CHAPTER 4
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-2 e. “Cease Fire”. This command is used to cease target engagement.
f. “Unload”. This command is used to take a weapon from condition 1 or condition 3, to condition 4.
g. “Show Clear”. This command is used to require a second individual to check the weapon to verify that no ammunition is present before the weapon is put into condition 4.
5. Range Orientation Brief. Prior to live firing the RSO will give an orientation brief on the range and discuss the items listed in subparagraphs 5a through 5i.
a. Range safety rules (see paragraph 6).
b. Berms (to include a visual of the right and left lateral limits).
c. Downrange.
d. Surface danger zone.
e. Ready line.
f. Firing line.
g. Firing points.
h. Tower or point from which the RSO will call the range.
i. Any other pertinent topic.
6. Range Safety Rules.
a. RSO Authority. The RSO has final authority to decide, based on safety criteria, if a shooter will participate in live fire qualification.
b. General Range Safety Rules.
(1) Upon receipt of the weapon, the chamber will be checked to ensure it is not loaded. Before loading, check weapon for cracked or worn parts. Inspect barrel for any damage, foreign debris or other obstructions. Check for dirt, excess oil, grease or other problems. Check the magazine spring for tension and the magazine in general for defects.
(2) Weapons must be clear before any personnel go downrange. Weapons or ammunition must not be handled or manipulated in any way if there is anyone downrange.
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-3 (3) Never leave a firearm unattended, even for a brief period of time.
Note: Benching a cleared weapon while personnel move downrange is not considered leaving a firearm unattended.
(4) Never discharge a firearm when running. Always stop to shoot and only when certain of the target and path of the projectile. Always be aware of what is behind the target and the potential impact zone. Category 3 and category 4 courses of fire may require shooting while on the move.
(5) Never load the firearm with dented magazines, magazines with loose bullets or otherwise damaged rounds. Only approved ammunition acceptable for use on the range will be introduced.
(6) If any unsafe condition is observed, immediately call “cease fire” or repeat the “cease fire” command if initiated by another shooter. Anyone may call a cease-fire on the range.
(7) Hearing protection is required at all times when firearms are being discharged during training and qualification. All personnel exposed to gunfire in a training situation or to noise from large caliber gun or missile firing, under any circumstances, must wear sufficient hearing protective devices (single protection up to and between 140 decibel (dB) sound pressure level (SPL) peak and double protection at 165 dB SPL peak and above) to reduce the individual’s effective exposure level to below 84 dBA or 140 dB SPL. References (s) and (t) pertain.
(8) American National Standards Institute approved glasses are required. The National Stock Number (NSN) 8415-01-408-2293 meets American National Standards Institute standards.
(9) For ranges and other facilities utilizing marking cartridges or equivalent type cartridges for force on force training, never fire marking cartridges at another person unless they are wearing the proper personal protective equipment approved for Navy use.
(10) After completion of live fire training or whenever handling ammunition, shooters must wash their hands prior to eating, tobacco use or drinking in order to avoid ingestion of lead or other toxic contaminants.
c. Pistol Safety Rules.
(1) Pistols must be clear when not in use. The chamber must be empty, the safety must be engaged (if applicable) and the magazine must be removed. Additionally, benched pistols must be pointed downrange with the slide locked to the rear and holstered pistols must have the slide closed with the hammer or striker de-cocked. The weapon must be verified to ensure it is clear before benching or holstering.
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-4 (2) Do not remove pistols from the holsters until at the firing point facing the target and only when instructed to do so.
(3) Retention devices, i.e., thumb breaks and locking systems, will be used at all times during pistol courses of fire.
(4) Pistols are to be carried on and off the range in condition 4 and must be either holstered or carried via administrative transport.
d. Rifle Safety Rules.
(1) Rifles must be clear when not in use. The clear condition of a rifle is safety on, unloaded, bolt open and magazine removed. When carrying the weapon on the range, when benching it or receiving it from or handing it to another person, ensure the rifle is in a clear condition.
(2) Rifles will be carried on and off the range in a vertical or port arms position and in a clear condition.
(3) When loading a rifle, keep the weapon horizontal and pointed downrange.
(4) After unloading a rifle, while keeping the muzzle pointed downrange, visually examine the chamber and the magazine to verify the weapon is clear.
e. Shotgun Safety Rules.
(1) The clear condition of a shotgun is unloaded, action open, weapon on safe. When carrying the weapon on the range, when benching it or receiving it from or handing it to another person, make certain the shotgun is in a clear condition.
(2) When loading a shotgun, keep the weapon horizontal and pointed downrange.
