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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REGIMENT

SP&SVC BN
TRAINING COMPANY

Lesson 6
Firing Drills

Preliminaries: NSP’S – Inspection - Number Squad – Indicate

Areas – Double Bank

Revision – Holding, Aiming Firing in the Lying Position

INTRODUCTION
A soldier is required to produce different types or fire on orders from his Section
Commander, or on his own initiative. He must be familiar with these types of fire
and when to use them in order to apply effective fire against the enemy with the
minimum waste of time and ammunition.

TYPES OF FIRE

Explain
a. The types of fire used in battle are:
1. Deliberate – Used when firing at ground features such as indistinct
enemy position indicated by flashes or observed by smoke. Used also
when firing at longer ranges.
2. Snap shooting – Intermittent firing at enemy who expose themselves for
short periods only.
3. Rapid Fire – Quick firing for varying periods at well-defined targets at
short ranges.

READY AMMUNITION

Explain
a. In battle the soldier normally carries five (5) full magazines; one (1) on his rifle
and the other four (4) in his pouches. An additional two (2) is kept in the company
reserve.
b. The soldier is also issued with a bandolier containing a fifty (50) round belt which
is worn slung over his equipment. This is reserved for the section GPMG or for
refilling magazine during any lull in battle.
c. The soldier may also have some tracer ammunition for use in target indication.

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Confirm by questions

DELIBERATE FIRE

Explain & demonstrate. Order ‘Load’, ‘Down’, ‘Ready’ or give a range.

a. On the command ‘Fire’, put the safety catch to ‘R’ and aim.
b. Fire and follow through as taught and in training declare the shot.
c. Lower the rifle and observe.
d. Go on firing at the deliberate rate, which is about five (5) rounds a minute. Keep a
count of the number of rounds left in the magazine at all times.
e. On the command ‘Stop’ lower the rifle put the safety catch to ‘S’ and if necessary
change magazines. Fasten the pouch each time.
f. On the command ‘Go on’ push the safety catch to ‘R’ and go on firing.

Confirm by practice. Order ‘Make Safe’

SNAPSHOOTING
Explain
Firing at targets which show themselves for short periods only is called snap shooting.
Snap shooting is similar to deliberate shooting except that the soldier speeds up his
actions and reduces the interval between shots. There may be less time for correct breath
restraint, but the principles must be followed as closely as possible.

Explain and demonstrate: Order ‘Down’, ‘Ready’, or give a range.

a. The alert position is adopted on the command ‘Watch & shoot’ and is a good
position to maintain whilst the soldier is observing his arc. There may be
occasions when the indication is such that the soldier may observe through the
sights. To adopt the alert position, push the safety catch to ‘R’, bring the butt into
the shoulder with the flash suppressor pointing downwards and watch the target
area.
b. On the command ‘Watch & shoot’ adopt the alert position.
When a target appears, restrain the breathing, aim and fire quickly but with
accuracy.
Continue to fire until the target falls or goes to cover; stop firing but be ready to
fire again.
Actions on the command ‘Stop’, ‘Go on’ and the need for counting rounds are as
in deliberate fire.

Confirm by practice. Order ‘Make Safe’

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RAPID FIRING

Explain
Firing a number of quick shots is called rapid fire. It is similar to snap shooting, except
that the soldier may fire more rounds. With practice, he will be able to fire twenty (20) or
more accurate shots at different targets in a minute.

Explain and demonstrate

a.On the command ‘Rapid’, put the safety catch to ‘R’, aim and watch the target area.
b.On the command ‘Fire’ fire as quickly as possible with accuracy. Change to a fresh
target as each one falls.
c.It is important in rapid fire to try and fire with rhythm. This will enable breath
restraint, aim perfection, trigger operation and follow through to be performed in
their correct sequence. Alternatives to breath restraint as previously taught are:
1. Very shallow breathing between shots for the periods of rapid fire.
2. Breath restraint covering the release of two or three shots provided that it
does not cause strain.
d.Adjust the position for each target engaged and go on firing until there are no more
targets at which to fire.
e.Actions on the command ‘Stop’, ‘Go on’ and the need for counting rounds are the
same as in deliberate fire.

Confirm by practice

CONCLUSIONS

End of Lesson Drill:

a.Question from the squad on the entire lesson.
b.Confirm by question and practice as time permits.
c.Safety precautions
d.Pack kit
e.Summary. To include the following:
1. The importance of applying the sequence of firing a shot to all types of
firing.
2. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson in this subject.

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