AFJROTC AIR RIFLE PROGRAM

1. AFJROTC AIR RIFLE PROGRAM MSgt Martin

2. Elements of the Sport of Shooting • Athletes • Sports Equipment • Targets

3. JROTC Competition Opportunities • JROTC Postal Competitions • Army, Navy, USMC, & AIR FORCE JROTC Championships • National JROTC Championship • JROTC team competitions and leagues • Regional and National Junior Competitions

4. CONTROL SHOOTING IS A SPORT THAT EMPHASIZES AND DEVELOPS THESE QUALITIES: DISCIPLINE 0.5mm 10-Ring, 10M distance EXTREME PRECISION CONCENTRATION

5. Qualities of Marksmanship • Safety—one of the safest youth sports • Open to All--Gender, size, speed, etc. do not determine success • Practice, not ability, makes the difference • Teaches life skills—discipline, responsibility, rewards of hard work • Teaches control, respect for others • It’s fun—scoring a ten is a big thrill!

6. Expendable Supplies • Targets: • BMC targets (for basic instruction) • 10-bull targets (for advanced instruction, rifle team activities) • Pellets: • Use 4.5mm (.177 cal) lead, flat-nosed pellets only • Some pellets marketed by Daisy and Crosman are satisfactory for training • Pellets manufactured by H&N, Vogel, RWS are satisfactory for training and competition

7. Required Equipment • Glove (need sizes) • Shooting Glove • Minimum: Leather work glove • Slings • Shooting Mats (1 per firing pt.) • Kneeling Roll (1 per firing pt.) • Spotting Scope (1 per firing pt.) • Special Equipment • Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers • CBIs—safety indicators for air rifles Equipment needed to get started is low cost and readily available

8. Personal & Safety Equipment • CBIs (clear barrel indicator) for rifles • Clothing • Sweatshirt (1 or 2) or shirt • No shooting jacket permitted • Eye Protection • Air rifle risk minimal • Navy: Required • Army/USMC: Optional • Clear/polycarbonate recommended • Hearing Protection • Not necessary • Enhances concentration

9. Teaching Air Rifle Safety Session Objective: To master the principles of gun and range safety and the performance outcomes that JROTC cadets must demonstrate to safely participate in marksmanship

10. Mastering Air Rifle Safety • Safe Gun Handling Rules • Shooting Range Basics • Range Commands • Range Firing Procedures • Personal and Health Requirements • Everyone is a Safety Officer • Self-Discipline & Focus • Becoming “Marksmanship Qualified”

11. Safety Performance Objectives Properly Trained Cadets Will: • Be aware of the gun muzzle and maintain proper muzzle control at all times • Check for and maintain an open action on every gun they handle • Keep index fingers off of the trigger except when firing • Respond properly to range commands and special range situations • Be aware of the gun handling of those around them and assist others in following safe gun handling rules

12. Start with the goal—no gun accidents! Learn primary gun parts: M-A-T Learn M-A-T performance standards Practice handling air rifles--safety comes from practice, not knowledge Safe gun handling rules apply to all guns and firearms Learning To Handle Guns Safely

13. Primary Gun Parts and Their Functions 3. Trigger 2. Action 1. Muzzle

14. Know How Rifle Actions Function Rifle and other gun actions (except muzzle-loaders) have a bolt or action that can be opened or closed. Opening the action exposes the breech (rear) end of the barrel for loading. Opening and closing the bolt/action cocks the firing mechanism and prepares the rifle for firing. Daisy M853-bolt in open position, pulled to rear Close bolt by pushing forward

15. Rule 1--Muzzle Control • 1st rule in gun handling--control the direction the muzzle points • Point the gun in a safe direction—usually upward or downrange towards the targets • Never point a gun at another person • Safest direction is usually upward with the muzzle held above head level

16. Rule 2—Actions Open • 2nd rule in gun handling—keep the gun action open, except when actually firing • Visually check the action to verify that it is open (CBI inserted in air rifle) • A gun with an open action cannot be fired unintentionally • Know how the action functions on any rifle you handle • On target ranges, actions must remain open at all times except when the rifle is on the firing line and dry or live firing is authorized OPEN AIR RIFLE ACTIONS

17. Rule 3—Finger Off Trigger • 3rd gun handling rule--keep the finger off the trigger except when actually firing • The trigger guard protects the trigger from being unintentionally pulled • Hold or carry the rifle with the index finger outside of the trigger guard • Place the index finger on the trigger only after starting to aim at the target

