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[QUOTE=Peregrino]Training question - You appear to be in a position to talk to the troops regularly. Do any of them actually take the time to adjust their rear sight for range when the bullets are flying? (I won't even ask about the Aimpoints.)
It depends on the individual and his level of confidence. 3/2 SBCT was located in Mosul and vicinity. 1/25th SBCT replaced 3/2 SBCT in the same areas. Most (not all) battalions are in urban areas. 2/14 CAV out of 1/25th SBCT is in a much more open area.
The guys I spent time with and are / were in the urban areas have no need to hold over or adjust elevation so I can't say if they would or wouldn't given other circumstances. The guys I have spent some time with out of 2/14 CAV hold over or adjust sights depending on how much time they have.
1/25th SBCT took care in the training of thier machinegunners and it is somewhat natural for them to elevate for longer ranges providing there is a need to do so. Remember that most of the 249s and 240s use an ALCAN optic that has stadia for estimating ranges and holds. If you are in a city, take it off and go with the irons. If in the open areas -- zero it and the good machinegunners will use it as it is designed. This scope has its good and bad points but it is much better than the irons for mid to long range machinegunning as the gunner can actually see something past 300 for a change.
One thing I will assure you is that most of the guys I have spent time with will in fact 'call' their shots -- even under the most deadly of conditions. This I know for a fact having talked over things with them. I never really asked them why they thought this was important but just accepted that they thought it was important. I figure that a guy who trusts his calls will almost instantly correct an error even under extreme stress -- thus ensuring he gets a solid hit with follow on shots.
I stress calling shots from shot one taken under any condition. I have my reasons and apparently these guys used their calls as some sort of confidence foundation that allowed them to do quite well under extremely deadly situations. This calling shots in close combat did take me by surprise but apparently they did just that.
I zero guys up on a KD range at 300 yards. I don't trust reduced range zeros worth a damn and given I have a KD range -- it is easier for me to get a real zero at the real range. I will go past 300 with the service rifle or carbine providing I am confident the guys will do well. I don't think spending a bunch of time with them at 500 has any real value in terms of combat situations but I will do so to instill confidence in the men that their sights and rifle will do the job there. Only when I am convinced they will do well though. I never train to failure with marksmanship -- only success. I use a KD range for what it can give us. Then I use other ranges for what they can give us.
Gene
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