QUALIFICATION CRITERIA FOR RIFLES
1. Qualification Criteria
All Navy personnel armed with the rifle are required to qualify on the Rifle Qualification and Rifle Low light Courses.
This enclosure specifically addresses the MI4 and MI6 (series) rifles, to include the M4A1, M727, and Mk-18 Carbines.
Due to safety concerns, there is no requirement to fire the Rifle Lowlight Course while at sea. For IA's and deployed
afloat commands, qualification/sustainment may be extended until 2 months after return to their unit when a range or
simulator is not available. If available, the Rifle Lowlight Course of Fire (COF) shall be accomplished on a simulator
programmed with this COF.
Before each qualification shoot, all personnel shall receive training per paragraph 5 of this enclosure. Personnel
performing annual qualification in this manner shall perform the complete live-fire qualification requirement at their
next semi-annual sustainment point. Training records shall record and highlight that limited live fire training and simulator
training was used to fulfill the qualification requirement as specified in this paragraph.
2. Sustainment Criteria.
All Navy personnel armed with a rifle must re-qualify annually on the Rifle Qualification Course and the Rifle Lowlight Course.
All Navy personnel armed with a rifle must also undergo semiannual sustainment training between qualification shoots, not to
exceed 8 months after the last live fire qualification. The requirements for semiannual sustainment training are outlined in
paragraph 7 of this enclosure.
3. Weapons Conditions for MI4 and M16 (series) Rifles
Weapon Condition Description
Condition 1 Safety on, magazine inserted, round in chamber, bolt forward
Condition 2 Does not apply to M14 Or M16 (series) rifles
Condition 3 Safety on, magazine inserted, chamber empty, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed [MI6 (series)]
Condition 4 Safety on, magazine removed, chamber empty, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed [MI6 (series)]
Transporting and Presenting the Rifle. Training shall cover presenting the rifle from the following transports:
(a) Strong side sling arms (muzzle up).
(b) Weak side sling arms (muzzle down).
(c) Cross body sling arms (muzzle down).
(d) Tactical sling (for personnel armed with M4A1).
4. Marksmanship Fundamentals.
Characteristics/Nomenclature.
(a) For the assembly/disassembly of the MI4 rifle, as well as cleaning, lubricating, and function check,
(b) Operation. The operation training covers function checks, filling and emptying the magazine, loading and unloading
the weapon, and firing the weapon. Remedial Actions. While on the range the shooters shall perform their own remedial
actions unless there is a possibility of a bore obstruction or unless directed to do otherwise by the RSO. For the Rifle
Qualification Course all remedial actions shall be performed during the sequence of fire. If the shooter does not finish the
sequence of fire in the allotted time, the RSO shall determine the number of saved rounds and alibi rounds.
a. Semiannual sustainment training shall include the same marksmanship/safety/weapon familiarization training as specified in
paragraph 5 of this enclosure.
b. In addition, the semiannual sustainment training shall include either:
(1) Live Fire -The Rifle Qualification Course using the sustainment targets. The sustainment scoring criteria (30 hits) within
the outer ring).
(2) Simulator Fire -Shall include simulated Rifle Qualification Course. Additional training in simulated moving targets,
shoot/no-shoot drills, simulated combat engagements.
5. Rifle Qualification Course:
a. Description.
The Rifle Qualification Course is used for qualification on the MI4 and MI6 (series) rifles. This course is
designed to be fired on a 200-yard range using the 'A" target, at 25 yards using the Rifle 'A" Target Reduced 25 Yards
or on a 15-yard afloat range using the Rifle "A" Reduced 15 Yards.
Sustainment training shall be performed on 200-yard ranges using the 'A" target (with the 3 ring as the outer scoring ring),
at 25 Yards using the Rifle Sustainment Target 25 Yards, or at 15 yards using the Rifle Sustainrnent Target 15 Yards
b. Course of Fire
(1) Zeroing the Weapon.
All shooters shall adjust their own sights under the close supervision and assistance of the Line Coach. With a
magazine of 10 rounds and from the prone position, the shooter fires 3 rounds, then clears the weapon. If
feasible, the shooter and the Line Coach go down range and triangulate the target. At this point, Line Coaches
shall assist as necessary. Upon returning to the rear of the ready line, and upon RSO approval, Line Coaches
and shooters shall move forward, and make necessary sight adjustments. This procedure is repeated with a
second 3-rounds, and a final 4-rounds for zero confirmation.
(2) Slow Fire -Prone Position.
