US Army Infantry School - Doughboy Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

Page 40 text:

RIFLE AND RIUSKETRY SECTION C.-xPT.x1N XV. G. L.xYAI.xx, Clzivf of Rifle C.XI'TIXIN 0. M. AIOORE, Iuxfrzzvtor Sertiuu C.xI'T.xIN L. B. GI..xsO0u', IlISfl'IlL'f01' CAPTAIN E. O. SANIILIN, Clzicf of Jlzrskvlry ZND LIEUT. XV. E. CRIST, Insfrzivfoi' Section IST LIEUT. G. F. HERBERT, Ill5fI'1lCf0l' ZND LIEUT. XV. R. BREwsTE1z, Ill.S'fl'lll'l'UI'. IST LIEUT. I. M. XVHAYNE, Irzstriivfoi' IST LIEUT. T. M, McL.xIIoRE, lzzslrzzflur, IST l..IEL'T. P. M. McR.'xE,. Ifzsiruvfoi' IST LIEUT. A. G. :XNDERS-ON, Iizrtrzzvfor Greater stress is laid on the latter consideration at the Infantry School. In other words. regarding the automatic rifle as a gas engine, the student is taught how to operate and care for this engine before Marksmanship is considered. Some Marksmanship ability is presupposed as the student has already completed a course in Ride Marksmanship. Therefore, stress is laid on the mechanics of the weapon, the functioning of its parts, D the methods of care, preservation and inspection and, in general, on the knowledge essential to insuring the unfailing operation of the riHe. Marksmanship, to the extent that time permits, is taught by a course on the range, which begins with the 1000-inch range work and progresses through known distance practice on the A range, and Ends its final application under simulated combat conditions of the B range during the work in Musketry.

Page 39 text:

Q fel - e, AUTOMATIC RIFLE SECTION C.xv'I'.x1N R. L. l-l L7N'l'ER,, Chief of Svfiimz IST LIEUT. R. C. S.xNI1EIIs, Ilzslrzzrlm' IST l,lliL'T. C. P. CL'I.I.I-:N, lzzstruclor The methods of obtaining firing data and fire adjustments- technique of tire -are identical for both weapons as are also certain portions of the cart drill. A characteristic of the 37 MM Gun and the Mortar upon which the technique Of fire is based is that the tire of these guns can always be Observed. lnasmuch as best results are obtained by taking full advantage of this characteristic, considerable practice is necessary in obtaining data, opening fire quickly, and adjusting fire by observation. Following this principle, con- siderable field firing is included in the course of instruction for both weapons. The student officers have an opportunity at this time to practice the duties of each member of the gun crews during firing, to observe the functioning of the pieces and secure a working knowledge of their capabilities and limitations from a tactical standpoint. AUTOMATIC RIFLE SECTION In IQI6, the War Department, realizing the necessity of increasing the fire power of assault units, decided to adopt an automatic rifle and a board was appointed for that purpose. In response to a request of this board, the Browning Automatic Ride, model of IQI8, was invented in January 1917, by Mr. John M. Browning, of Ogden, Utah. - The primary mission of the automatic rifle is to increase the Ere power of the assault units-particularly the fire power of the squad. The development of this comparatively enormous fire power is dependent on training in two phases, first, marksmanship ability with the automatic rifle, second, the mechanical knowledge that enables the gunner to keep the automatic ride functioning under combat conditions.

Page 41 text:

B.-xroxni' Sizcriox C-WTMN J. F. S'ri:,x1N, Chief uf Surliuzr IST I,.nai r. J. A. N1ci1oLs, Izzslrizufor IST LIEUT. Fu' SMITH, Iflslrzzrttu' IST l.lliL'T. XY. P. SI-iizifiilzizim, Iusfrucloz' Rirrig AND ML'sKi5'1'RY SECTION The purpose of the course in Rilie Marksmansliip at the Infantry School is first: To make instructors by following exactly 'the methods laid down in the Marlcsmanship Manual, and Second: To make good shots and give at least all junior officers an opportunity to fire the record course. During the four days devoted by all classes to the preparatory exercises, every phase of the Marksmanship Manual was carried out as thoroughly as possible, special attention being paid to organizing the work and to methods ot instruction. Each step is preceded by a lecture and a demonstration, after which the class itself actually carries out the work as it has been discussed and demonstrated. The student is impressed with the fact that the work in Rilie Marksmanship is so organized that exactly the same methods used at the School can be employed in handling either small bodies of men in organizations or the larger classes at summer training camps. Time did not permit the advanced class to tire the record course. The Company Officers' Class of two hundred and eighty-three students, and the National Guard and Reserve Officers' class of fifty-eight students Fired the regular qualification course and made a record never before equaled at this School, every single man in both classes qualifying.