TC 3-22.9 Rifles and Carbines Flashcards
What Army publication covers marksmanship for the rifle and
carbine?
TC 3-22.9 (superceded FM 3-22.9)
Each Soldier is responsible for placing accurate and effective fires
on threat targets with their individual weapons. Name the three “Employment
Skills” discussed in TC 3-22.9 and explain the difference.
(TC 3-22.9, Figure 1-1)
1. Accuracy - the ability to hit a desired target or point of aim
2. Precision - the ability to place a shot group at the desired point of
impact
3. Consistency - the ability to routinely achieve accurate and precise
shots
The safe handling of weapons is built on what three components?
(TC 3-22.9, para 1-2)
1. The Soldier - the Soldier is the primary safety mechanism
for all weapons under his/her control
2. The weapon - the Soldier must know the principles of operation,
including all mechanical safeties
3. The environment - the Soldier must be aware of muzzle
discipline, the nature of the target, and what is behind it
In order to safely and effectively handle weapons, Soldiers
must be cognitively aware of what three distinct weapons handling
measures?
(TC 3-22.9, para 1-3)
- The rules of firearms safety
- Weapons safety status (WSS)
- Weapons control status (WCS)
The “rules of firearms safety” apply to any weapon a Soldier may employ.
What are the four Rules of Firearms Safety?
TC 3-22.9, para 1-6 thru 1-14)
- RULE #1: Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
- RULE #2: Never point the weapon at anything you do not intend to destroy.
- RULE #3: Keep finger straight and off the trigger until ready to fire.
- RULE #4: Ensure positive identification of the target and its surroundings.
What is the most important safety feature on ANY weapon?
The Soldier (operator). (TC 3-22.9, para 1-11)
If a weapon does not have a traditional mechanical SAFE, what becomes the primary safety?
The trigger finger (TC 3-22.9, para 1-12)
Is a Soldier responsible for what lies BEYOND a target?
Yes, the Soldier is responsible for all bullets fired from their weapon, including the projectile’s final destination. (TC
3-22.9, para 1-13)
What is meant by “Weapon Safety Status” (WSS) and how is it coded?
The readiness of a Soldier’s weapon; common colors are used to represent the level of readiness for a given
weapon. (TC 3-22.9, para 1-15)
Explain the three different colors of WSS and what they mean.
(TC 3-22.9, para 1-18 thru 1-20)
1. GREEN - magazine is removed, chamber is empty, bolt is locked open or forward, selector on SAFE
2. AMBER - magazine inserted, chamber empty, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed, selector on SAFE
3. RED - magazine inserted, round in chamber, bolt forward and locked, ejection port cover closed, selector on
SAFE
What is the command given to direct a GREEN safety status? AMBER? RED?
“GREEN AND CLEAR” or “GO GREEN”; “GO AMBER” or “LOAD MAGAZINE”; “GO RED” or “MAKE READY” (TC
3-22.9, para 1-18 thru 1-20; Figure 1-1)
Weapons Control Status (WCS) defines when a firer is authorized to engage a threat target. Describe the three
levels of WCS.
(TC 3-22.9, Table 1-2)
- WEAPONS HOLD - Engage only if engaged or ordered to engage.
- WEAPONS TIGHT - Engage only if target is positively identified as enemy.
- WEAPONS FREE - Engage targets not positively identified as friendly
The Army strives to provide Soldiers with the skills and the tools necessary to create an “overmatch” situation on
the battlefield. What is meant by the term “overmatch?”
“Overmatch” is an “unfair advantage” in favor of the Soldier and is based on the Soldier’s training, the fielding of
equipment that leverages technology, and the application of proper force. (TC 3-22.9, para 1-25)
Describe the M16-/M4-series weapons.
They are lightweight, 5.56-mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired rifles or carbines capable of
firing in a variety of modes, depending on the model. (TC 3-22.9, para 2-1)
The M16- and M4-series weapons consist of what two major components?
The upper receiver and the lower receiver. (TC 3-22.9, para 2-3)
What part of the upper receiver is designed to reduce the signature of the weapon during firing and to reduce barrel
movement off-target during firing?
The “flash hider” or “compensator.” (TC 3-22.9, para 2-4)
An ARS is mounted to the upper receiver. What is an ARS?
Adapter Rail System - it is used to allow the attachment of weapons, aiming devices, and accessories. (TC 3-22.9,
para 2-4; 4-1)
What are some of the primary differences between the M16-series and M4-series weapons?
(TC 3-22.9, Table 2-1)
• The M16A2 fires in the SEMI and 3-round BURST modes and has a 20” barrel.
• The M16A3 is just like the M16A2 but fires in the SEMI and AUTO modes.
• The M16A4 is just like the M16A2 except that it has an M5 Adapter Rail System (ARS) and a detachable carrying
handle.
• The M4 is similar to the M16 in design but has a shorter barrel (14.5”) and shorter handguards, a detachable
carrying handle, and a collapsible (four-position) buttstock. Like the M16A2, it can be fired in the SEMI and
BURST modes.
• The M4A1 is just like the M4 but is fully automatic.
What is meant by the term “cycle of functioning” of a weapon?
