eic.pdf document and it says: "Start position: Prone supported position in condition Red (charged magazine in place, chamber loaded, safety on "SAFE") with nine rounds loaded. At the command to fire engage each target with three rounds each. Targets may be engaged in any order. A sandbag may be used and/or the magazine may touch the ground and/or sandbag for support. A loop or tactical sling may be used and it can be adjusted and fit during the preparation period before the command to fire is given."  (bold added). 

I only had time to skim the articles, admittedly.  I have downloaded them and will be reading in detail.  Very interesting stuff. 

my mistake I miss typed that it was stage 1 400 yard  the no sling looped or around your arm is stage  2, 3 and 4 course of fire instructions https://www.usar.army.mil/Portals/98/Documents/Marksmanship/usar-postal-match-eic.pdf?ver=2018-11-07-044840-173

"a sling may be used , however it can NOT be looped on or around the arm before the command to fire is given." stage 2 300 yards , 3 200 yards and stage 4 100 yards


their stage 1 their 400 yard prone stage you may start in a sling.

the stages being backwards to ours goofed me up I think stage 1 100 yards not stage 1 400 yards.

guess you could say I have been appleseeded .

Looks interesting to try.

As compared to the AQT, the somewhat lower round counts, with proportionally lower time limits, make mag change skills more significant. For example, on the 100 yard standing stage, 30 seconds to fire six shots is not unreasonable. But there's a mag change in there, and anyone who fumbles with those is going to suffer. Also, not being able to put mags on the deck would probably make this stage more sensitive to what gear you are using.

The targets overall look a little more difficult, which is nice for shooters who know what they are about since it's hard to measure your progress with the difference between 235 and 240. Stage 4 may be easier, though ... the army evidently doesn't expect soldiers to be able to make unsupported 400 yard shots.

I like it.  It's more conducive to field style shooting than our current methods... i.e. stowing mags on one's person instead of on the ground, and not starting slung up.  I love the targets that encourage targeting the upper half of the torso.  The Army has made some real strides in improving and modernizing their marksmanship instruction.  I think we could take some cues.

Quote from: TrapperPete on April 08, 2019, 05:59:25 PM
my mistake I miss typed that it was stage 1 400 yard  the no sling looped or around your arm is stage  2, 3 and 4 course of fire instructions https://www.usar.army.mil/Portals/98/Documents/Marksmanship/usar-postal-match-eic.pdf?ver=2018-11-07-044840-173

"a sling may be used , however it can NOT be looped on or around the arm before the command to fire is given." stage 2 300 yards , 3 200 yards and stage 4 100 yards


their stage 1 their 400 yard prone stage you may start in a sling.

the stages being backwards to ours goofed me up I think stage 1 100 yards not stage 1 400 yards.

guess you could say I have been appleseeded .

Heh.  Thanks for the clarification!  I'd wondered if I was looking at the same article or had missed something.  Thanks!