Shooter begins with a Condition 4 weapon. On command of the RSO to establish a firing position and load,
the shooter establishes a prone position, and with a magazine of 5 rounds, makes a Condition 3 weapon. On
command of the RSO to make ready and fire, the shooter pulls the charging handle (MI6 (series)) or operating
rod handle (M14) and releases to make a Condition 1 weapon, places the weapon on FIRE in the
semi-automatic mode, and engages the target. Shooters may use the loop sling or hasty sling for additional muzzle
stabilization during this sequence. Shooters shall be given sufficient time to adjust the sling accordingly before this
firing sequence. Time limit is 5 minutes.
(3) Timed Fire -Standing to Prone Position.
The shooter stands at the firing line with a Condition 4 weapon and 2 magazines of 5 rounds each. On command
of the RSO to load, the shooter makes a Condition 3 weapon, and stands with the weapon in the strong side
sling arms position. On command of the RSO establish a firing position, make ready, and fire; the shooter brings
the weapon to the ready position, and then establishes a prone position. Once the prone position is established,
the shooter pulls the charging handle (MI6 (series))or operating rod handle (M14) and releases to make a
Condition 1 weapon, and places the weapon on FIRE in the semi-automatic mode. The shooter then engages
the target with 5 rounds, conducts a dry reload with the second magazine, and engages the target with 5 more
rounds. Shooters may use the hasty sling for additional muzzle stabilization during this sequence. Shooters shall
be given sufficient time to adjust the sling accordingly before this firing sequence. Time limit is 70 seconds.
(4) Slow Fire -Kneeling Position.
The shooter stands at the firing line with a Condition 4 weapon and a magazine of 5 rounds. On command of the
RSO to establish a firing position and load, the shooter establishes a kneeling position, and makes a Condition 3
weapon. On command of the RSO to make ready and fire, the shooter pulls the charging handle (MI6 (series))
or operating rod handle (M14) and releases to make a Condition 1 weapon, places the weapon on FIRE in the
semi-automatic mode, and engages the target. Shooters may use the hasty sling for additional muzzle stabilization
during this sequence. Time limit is 5 minutes.
(5) Timed Fire -Standing to Kneeling Position.
The shooter stands at the firing line with a Condition 4 weapon and 2 magazines of 5 rounds each. On command
of the RSO to load, the shooter makes a Condition 3 weapon, and stands with the weapon in the strong side sling
arms position. On command of the RSO establish a firing position, make ready, and fire; the shooter brings the
weapon to the ready position, and then establishes a kneeling position. Once the kneeling position is established,
the shooter pulls the charging handle (MI6 series))or operating rod handle (M14) and releases to make a
Condition 1 weapon, and places the weapon on FIRE in the semi-automatic mode. The shooter then engages
the target with 5 rounds, conducts a dry reload with the second magazine, and engages the target with 5 more
rounds. Shooters may use the hasty sling for additional muzzle stabilization during this sequence.
Time limit is 70 seconds.
(6) Slow Fire -Standing Position.
The shooter stands at the firing line with a Condition 4 weapon pointed down range, and one magazine of 10 rounds.
On command of the RSO to load, make ready, and fire, the shooter loads to make a Condition 3 weapon, makes
ready to make a Condition 1 weapon, and fires to engage the target. Shooters may use the hasty sling for
additional muzzle stabilization during this sequence. Time limit is 10 minutes.
c. Summary Table-Rifle Qualification Course (Yard Line / Rounds / Sequence / Remarks)
200/25/15 10 3 rounds/adjust sights Zero Rifle 3 rounds/adjust sights Prone position 4 rounds/adjust sights 10 minutes.
200/25/15 5 5 rounds/5 minutes. Prone, from Condition 3 200/25/15 10 10 rounds/ 70 seconds. From Standing, Sling-arms position, Condition 3, to Prone
200/25/15 5 5 rounds/5 minutes. Kneeling, from Condition 3 200/25/15 10 10 rounds/70 seconds. From Standing, Sling-arms position, Condition 3, to Kneeling
200/25/15 10 10 rounds/l0 minutes. Standing, from Condition 4
d. Scoring for the Rifle Qualification Course.
For the "A" target, hits on the paper (within the target border) and outside the "4" ring are 3 points. If the grease
mark of the bullet (not the tear caused by the bullet) is located in 2 scoring areas of the target, or touches the outside
of a higher scoring ring, the higher value shall be counted.
6. Marksmanship awards, qualification, and record entries shall be based on the following:
Possible Score. ..........200
Minimum Qualifying Score .......140
Unqualified. ........ Less than 140
Sustainment Score.
30 hits in scoring area (within outer ring, or 3 ring for "A" target)