Terminal Learning Objective
At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will: be able to properly organize, plan, coordinate, and execute a range.
Action: Operate a range
Condition: In a classroom environment, given instruction on range organization, resources, planning, and execution
Standard: Understand how to organize a range and a range party, obtain necessary resources required to operate a range, plan a range, execute a range in accordance with Army and local regulations, and enforce all safety and environmental standards
Range Operations
Lesson Agenda
Planning the range
Coordinating and resourcing the range
Preparing the range for operation
Conducting range operations
Closing the range
Conduct Mission Analysis
The first step in preparing to execute a range (or any other mission) is to analyze the mission to determine what you know, what you still need to find out, and what impact that information will have on your assigned mission.
Question: What are some of the relevant questions you will need to answer in order to plan this mission?
Conduct Mission Analysis
Who – How many firers are you expecting? From what units?
What – What weapon(s) will be fired at the range?
When – How much time is allotted for firing? Is it enough?
Where – What range are you using?
How – What course(s) of fire are planned? Night fire? NBC fire?
How – How much ammunition is allocated? Do ammo allocations match the expected number of troops?
Research Appropriate Publications
AR 385-63 “Policies and Procedures for Firing Ammunition for Training, Target Practice, and Combat”
DA Pam 350-38 “Standards in Weapons Training”
Field manuals and technical manuals for weapon(s) to be fired
Local safety regulations and range SOPs
Question: What information should you be looking for in these references?
Reconnoiter Range
If possible, visit the range while it is in use. This will allow you to both observe and discuss with the range OIC any peculiarities of that particular range.
Question: What kind of questions will you seek to answer during your range reconnaissance?
Reconnoiter Range
Are range facilities adequate for the type of firing to be conducted?
Are range facilities adequate for type and number of training tasks that can be integrated into the range training plan (e.g. concurrent training)?
What range specific requirements exist?
Are there any permanent range cadre?
What equipment comes with the range?
What additional personnel and equipment are needed?
Assess Risks
Prepare deliberate risk assessment and then incorporate control measures into your range plan.
Assess risks to and from personnel and equipment
Assess risks to and from the environment
Question: Where can you find further insight into the risks that your range will present?
Plan Supporting Training
Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI)
Remedial marksmanship training for those who fail qualify
Concurrent training
Assess Available Resources
Do I have enough personnel?
Do I have the right kind of personnel (for the duties I need them to fill)?
Do I have enough vehicles to support range operations (including personnel/equipment transport)?
Do I have access to the other equipment I need to conduct this range (and any supporting training)?
Once you have a rough idea of how to run the range, you must assess your available resources to determine whether you can support your intended plan. If not, you either need to seek additional resources or revise your plan.
Prepare Range Plan (OPORD)
Organize a firing plan -- range organization, courses of fire, lane and/or station rotation, firing commands, etc.
Find a copy of an OPORD for that same range (or same weapon system on another range) previously used by your unit.
Ask the range NCOIC (probably your platoon sergeant) for his input on how the range should be run.
Prepare Range Plan (OPORD)
Determine the physical layout of the range.
Determine where you will establish the following:
Prepare Range Plan (OPORD)
Identify personnel to fill key positions on range:
Prepare Range Plan (OPORD)
Your published OPORD must convey to all units attending the range a few basic pieces of information, such as:
uniform requirements (especially if flak vest, NBC protectivemask and/or other such equipment is required)
range timeline
courses of fire
PMI requirement
Question: What other details should be conveyed to participating units in your published OPORD?
Publish Range Plan
Submit completed OPORD to XO for review and CO for signature.
Distribute completed OPORD to all units involved.
Brief plan to range cadre and range detail.
Rehearse Range Plan
Determine what type/level of rehearsal is appropriate for your range. Determine who needs to be involved in the rehearsal.
Question: What are the factors that influence these decision?
Rehearse Range Plan
Question: What aspects of the range most need rehearsing (and to what degree)?
Tower commands
Concurrent training
Range-specific control procedures (especially for limited visibility fire)
VIP brief
other areas essential to successful range operation
Train and Certify Trainers
Ensure that all personnel directly involved in providing training (e.g. concurrent training NCO, lane AIs, etc. are properly prepared and qualified to conduct the training they will provide at the range.
