Marksman Certification

Leading SME: Guyan

Marksmen are certified with the use of long rifles, generally chambered in higher calibers, in order to extend the range of a standard rifleman squad. This certification includes familiarization with various barometric and weather measuring equipment, usage of range cards and rangefinders, as well as the ability to spot and designate range landmarks to assist shooters.

Learning Objectives

 * 1) To demonstrate adequate knowledge of scope adjustments
 * 2) Demonstrate knowledge of basic ammunition types and purpose
 * 3) Knowledge of basic marksman equipment
 * 4) Vector 21, Kestrel 4500NV, ATragMX, Rangecard
 * 5) Demonstrate adequate performance as a marksman

Understanding ammunition types

 * Preferred rounds are italicized


 * 7.62x51mm NATO
 * M80 standard ball round
 * M118LR - Basic long range round
 * Mk316 Mod 0 - improved long range round
 * Mk319 Mod 0 - Barrier defeating round
 * M993 - Armor piercing round; unstable at distance
 * 8.6×70mm (.338 Lapua)
 * .338 Lapua Magnum (LM) - standard ball round
 * .338 API526 - armor piercing incendiary round; unstable at distance
 * .338 300gr lapua scenar - long range round
 * 7.62x67mm rounds available for the URL
 * Mk 248 Mod 0 - Long range round
 * Mk 248 Mod 1 - An improved long range round
 * Berger OTM - more improved long range round
 * 6.5×48 mm
 * 6.5mm ball - Standard Round
 * 6.5mm Creedmoor - Long range round
 * 6.5mm HPBT Senar - Long range round

The adjustments of scopes

 * Elevation Adjustment
 * PageUP/Down to adjust by +/- 0.1
 * scopesLeftShift and PageUP/Down to adjust +/- 1.0
 * Windage Adjustment
 * LeftCtrl and PageUP/Down to adjust by +/- 0.1
 * LeftCtrl, Left Shift, and PageUP/Down to adjust by +/-1.0

RangeFinding using the Vector21

 * Range finding with azimuth
 * Press and hold TAB and R until a red square appears
 * Release both keys
 * Display will show azimuth in degrees on the left, distance in meters on the right
 * Optional skills (not required, but helpful)
 * Distance and azimuth between two targets
 * Press and Hold TAB until the azimuth appears
 * Sight the circle on the first object and tap R while further holding. the first measurement is confirmed ("1-p" = first point)
 * Sight the second object and release TAB
 * Measuring horizontal and vertical distance
 * Press and hold R until the red pointing circle appears
 * Sight the circle on the object and tap TAB once. The first measurement is confirmed ("1-p = first point)
 * Sight the second object and release R
 * Fall of Shot Adjustment
 * Tab TAB once and press and hold it again until the azimuth appears
 * Sight the circle on the object and tap R while holding TAB
 * Sight the fall of shot and release TAB
 * left side will display left/right correction value in meters
 * right side will display add/drop correction value in meters

Using the Kestrel 4500NV

 * Open the Kestrel and navigate use the up and down arrows to navigate to User Screen 2
 * Note the data on this screen, temperature in C, barometric pressure in hPa and relative humidity percentage
 * Navigate to Wind SPD m/s screen using the arrows
 * Press Shift + K to open wind direction indicator
 * Face into the wind and ensure your surroundings are clear of objects, trees, buildings, bushes
 * Note the wind speed on your kestrel and the clock direction you are facing
 * Ex: 1.1 M/s at 11 o'clock

Using the AtragMX calculations

 * Inputting data
 * Open AtragMX, navigate to the bottom right of the screen and open GunList
 * Locate and select your ammunition type and select Open Gun
 * NOTE: Only ACE3 ammunition types are listed in the gun list. RHS/NIArms are not listed.
 * Navigate to the Atmosphere tab
 * Input the data you collected on User Screen 2 of the Kestrel 4500NV
 * Navigate to the target data tab
 * Latitude is automatically updated for each map
 * When rangefinding with the Vector 21, inclination angle, direction of fire and distance are automatically calculated
 * Input wind direction and speed previously calculated using the Kestrel 4500NV
 * Target speed calculation (optional, for moving targets)
 * To calculate your target's speed, go to Options and use the Target Speed Est tool
 * Input the target range, number of mil-dot's move and the elapsed time
 * click done
 * Understanding the AtragMX calculations
 * Elevation
 * add hold and cor together and adjust your scope to the total value
 * Windage
 * add wind, cor and spin together and adjust your scope to the total value
 * Lead (moving targets)
 * Do NOT adjust your scope to this value. Move your crosshair off-center to the value given

Using the Rangecard

 * Calculate your distance to the target and the current temperature
 * Find the appropriate elevation adjustment
 * The rangecard allows for rapid estimations of scope adjustments for rapidly evolving engagements and is not intended for use as a ballistics calculator

Phase II: Supervised Practice

 * Candidates and instructors will work on basic competency skills and practicing the skills covered in Phase I.
 * Candidates should ask questions, seek guidance from peers and instructors and hone their skills.

Qualification Requirements

 * Candidates may use any  semi-automatic, mid-caliber  marksman rifle
 * Candidates will have 3 shots to hit each target. Failure to hit the target in 3 shots will result in termination of the qualification attempt.
 * Candidates will receive no coaching of any kind from instructors
 * Candidates may choose to have a spotter assist them, however the spotter may only call target direction, distance, description and the fall of the shot. They may not calculate data for the candidate
 * Instructor will only provide "hit" or "miss" as feedback to the shooter.

Qualification Course Requirements

 * The range to the target is preferably between 200 and 800 meters, but never more than 1000m.
 * There should be a minimum of 6 targets and no more than 10.
 * Targets should be spaced out approximately 100-150m.
 * Targets should be set up on a flat surface and the firing position should be approximately on the same plane (+/-10 meters elevation).
 * Course should start with a 200m "control target" that is not graded to ensure the candidate understands the instructors and to address any technical issues they may have.
 * The instructor will call out the direction of the target and describe the target in detail.
 * Candidate may ask clarifying questions.
 * If the candidate describes the correct target, confirm the target.
 * All targets should be set up in "real world" scenarios.
 * Targets may be partially obscured by buildings, bushes or behind objects.
 * Do NOT place every target in the open.