Posted on May 25, 2015
Running a Rifle Qual or Zero Range: Secrets? Best Practices? Lessons Learned?
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In my time in the Army, I've seen different leaders run their ranges differently--some more safely, effectively, and efficiently than others.
Having lead and participated in several AARs, usually it isn't until conclusion of a range operation that many insightful comments come out....that a good leader will take note of and apply to future operations.
What specific things have you done and/or learned while you were tasked with running a rifle range (zero and/or qual)?
What was your role? (OIC, NCOIC, AI, Tower, etc...)
What went well?
What went not-so-well?
Tell us about the "best" and/or "worst" range that you ran, and what deliberate planning steps and actions made it that way.
I know this is leadership-101, but I think it is important that EVERYONE in any sort of position knows EXACTLY what is expected of them and that they know HOW to execute that expectation. I like to utilize back-briefs, return demonstrations, etc.
Having lead and participated in several AARs, usually it isn't until conclusion of a range operation that many insightful comments come out....that a good leader will take note of and apply to future operations.
What specific things have you done and/or learned while you were tasked with running a rifle range (zero and/or qual)?
What was your role? (OIC, NCOIC, AI, Tower, etc...)
What went well?
What went not-so-well?
Tell us about the "best" and/or "worst" range that you ran, and what deliberate planning steps and actions made it that way.
I know this is leadership-101, but I think it is important that EVERYONE in any sort of position knows EXACTLY what is expected of them and that they know HOW to execute that expectation. I like to utilize back-briefs, return demonstrations, etc.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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the voice of Reason has started typing, so read with caution. 23 years of military service and about 15 more of shooting...i don't remember pulling the trigger the first time...I have shot all my life. Qualification is for promotion points and familiarization of the weapon systems. When I zero my hunting rifle, I don't wear all my hunting gear, I am comfortable and relaxed as I am trying to get my rifle to hit where I put the front site post and then the cross hairs... What says that you can't adjust your rsik assessment to have your Soldiers on the Zero and Qualification range take their Armor off? Yes, you will have to have more safety officers, and people watching, but if you want to get the best out of the qualifiation and zero range, make it easy for the Soldiers to get behind the weapon, lay prone and engage the targets. They don't need all the BS gear. They are not being shot at...
"We train as we fight First Sergeant"....yeah I heard that too. Qualification is not training, it is qualification. If we train as we fight, take the APFT in boots, IBAs, Ballistic Helmets, goggles, gloves and weapons...that is how we fight, Correct?
What I did was tell the Soldies to take their shit off. Put their patrol cap on, ear plugs in and wear eye pro. Now let's shoot these damn targets and ensure that your weapon hits where you point it given the best possible situation. Once we are qualified, oh, yeah, we gonna put our stupid shit back on and go train. We have reflex fire ranges, combat ranges and kill houses, but qualification....lets get down and be comfortable and get the folks familiar with their weapon and sure of their ability to hit the targets.
"We train as we fight First Sergeant"....yeah I heard that too. Qualification is not training, it is qualification. If we train as we fight, take the APFT in boots, IBAs, Ballistic Helmets, goggles, gloves and weapons...that is how we fight, Correct?
What I did was tell the Soldies to take their shit off. Put their patrol cap on, ear plugs in and wear eye pro. Now let's shoot these damn targets and ensure that your weapon hits where you point it given the best possible situation. Once we are qualified, oh, yeah, we gonna put our stupid shit back on and go train. We have reflex fire ranges, combat ranges and kill houses, but qualification....lets get down and be comfortable and get the folks familiar with their weapon and sure of their ability to hit the targets.
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What I like is when you can run the zero range and qual range at the same time. Of course, this is manpower intensive and can't always be done. I have done it twice in my career and it seems to work the best.
The reason it works so good is that you can have those soldiers that suck at zeroing practice all day long and not hold anyone else up. They get all the coaching they can get from the NCOs each time they go up to zero. Same goes for those that can zero good but choke on qualifying. They get the coaching needed from the NCO instead of being rushed to zero and than rushed to qualify.