(3) Shotguns will be carried on and off the range in the vertical position or port arms position, unloaded with the breach open.
(4) After unloading a shotgun, while keeping the muzzle pointed downrange, visually examine the chamber and the magazine to verify the weapon is clear.
f. Machine Gun Safety Rules.
(1) Always check barrel bore and chamber before firing.
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-5 (2) Check ammunition for oil or grease. Oil or grease on cartridges will produce excessive chamber pressure and can cause personal injury or death.
(3) Before firing, make sure barrel is locked tightly to the receiver. If the barrel is not locked, threads in receiver could be damaged or cause personal injury. For the heavy barrel machine gun (M2HB), complete head space and timing.
(4) For the machine gun tripod (M122), when extending and locking tripod legs, be sure to slide sleeve down to lowest position and latched.
(5) Always cock machine guns with palms up, with the exception of the MK-19 and MK- 48 which must be cocked with palms down.
(6) Ensure that assigned and spare barrels have been head spaced and tagged to their specific receiver. Rotate usage of barrels on their assigned weapon, typically after 200 rounds have been fired.
(7) Never interchange barrel assembly or bolt assembly from one machine gun to another. Doing so may result in injury or death of personnel.
(8) If a runaway gun occurs, always keep machine gun pointed downrange. Never reload a runaway machine gun until it is repaired. Reference (u) provides specific guidance.
(9) Always use heat resistant mittens on a hot barrel. A hot barrel can cause serious burns.
(10) When removing a stuck unfired cartridge, always stay clear of the muzzle. Do not allow the round to hit any hard surface or it may discharge. Dispose of live rounds per local command policy and procedures.
(11) If a hot gun situation is encountered, refer to reference (s) for hot gun misfire procedures. Look up the specific procedures for the machine gun experiencing the problem. This publication is required to be present on the range during training.
(12) Always unload the weapon before removing from tripod, disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, transporting or storing. Always check the chambers and bores after unloading to be sure the weapon is clear.
g. Prescreening Questions. Positive response to the questions listed in subparagraphs 6g(1) through 6g(5) will result in the member being disqualified from participating in live fire.
(1) “Have you experienced any injury or incapacitating mental effects that could hamper your ability to safely operate the weapon?”
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-6 (2) “Is there any physical or other reason that could hamper your ability to safely operate the weapon?”
(3) “Have you consumed drugs, prescription or otherwise, within the last 24 hours that may impair your ability to safely operate the weapon?”
(4) “Have you consumed alcohol within the last 12 hours?”
(5) “Are you pregnant?”
h. Ready Line.
(1) The ready line is behind and parallel to the firing line. The ready line may or may not be marked on the firing range. If there is no ready line marked, the RSO will establish a ready line approximately 10 feet behind the firing line, depending on available space.
(2) Shooters and line coaches will initially be positioned behind the ready line. Shooters and line coaches will not move forward of the ready line until instructed to do so by the RSO.
(3) All spectators must remain behind the ready line during live fire sequences.
(4) In order for all safety instructions to be clearly heard and understood by all personnel, shooters will not talk while on the ready line or the firing line.
i. Firing Line.
(1) All live fire will take place at the firing line as designated in the COF.
(2) Weapons will not be handled at the firing line until specific instructions are given by the RSO to do so.
(3) No one will move downrange (forward of the firing line) unless instructed to do so by the RSO.
(a) Before any personnel move downrange, all shooters will bench or holster a clear and safe weapon and all personnel must move to the rear of the ready line. After all personnel have moved behind the ready line and the RSO has verified the firing line is safe, the RSO may allow personnel to move downrange.
(b) All personnel returning from downrange will return to the rear of the ready line. Once all personnel have returned to the ready line, the RSO will declare the firing line hot and may direct line coaches and shooters to return to their firing positions.
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-7 j. Remedial Actions.
(1) Stoppage. A stoppage is an unintentional interruption in the cycle of operation. A stoppage is normally discovered when the weapon does not fire. Proper operation, care, cleaning and lubrication of the weapon can prevent most stoppages.
(2) Immediate Action. Prompt action taken by the shooter to clear a stoppage. Procedures are detailed in reference (c).
(3) Remedial Action. Remedial action is the process of investigating the cause of the stoppage, clearing the stoppage and returning the weapon to operation. There is no one set of procedures (i.e., immediate action) that can be performed to clear all or even most stoppages that can occur. Therefore, the stoppage must be investigated and remedial action must be performed to clear it.