It is the mechanical process a weapon follows during operation. (TC 3-22.9, para 2-8)
What are the eight sequential phases of the cycle of functioning of the M16- and M4-series weapons?
(TC 3-22.9, para 2-9)
- Feeding
- Chambering
- Locking
- Firing
- Unlocking
- Extracting
- Ejecting
- Cocking
In order for the weapon to operate correctly, semiautomatic and automatic weapons require a system of operation
to complete the cycle of functioning. What system of operation is used by the M16- and M4-series weapons and how
does it work?
A direct impingement gas operating system; this system uses a portion of the high pressure gas from the cartridge
being fired to physically move the assemblies and subassemblies in order to complete the cycle of function. (TC
3-22.9, para 2-10)
What is the purpose of an “aiming device?”
To align the Soldier, the weapon, and the target to make an accurate and precise shot. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-1)
What are “iron” aiming devices (commonly referred to as “iron sights”)?
This term refers to the various types of mechanical sighting systems and typically consist of a front sight post and a
rear aperture. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-2)
In addition to iron sights, name some other aiming devices in common use today.
Optics (Close Combat Optic (CCO) and Rifle Combat Optic (RCO)), Thermal Weapon Sights (TWS), and laser pointers/
illuminators. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-2)
What are the two units of angular measurement used in the Army?
Mils and Minutes of Angle (MOA) (TC 3-22.9, para 3-3)
What is a MOA and what is it most commonly used for?
Minute of Angle = an angular unit of measurement equal to 1/60th of a degree. It is most commonly used to describe
the distance of change required when zeroing a weapon. One degree has 60 MOA. There are 360 degrees in a
circle, so there are 60x360 or 21,600 MOAs in a circle. One MOA equals 1.047 inches per 100 yards. (TC 3-22.9, para
3-4 and 3-5; Figure 3-1)
What is a “mil” and what is it most commonly used for?
It is a common unit of angular measurement used in direct fire and indirect fire applications. One degree has 17.78
mils. There are 360 degrees in a circle, so there are 17.78x360 or 6400 mils in a circle. (TC 3-22.9, Figure 3-2)
What is a “reticle?”
A series of fine lines in the eyepiece of an optic (such as a CCO, RCO, or TWS) used as a measuring scale with
included aiming or alignments points. Reticles use either mils or MOAs for their unit of measurement. (TC 3-22.9, para
3-8)
What is a “stadiametric reticle?”
Also known as “stadia reticles” or “choke sights” and commonly used in thermal weapon sights, this form of reticle
provides a means of rapidly determining the approximate range to a target based on its standard dimensions. (TC
3-22.9, para 3-9)
The iron sight rear aperture on the M16- and M4-series weapons is embedded in the carrying handle (which may or
may not be removable depending on the model) and has what two selectable apertures? What are they used for?
(TC 3-22.9, para 3-20)
• Small aperture: used for zeroing procedures and for mid- and extended-range engagements.
• Large aperture: used during limited visibility, close quarters, and for moving targets at close- or mid-range.
What is a BUIS and where is it installed?
Back Up Iron Sight. It is a semi-permanent flip-up rear aperture that can be installed on the ARS when the handle
is removed. It is installed on the first notch of the integrated rail, nearest to the charging handle. (TC 3-22.9, para
3-22/23)
Describe the M68 CCO.
The M68 Close Combat Optic is a non-telescopic (unmagnified) reflex sight that provides a red dot aiming point
and allows for one or both eyes to remain open. No centering or focusing on the front sight post is required. (TC
3-22.9, para 3-24/25)
The M68 CCO is zeroed to a specific weapon. What should you remember to do if you must remove the M68 for
any reason?
Record the serial number and the rail slot number it was installed in when zeroed. You should re-zero if you install a
different M68 on your weapon or if you install the same one but in a different rail slot. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-26)
The M68 CCO has a lot of advantages over the standard iron sights, but what is the main disadvantage?
It lacks a Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) or other means to determine accurate range to targets beyond 200m.
(TC 3-22.9, para 3-29)
Describe the RCO.
The M150 Rifle Combat Optic is a lightweight, rugged, fast and accurate 4x power optic scope specifically designed
to allow the Soldier to keep both eyes open while engaging targets, which is important to maintaining maximum situational
awareness. It has a reticle that allows for quick target acquisition from close combat ranges, and bullet drop
compensation for targets out to 800-m. It also incorporates dual-illuminated technology, using fiber optics for daytime
employment and tritium for low-light usage. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-33/34)
What are the main disadvantages of the RCO?
The ocular view is limited for close-quarter engagements and the reticle does not include stadia lines so windage
must be applied by the shooter. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-37/38)
What is the main difference between a Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) and optic sights?
Thermal sights do not actually “see” anything in the field of view. They create a digital representation of the scene
by translating differences in temperature into a gray- or color-scaled image. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-41)
What is the advantage of thermal weapon sights over optical sights?
Since thermal weapon sights do not actually “see” the environment, they are capable of target acquisition under
conditions of limited visibility such as darkness, smoke, fog, and haze, and operate equally well during both day and
night operations. (TC 3-22.9, para 3-41)