Range Scheduling
Once you know what range you will be running, ensure it has been scheduled by battalion S3.
Confirm that the reserved dates match the dates you have been given for the range.
Look for training conflicts immediately prior to and/or immediately after the range which might interfere.
Ammo Draw
Verify ammo allocations with battalion S3. Determine how many firers you can accommodate with the allocated ammo.
Submit DA Form 581 – “Request for Issue and Turn-In of Ammunition.”
Schedule ammo draw date and time.
Ensure you have an appropriate cargo vehicle with appropriate hazardous cargo placards available for ammo draw.
Essential Equipment
Prepare an equipment checklist as part of your range plan. Otherwise, you are likely to overlook items you intended to use.
While required equipment varies from range to range and weapon to weapon, there are many items which are common to all ranges.
Question: What equipment do you think you will need to provide (i.e. equipment not provided at the range or from range control)?
Essential Equipment
Essential Equipment
Essential Equipment
Coordination with Supporting Units
You may need to coordinate with supporting units for:
Ammo draw and transport
Transportation of firers (usually left up to each individual unit)
Training aids
Medics
Mess
Armorer support
Other equipment as necessary
Assume Responsibility for Range
Sign for range and range equipment (firefighting equipment, range fan markers, MEDEVAC signals, etc.)
Establish communication with range control; request to occupy range IAW your installation’s range regulations
Inspect range for operational condition; ensure range fan markers are in place; inform range control of any deficiencies
Raise range flag (may delay until ready to “go hot”)
Establish Range Layout
Establish (i.e. mark) the basic range layout IAW the plan you previously established:
Inspect Range
Inspect critical range functions for readiness:
Ammo received, inspected (for appropriate type and quantity), inventoried, secured, safeguarded, loaded into magazines (or broken down into belts of appropriate length, etc.), organized by firing order and course of fire, etc.
Targets prepared and in position
Concurrent training station established
Range cadre all on site and ready to operate
Medical station established
OpenRange
Once you are satisfied that the range is ready to conduct live fire operations, request a “hot/wet” status from range control and receive firers onto the range.
Receive Firers
As firers arrive on the range . . .
Conduct a safety and operational check of weapons
Conduct range orientation brief
Conduct range safety brief
Organize personnel into firing orders and groups for concurrent training
MonitorRange Operations
As the OIC is responsible for everything that takes place on the range, he/she typically fills a largely supervisory role on the range. While the NCOIC also supervises to an extent, he/she is much more involved in implementing the individual requirements of the range. The range safety officer, like the OIC, fills primarily a supervisory role.
Other range cadre perform most of the actual duties on the range.
MonitorRange Operations
Specific OIC/NCOIC/RSO duties may include:
MonitorRange Operations
Specific OIC/NCOIC/RSO duties may include:
Report to Range Control
Call range control and report cessation of firing. Request a “cold” status. Be prepared to provide quantity and DODAAC of ammunition fired, number of personnel trained, and any other basic range statistics.
Request a range inspector to come clear you from the range. You will have to tell range control what time you want this inspector to arrive. Be certain not to request him to arrive before you end up being ready. He may not be very agreeable if he has to wait on you or come back a second time.
Police the Range
Return range equipment (e.g. targets, paddles) to range shed
Collect and consolidate brass, links, other residue, etc.
Remove debris from range
Reconfigure range facilities as they were when you arrived (sandbags, foxhole covers, etc.)
Clean latrines
Account for and Load Equipment
Ammunition (segregate residue by type and separate from any remaining live ammo)
Range equipment (especially sensitive items – weapons, radios, NVGs, etc.)
Score cards
Load equipment onto vehicles in preparation for return to garrison.
Conduct AAR and
Report to Higher
Conduct a range AAR on-site. Record notes and incorporate them into future ranges. Share these notes with OIC of the next range your unit runs.
Report completion of range to higher. Report number of soldiers trained (by unit). Report qualification statistics (number qualified, number unsuccessful).