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The Aiming Position. The instructor will illustrate how, by bringing the left elbow well forward, the rifle can be readily brought into the shoulder without unnecessary movement. The common fault of the eye being too near cocking-piece can be checked by (a) lying less obliquely, and thereby advance the right shoulder; (b) raising the body by means of the elbows; (c) drawing back the chin; (d) placing the butt closer in the chest and slightly higher than usual. The Kneeling Position. Points to be observed : (a.) That the left knee is in advance of the foot, to enable the firer to get closer to cover; it also facilitates a ready advance. (6.) The left leg, hand, and arm, and the right shoulder, should be in the same vertical plane when firing in the open. Firing from Cover. Isolated cover —lie with legs straight. Continuous cover —lie obliquely. Firing round cover —the rifle to rest against the side of the cover for steadiness and minimum of exposure. Exposure is greater firing over cover, but the results are better. Muscle Exercises. The muscle drills are the correct exercises necessary to harden those muscles used when firing, and so enable the men to stand the strain and fatigue imposed during rapid fire for long periods. The exercises should be practised for a few minutes after each drill. Provided the recruit has reached a satisfactory standard in aiming, and in holding his rifle firmly while pressing the trigger, he may now begin a course of firing. Attention is drawn to section 73, paragraph 351, Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909, on the " Elementary Training of Trained Soldiers," where it says that " elementary training should be continued throughout the year." Grouping. A test for consistency of aim and trigger-pressing. The grouping practice to be repeated until the standard is reached. Application. When a recruit has shown by the result of his grouping to have acquired sufficient skill in aiming and trigger-pressing, he will be instructed in applying his shots to a definite mark. This form of practice, in which aiming or sighting is altered as may be found necessary, is called " application." (Section 78, paragraph 368, Musketry Regulations, Part I, 1909, and the special instructions for carrying out the practice.) Classification Practices. The above should be fired during a favourable time of the year for individual firing. With the exception of those who are exempted by the Regulations, every man on the strength of his unit will be classified at or before the end of the year. Conduct op Range Practices. Commanding officers will cause such orders to be framed as local conditions necessitate to ensure safety, and will arrange that copies are always available during practice. Officers superintending on the mounds or at the butts must make themselves acquainted with their respective duties, as a precaution against accident. (See Musketry Regulations.) Individual and Collective Field Practices. Simple musketry problems, carried out under as near as possible practical conditions. Accuracy of fire is of first importance in individual fire at close range, and in collective fire it is the foundation of close grouping. Skill is cultivated and developed by range and individual practices. Individual field practice trains the men to fire on their own initiative at service objectives from service positions, to judge distance and allow for the " error of the day," to make the best use of the ground, in observation of fire and in the principles of mutual "support, as the men work in pairs. Collective field practice trains fire-unit commanders in picking up indistinct targets, in controlling, directing, and observing the fire of their men, in mutual support, enfilade, oblique and covering fire, and trains the men in fire discipline. The effect of collective fire depends on (a) close grouping, and on (b) the value of the fire direction, fire control, and fire discipline. Failure or shortcomings in any of these must result in loss of fire effect. Close grouping is brought about by (a) skill with the rifle; (b) firers' knowledge of any sighting errors of their rifles • (c) clear and concise indication of target and aiming-mark by fire-unit commanders; (d) quick recognition of target and aiming-mark by rank and file. If range accommodation is not available, a great number of useful practices can be carried out on a miniature-cartridge range or 30-yards range, except for allowing for the " error of the •day." With landscape targets young soldiers can be taught the following :— (1.) To increase his military vocabulary: (2.) To train his eye to pick up natural features of the ground : (3.) Elementary ground reconnaissance, such as selecting covered lines of advance, ground favourable for observation, good aiming-marks, &c. : (4.) Recognition of difficult targets and aiming-marks : (5.) N.C.O.s in selection of prominent objectives as description-points : (6.) Also in indication of targets for collective fire and in the use of field-glasses

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