b. The marker moves the disk out of alignment. The pupil takes position and directs the marker to move the disk until the bottom of the bull's-eye is in correct alignment with the sights. The coach then looks through the sights to see if the alignment is correct.

c. The coach aligns the sights on the bull's-eye with various slight errors to determine whether or not the pupil can detect them.

8. Third sighting and aiming exercise.-a. The object of this exercise is to show the importance of uniform and correct aiming, and to instill into the mind a sense of exactness. At 50 feet and with a small bull's-eye, a man should be able to place all three marks so that they could be covered by the unsharpened end of a lead pencil. (See Pl. 3.)

b. This exercise is conducted as follows: The rifle, with the sights blackened, is placed in a rifle rest and pointed at a blank sheet of paper mounted on a box. The pupil takes the position illustrated and looks through the sights without touching the rifle or rifle rest. The pupil directs the marker, by command or improvised signals, to move the disk until the bottom of the bull's-eye is in correct alignment with the sights, and then commands: HOLD, to the marker. The coach then looks through the sights to see if the alignment is correct. Then, without saying anything

Plate 4.

to the pupil, he commands: MARK, to the marker. The marker, without moving the disk, makes a dot on the paper with a sharp-pointed pencil inserted through the hole in the center of the bull's-eye. The marker then moves the disk to change the alignment. The pupil and coach, without touching the rifle or rifle rest, repeat this operation until three dots, numbered 1, 2, 3, respectively, have been made. These dots are then joined together to form a triangle and the pupil's name written under it. The size and shape of the triangle will be discussed and the errors pointed out. This exercise will be repeated until proficiency is attained.

c. This exercise should also be held, during the period of the preparatory training, at 200 yards on a 10-inch movable bull's-eye (see Pl. 4), and if time permits, at 500 yards on a 20-inch movable bull's-eye. These long-range triangle exercises teach the men to aim accurately at a distant bull's-eye, the outlines of which are indistinct.

If the exercise is properly handled it helps greatly to sustain interest in the work. At 200 yards a man should be able to make a triangle that can be covered with a silver dollar, and at 500 yards a triangle no side of which is over 2 inches long.

d. Tissue paper will be used to copy off each pupil's triangle at long range. The name of the pupil making the triangle will be written on the tissue paper under the triangle. These tracings are sent back to the firing line so that the pupil can see what he has done. The squad leader will turn over all triangles to the platoon leader for his inspection.

e. The sighting and aiming exercises, especially the 200-yard triangle work, will be carried on during the time devoted to the second and third step. The purpose of continuing these exercises is to bring backward men up to the proper state of proficiency and to assist in keeping the men interested.

f. Competition between the individuals of a squad, to see which one can make the smallest triangle, is of value in creating interest in this exercise.

9. Importance. Correct position is of great importance in teaching men to shoot. Instruction in position involves blackening the sights, use of the gun sling, taking up the slack, the correct manner of holding the breath, aiming and the use of the aiming device.

10. Blackening the sights. In all preparatory exercises involving aiming and in all range firing, both sights of the rifle will be blackened. The blackening is done by holding each sight for a few seconds in the point of a small flame, which is one of such a nature that a smooth uniform coating of lampblack will be deposited on the metal. There are a number of materials which give a flame of the right nature for this purpose. Among the most commonly used are: A candle, a piece of camphor, a wax match, a piece of pine wood full of pitch, a small piece of shoe paste, a rag saturated with any kind of oil. Some device must be provided to protect the flame from the wind.

11. Gun sling.a. The gun sling is of great assistance in shooting. It helps to steady the rifle, presses the butt of the rifle against the shoulder with the same amount of force for each shot and reduces the effect of the recoil.

b. Each man will be assisted by the instructor in adjusting his sling, which will be habitually carried with this adjustment. The gun sling will be tightened by means of the lower loop for drill or parade purposes without changing the adjustment of the

upper loop. In a firing position, the sling should be as tight as it can be made and still allow the man to get into it readily. A properly adjusted sling will feel uncomfortable until the muscles of the arm become accustomed to the pressure.

c. There are two authorized methods of adjusting the sling-the "loop" adjustment and the "hasty sling" adjustment. The hasty sling is more rapidly adjusted than the loop sling, but it gives less support in positions other than the standing position. In range firing the loop sling will be used at all ranges except 200 yards standing. The hasty sling will be used on the range in the standing position at 200

yards. Instruction will be given in both sling adjustments. All men will be required to use one or the other form of gun-sling adjustment when firing or simulating fire in all problems and maneuvers.

(1) The loop adjustment.-(See Pl. 5.)

(a) Loosen lower loop.

(b) Put left arm through upper loop from right to left, so that the upper loop

is near the shoulder and well above the biceps muscle.

(c) Pull leather keeper down so that it will hold the upper loop in place.

(d) Move the left hand over the top of the gun sling and grasp the rifle near the lower band swivel so as to cause the sling to lie smoothly along the hand and wrist.

(e) Lower loop, not used in this adjustment, will be so loose as to prevent any pull upon it.

(b) Grasp the rifle just in rear of the lower band swivel with the left hand and grasp the small of the stock with the right hand.

(c) Throw the sling to the left and catch it above the elbow and high on the

arm.

(d) Remove the left hand from the rifle, pass the left hand under the sling, then over the sling and regrasp the rifle with the left hand so as to cause the sling to lie along the hand and wrist.

The sling may be given one half turn to the left and then adjusted. This twisting causes the sling to lie smoothly along the hand and wrist. (See Pl. 7.)

12. Taking up the slack. The slack is the first movement of the trigger which takes place when light pressure is applied. Taking up the slack is part of the position exercise, because this play must be taken up by the finger as soon as the correct position is assumed and before careful aiming is commenced. The entire amount of slack in the trigger is taken up by one firm pressure of the finger. If the slack is taken up by a slow gradual pressure the pupil can not know when the entire amount of slack has been taken up.

13. Holding the breath.-a. Holding the breath in the proper manner, while aiming, is very important. It will be found that a large proportion of men in any