(4) Audible Pop or Reduced Recoil. A dangerous situation can potentially exist if the round produces a lower than normal audible pop or lower than normal recoil. This condition can also be accompanied by smoke escaping from the chamber area. An audible pop occurs when only a portion of the propellant is ignited and could result in the projectile obstructing the bore. If this situation occurs, the slide and hammer or bolt is in the forward position. When audible pop or reduced recoil is experienced, under no circumstances is immediate action performed. If the chamber is reloaded and the weapon is fired again, serious injury to the shooter or surrounding personnel can occur. Whenever unsure, always wait a minimum of 3 seconds, unload and clear the weapon and inspect the bore to ensure it is not obstructed. For the MK19, always wait a minimum of 10 seconds and for the M203, always wait a minimum of 30 seconds. While performing immediate action, always keep the muzzle of the weapon pointed directly downrange.
(5) Remedial Action Policy.
(a) All shooters must perform their own immediate or remedial actions unless there is a possibility of a bore obstruction or unless directed otherwise by the RSO.
(b) For the Navy Handgun Qualification Course, Handgun Lowlight Course and Rifle Lowlight Course, all remedial actions will be performed after the sequence of fire is complete unless it cannot be cleared. If that is the case, the shooter will raise the non-firing hand and the line coach will take over. Rounds resulting from a shooter-induced stoppage are saved rounds and are lost. Rounds resulting from an ammunition or weapon-induced stoppage are alibi rounds. Shooters will be afforded the opportunity to fire alibi rounds before the next sequence of fire begins.
(c) For the Navy Handgun Practical Weapons Course, Shotgun Practical Weapons Course, Machine Gun Qualification Course Bipod, Machine Gun Qualification Course and
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-8 Tripod, traversing and elevation mechanism, if a stoppage occurs, the shooter must perform his or her own remedial actions during the course of fire, but under the close supervision of the line coach. Shooters will be allowed to recover from shooter-induced stoppages during the course of fire as long as the appropriate remedial action was taken. If the shooter does not finish the sequence in the allotted time, the RSO will determine the number of saved rounds and alibi rounds and provide adequate time to fire any remaining alibi rounds.
(d) RSOs are responsible for all aspects of range safety. If the RSO determines a shooter is incapable of performing remedial actions, that shooter will be referred for remedial training. Upon completion of the additional training, the RSO may allow the shooter to conduct live fire during a subsequent firing relay.
(6) Remedial action procedures for each weapon are listed in reference (c).
(7) In the case of an audible pop or reduced recoil incident, the shooter will attempt to place the weapon on “safe,” remove their finger from inside the trigger guard, raise their non- firing hand, keep the weapon pointed safely downrange and wait for assistance from the line coach. The weapon will be unloaded, verified clear, disassembled and inspected for a bore obstruction. If there is no bore obstruction, the weapon may continue to be used. If a bore obstruction is present, the weapon will be taken out of service and handled according to the procedures outlined in reference (c).
k. Range Operations.
(1) All firing sequences and range commands must be given by the RSO or an instructor under the close supervision of the RSO.
(2) Shooters must listen carefully and follow instructions and commands given by the RSO.
(3) If a shooter does not understand any instruction or command given by the RSO, that student should immediately raise his or her non-firing hand while removing their finger from the trigger guard and will keep the weapon pointed safely downrange. Ensure safety is on. During low light operations when a hand signal cannot be seen, the student will loudly shout "training time out.” The information will be repeated or clarified by a line coach.
(4) The RSO is ultimately in charge of range operations and safety. All decisions by the RSO are final regarding the removal of trainee(s) from training or qualification if range safety is violated.
l. Range Safety Violations. Shooters must adhere to all RSO commands. Shooters will be removed from the firing line for any violation listed in subparagraphs 6l(1) through 61(8). RSO
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-9 will determine if the shooter can continue the course of fire sequence or whether he or she should be removed permanently from the sequence.
(1) Not keeping the muzzle of the firearm pointed downrange.
(2) Safety not engaged when instructed to do so.
(3) Finger inside the trigger guard except when sights and muzzle are on the target.
(4) Shooting at anything other than the intended target.
(5) Failure to immediately respond to RSO commands.
(6) Failure to follow RSO or line coach instructions.
(7) Firing after the "cease fire" signal has been given.