18. CBI—Clear Barrel Indicator • CBI (Clear Barrel Indicator) used to confirm rifle is unloaded • CBI inserted when rifle is taken to range • CBI removed on firing line when preparation for firing begins • When firing is completed, ground rifle, insert CBI Inserting CBI after firing

19. Safety Rules Apply to All Guns Safe Gun Handling Rules Apply to all guns in all circumstances Open Action Muzzle Control Open Action with Safety Flag

20. Range Operations

21. Air Rifle Range Layout Firing Line Range Officer Station Firing Distance = 10 meters Firing Points Ready Line Target Backstops Ready Area Safety Barrier

22. Range Layout Requirements • Firing Distance: 10 meters—target face to rear edge of firing line • Firing Line: Red line, visibly marked • Firing Point: Recommended width = 1.25m (49”), minimum width = 1m (40”), recommended length = 2m (80”) • Range Officer Station: Control point for range • Ready Line: Control line for shooters waiting to fire & spectators

23. Range Safety Barrier • Barrier = 2 sides & front from ready line forward • Pellet containment required within perimeter & ceiling • Access closed/locked from inside of perimeter • Door signed—Caution—Do Not Enter—Live Firing in Progress

24. Backstop Requirements: 100% pellet capture Steel—14-16 gauge steel (consider hardness) Target Holders: Ease of hanging targets Support proper target locations: 20/31.5/55 in. Prone/Kneeling/Standing Air Rifle Range Backstops

25. Range Operation Terms • Safety Barrier: An outside wall or other means of preventing people from entering the range area. • Target Holders: One for each firing point. Target holders have a metal plate behind the targets to act as a backstop to stop and collect pellets. • Firing Line: No part of the body may touch the firing line or the floor ahead of line. • Range Officer: In charge of range, RO must be an adult. • Firing Point: Broken into divisions on firing line. Firing points are rectangular spaces behind the firing line 1 meter wide by 2 meters long. • Ready Line/Area: Persons waiting to fire & spectators must remain behind line

26. LOAD OK to charge gas mechanism OK to insert pellet OK to close action START OK to begin firing OK to continue firing STOP Immediately stop attempting to fire shot (finger off trigger!) Open action Firing no longer authorized Follow RO instructions UNLOAD RO must confirm unloaded condition--RO assistance required to unload loaded rifle Basic Range Commands

27. Unloaded Rifle: Action open No pellet in barrel CBI inserted Grounded Rifle: On floor or bench Unloaded w/CBI inserted Line is Clear: Rifles are unloaded, grounded and checked No one handles rifles Line is Hot: No one forward of firing line Ready for firing Preparation Period: OK to remove CBIs, close bolts and dry-fire Charging gas or loading is not authorized Safety Definitions

28. Gun Cases Gun Cases: • Common means of air rifle storage and transport • Behind firing line—keep rifles in closed cases • Bring closed case to firing line with muzzle oriented downrange • After opening case—open action and insert CBI • Remove rifle from case, ground rifle, remove case from firing line • After firing—replace rifle in case on firing line—CBI may be removed, action closed and trigger released before closing case

29. Air Rifle Storage Storage & Security • Air rifles may be stored in gun cases or a locked store room • Storage room locks should be controlled by Air Rifle Coaches and ROTC Instructors • Rifles come to storage area unloaded, with CBI inserted, or in a gun case • CBIs may be removed, bolts closed, triggers released during storage

30. Safe Loading Procedure • Start with open action • Operate charging lever • Insert pellet • Close action • Place rifle in position and fire shot • Open action--repeat Open charging lever, pause, then close Insert pellet here, then close bolt

31. A: Prior to Firing • Set up range for firing • Bring equipment to range: AirRifles, pellets, targets, mats, etc. • Assign Cadets to Relays, give instructions & Safety Briefing prior to firing • Call Shooters to firing line • Set up equipment • Move rifles to firing line and ground them (move rifles and equipment to line separately) • Issue targets

32. B: Hang/Retrieve Targets • All rifles must be grounded with CBIs inserted • RO checks line, declares “LINE IS CLEAR” • Instruct shooters to go forward to hang/retrieve targets • No air rifle handling when anyone is downrange!