For those that don't suck at neither, they zero, qualify, clean weapon, go home. Just a more efficient way to me.
The reason it works so good is that you can have those soldiers that suck at zeroing practice all day long and not hold anyone else up. They get all the coaching they can get from the NCOs each time they go up to zero. Same goes for those that can zero good but choke on qualifying. They get the coaching needed from the NCO instead of being rushed to zero and than rushed to qualify.
For those that don't suck at neither, they zero, qualify, clean weapon, go home. Just a more efficient way to me.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see),
I have seen this done, and it seemed to work well, especially for the reasons you mentioned.
Now, when running the zero and qual ranges simultaneously, are you talking about have only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO for BOTH ranges? or...would both ranges have separate OICs/NCOICs/RSOs?
When I ran a zero range, once, for a BN consolidated range operation, the qual range ran simultaneously...but, both ranges had their own key leadership....
Not sure if you have seen both ranges run, simultaneously, with only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO (I am trying to picture it, but I could see alot of challenges/safety issues not being addressed if both ranges were run simultaneously with only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO...)
I have seen this done, and it seemed to work well, especially for the reasons you mentioned.
Now, when running the zero and qual ranges simultaneously, are you talking about have only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO for BOTH ranges? or...would both ranges have separate OICs/NCOICs/RSOs?
When I ran a zero range, once, for a BN consolidated range operation, the qual range ran simultaneously...but, both ranges had their own key leadership....
Not sure if you have seen both ranges run, simultaneously, with only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO (I am trying to picture it, but I could see alot of challenges/safety issues not being addressed if both ranges were run simultaneously with only one OIC/NCOIC/RSO...)
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SFC (Join to see)
It all depends on range setup and range ops SOP. The ones I have ran was both ranges had to have there own OIC/NCOIC. I have ran one where the OIC/NCOIC ran both. It is challenging but doable. As long as everyone on the range detail knows and understands their duties than it runs smoothly. Key to running both is doing a rehearsal with everyone involved.
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SFC (Join to see)
Plus, the range we ran both on was really small, 10 firing lanes for both qual and zero. It wasn't hard to watch and control the range.
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Successful range ops start with the planning. I've taken those with no experience and had outstanding results. As previously stated the 8 step training model is the best foundation IMHO. Rehearsals, PMI, EST and on sight concurrent training. Start with the basics. If you have the opportunity to staff cadre with experienced individuals then you are all the better. Also I recommend keeping a Range continuity book complete with all your working copies and drafts with closure reports, stars and AAR's.
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CPT (Join to see)
Couldn't agree more about planning, SFC (Join to see).
I've been known to invest a substantial amount of time into planning.
I guess what drives me has been the desire to use any semblance of authority I do have to exercise as much 'control' over things as I can. I've seen a few officers/SNCOs get fried for not taking the necessary time to ensure things are planned correctly. I tend to go a step further...planning contingencies, and contingencies to those contingencies. Some would argue that 'over-preparing' could be just as detrimental to mission success as 'under-preparing', but I would rather 'over-prepare' and have everyone return home alive and in one piece.
I've been known to invest a substantial amount of time into planning.
I guess what drives me has been the desire to use any semblance of authority I do have to exercise as much 'control' over things as I can. I've seen a few officers/SNCOs get fried for not taking the necessary time to ensure things are planned correctly. I tend to go a step further...planning contingencies, and contingencies to those contingencies. Some would argue that 'over-preparing' could be just as detrimental to mission success as 'under-preparing', but I would rather 'over-prepare' and have everyone return home alive and in one piece.
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SFC (Join to see)
The problem I have found is that some SENIOR NCOs bring bad habits to the range. Then the Range OIC (usually a young LT) learns those bad habits and it is perpetuated. What I expect from my OIC is well executed MDMP, a plan briefed to the Commander with an attainable goal. Then as the IPR and ROC Drill is done, refinement of the plan the oversight of execution. Let the NCOs lead the training. Inject the authority when necessary and be the C2. As long as accountability of troops and equipment are maintained and safety is a prpriority, then the team of cadre will get better. The NCOIC must let the OIC be the OIC and vice versa.
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