(8) Inability to perform remedial actions as determined by the RSO.
m. Medical Personnel. During live fire range operations, qualified medical personnel, such as a hospital corpsman (or other Service equivalent), paramedic, emergency medical technician, nurse or doctor must be present at the range. Medical personnel must ensure appropriate medical supplies are present to manage, at a minimum, basic airway, breathing and circulation problems resulting from traumatic and non-traumatic events. Medical personnel will not participate in the live fire shoot while they are on medical duty. Medical personnel do not have to be present if emergency medical services are available on the base or host facility, are able to respond within 10 minutes and there is a regulation or standard operating procedure in place providing for emergency services and transportation. Prior to all live fire events, the RSO will notify medical personnel of the event.
n. Emergency Action Plan. Before any live fire operations can take place, an emergency action plan must be established and coordinated with any host command. This plan must include, at a minimum:
(1) primary and alternate means of communication (location of telephones, telephone numbers, radios, radio channels or call signs (if used) of emergency medical services, fire department, police or security and other emergency response teams as required by the firing range);
(2) identification and location of emergency devices, such as first aid kits and other equipment determined by the location of the firing range;
(3) notification lists of personnel and the appropriate chains of command;
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
4-10 (4) muster sites and evacuation routes for non-affected students, line coaches and instructors;
(5) entry routes for emergency services vehicles and personnel;
(6) locations of nearest landing zone; and
(7) dedicated evacuation vehicle on standby and emergency evacuation route, unless the base or host facility provides emergency transportation services and there is a regulation or standard operating procedure in place for such services.
o. Training Time Out.
(1) A training time out may be called by anyone in any training situation where they are concerned for their own or another’s safety or they request clarification of procedures or requirements. A training time out is also an appropriate means for a person to obtain relief if he or she is experiencing pain, heat stress or other serious physical discomfort. The purpose of the training time out is to correct the situation of concern, provide clarifying information or remove the individual from the possible hazardous environment. A training time out may be signaled by verbally shouting “training time out” or “cease fire,” or by non-verbally raising the non-firing hand straight up from the shoulder, while keeping the weapon pointed safely downrange. If a training time out is signaled, all personnel who hear the command will repeat it until the RSO has acknowledged the command. (Note: In lowlight situations use the verbal commands.) If the training time out is not acknowledged, the signaler will continue to shout the verbal commands again until acknowledged. If an adequate number of line coaches are available to allow training to continue safely, the RSO may elect to have the line coach attempt to relieve and remove the individual from the possible hazardous environment. However, if this is not practical, training will be stopped until the situation is corrected.
(2) In those cases where an individual refuses to participate in training after a training time out instruction has been given, he or she will be removed from the training site and referred to member’s chain of command. No disciplinary action can result from calling a training time out.
7. Range Operations. No contents of this instruction will prevent local range regulations or standard operating procedures from requiring more stringent range safety criteria than contained herein.
OPNAVINST 3591.1G 1 Jun 2021
5-1 CHAPTER 5 SMALL ARMS DRY FIRE TRAINING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
1. General. Training is a process for both mind and body and is the time spent perfecting elements of a technique. Training can consist of one element of a technique followed by combining the elements of a technique until the technique can be performed correctly and smoothly. Initially, rapid completion of techniques is not the goal. As a technique is repetitiously practiced and improved until it can be performed correctly, the speed with which the technique is accomplished can be increased.
2. Policy. The ability to perform a psychomotor skill instinctively and reflexively requires continuous training and repetitions to “program” the skill into the subconscious. As this concept relates to shooting, the goal is to have armed personnel, trainees and students practice techniques until they have achieved the goal of being able to perform the same thing, the same way, every single time without requiring conscious thought. It should be quick, smooth and accurate. Once this level has been achieved, it is important to continue to practice those skills as often as possible so that they are not diminished. Small arms skill is perishable and will be lost in a short amount of time without regular training.
a. The RSO or primary small arms instructor will ensure all trainees have emptied their pockets to verify that there are no live rounds present on their person. Once the training area has been established and is deemed safe, dry fire training can be conducted.
b. Dry fire is defined as training in a sterile training environment free of live ammunition, establishing a shooting stance and squeezing the trigger without actually firing live ammunition. The benefits of conducting well-coached repetitious dry fire training cannot be overstated. The shooter will eventually be able to detect fundamental errors through their own dry fire training. Dry fire must be conducted during training to provide students time to practice marksmanship skills. Small arms instructors will observe and assess shooters’ conduct of all demonstration requirements. Since the date of training and the date of live fire are authorized to take place over a 14-day period, shooters must dry fire the specific COF they are going to conduct on the day of live fire. Small arms instructors must verify all weapons used for dry fire are clear and safe and that the designated training area is free of all live ammunition.
c. The seven fundamentals of shooting (grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, breathing and follow-through) can all be evaluated and reinforced during dry fire training.
(1) Grip: provides control and proper sight alignment.
(2) Stance: provides stability, mobility and balance.