33. C: Preparation, Start, Stop • RO confirms that everyone is behind firing line • RO declares LINE IS HOT, YOU MAY HANDLE RIFLES & GET INTO POSITION • PREPARATION BEGINS NOW—informal or timed—shooters may remove CBIs & dry fire—correct firing position problems during preparation if possible • RO commands LOAD – START, firing begins • Monitor firing—watch gun muzzles 1st, technique problems 2nd—resolve problems as required • Confirm completion—check grounded rifles--DOES ANYONE NEED ADDITIONAL TIME? • RO declares STOP - UNLOAD

34. Emergency STOP Situations • STOP Command may be called for emergency/special situations (when firing exercise is not complete) • Safety emergency • Need to give special instructions to firers • Need to remove malfunctioning rifle from line • RO Commands STOP–STOP-STOP (Three times) • Or anyone may command STOP if they observe a safety emergency • Firers immediately stop attempting to fire shot (remove finger from trigger) • RO instructs shooters to OPEN YOUR ACTIONS and gives other instructions appropriate for situation • “Keep muzzles pointed downrange” • “Ground rifles without inserting CBIs” • Or other instructions as appropriate

35. E: Malfunctions • Shooter keeps muzzle pointed downrange, raises hand • Go to shooter, take rifle • Option if required-STOP all firing • Check: bolt closed, safety off, air charge, etc. • Attempt to continue firing, or… • Clear rifle and remove from line • Open action, remove pellet w/cleaning rod, insert CBI or… • Instructor removes rifle from range

36. F: Firing Completed • When Shooter finishes firing he/she must: • Open bolt • Ground rifle • Insert CBI • At end of firing RO declares STOP – UNLOAD • If shooter has loaded rifle, the shooter must: • Stop attempting to fire shot • Open bolt • Request RO assistance • RO checks all rifles to confirm LINE IS CLEAR

37. G: Clearing Loaded Rifles • Shooter keeps muzzle pointed downrange, declares LOADED RIFLE • RO goes to shooter • Instruct shooter to discharge rifle into backstop (normally). • Shooter opens bolt, grounds rifle and inserts CBI

38. H: Targets/Stages of Firing • Retrieve or Replace Targets • All rifles must be grounded • RO checks line, declares “LINE IS CLEAR” • Instruct shooters to go forward to hang/retrieve targets. Vancouver Range cadets are not allowed to retrieve targets. • Shooters may not return to positions/handle rifles • Next Stage of Firing/Next Relay • RO confirms that everyone is behind firing line • RO gives instructions for shooters to take positions or for next relay (firing group) to move to firing line • RO declares “LINE IS HOT” • RO begins preparation period or “change-over” (competitions only)

39. I: Closing Range • All rifles must be unloaded with CBI inserted • RO checks all rifles to confirm LINE IS CLEAR • RO gives instructions to place rifles in cases or take rifles to storage

40. A. Prior to Firing Set up range for firing Bring equipment to range: Air Rifles, pellets, targets, mats, etc. Assign Cadets to Relays, give instructions & Safety Briefing prior to firing Call Shooters to firing line B. Hang/Retrieve Targets Rifles grounded CBIs Inserted RO declares ‘Line is Clear” Shooters hang/retrieve targets C. Preparation, Start, Stop Everyone behind firing line. RO declares – Line Is Hot Preparation Period Load – Start Commands Stop – Unload Commands D. Firing Completed Open Bolt, Insert CBI, Ground Rifle RO Checks all Rifles “Line is Clear” Command Closing Range Retrieve Targets Put Rifles Away In Gun Cases Firing Range Set Up and Tear DownQuick Review

41. Mental Preparation and Focus

42. The Triangle of Success

43. FOCUS • Athletes need to focus on those aspects of their performance that are within their control. • Preparation • Execution => FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL!

44. Preparation • Develop a set of goals • Long-term goals • Short-term goals • Outcome goals 2. Make sure the goals are very specific and bounded. 3. Write down the goals in the shooting diary

45. FOCUS • An athlete’s success depends on three factors: • How well they know where you want to go (are their goals well defined)? • How much do they really want to get there (are they committed to their goals)? • How strongly do they believe in their ability to succeed (have they aligned their self-image)? => FOCUS ON YOUR SUCCESS!

46. FOCUS • When an athlete looks in the mirror what do they see? • An Olympic gold medallist? • An “A” class shooter? • A local club champion? • At what point does an athlete feel comfortable and at what point does an athlete get scared? => FOCUS ON WHERE YOUR COMFORT ZONE IS NOT!