The Army’s new training progression for individual weapons involves six tables. Throughout this page and the ones that follow it, I’ll go into great detail about the requirements for each table, but for a quick reference, see my BLUF page.
For a quick video reference, please see the following video. (note – this video is the product of the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, GA. If you’re viewing this on a government network, it’s likely that Youtube is blocked. The actual address is https://youtu.be/IkZQIUYq_-Q
Both the MCoE and the Army Marksmanship Unit post fantastic videos on shooting and Marksmanship topics that I highly recommend. However, this site is not affiliated in any way with the US Army or the MCoE).
TABLES OVERVIEW
Table I: This table begins the crawl phase of the training plan. During this table, Soldiers receive preliminary marksmanship instruction and evaluations, also known as PMI&E. After a block of instruction, Soldiers should be able to demonstrate how to safely and effectively manipulate their weapons system, including such skills as unloading and showing clear, familiarity with the four primary shooting positions, and how to clear a malfunction. Soldiers will be assessed by their performance on these tasks, as well as by a short (20 questions) test.
Table II: Table two is the second crawl phase of the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS). In this phase, Soldiers engage with virtual training aids in what are referred to as Pre-Live-Fire Simulations, or PLFS. The PLFS phase would use training aids such as the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) to digitally rehearse key firing tasks.
Table III: Table III begins the ‘walk’ phase of the IWTS. Drills may include the use of blank ammunition, and this phase should also be used as concurrent training future ranges. Successful completion of Table III is required prior to any live fire event. Tasks in this phase include rehearsing the skills learned in table I, along with new skills, such as ‘fighting down’ – moving from standing to kneeling to prone – and ‘fighting up’ – moving back up again.
Table IV: This is the second walk phase. In this phase, Soldiers conduct the course of fire using live ammunition on an authorized live fire facility. This table occurs at a reduced tempo to allow Soldiers to practice and master the previously learned weapons manipulation skills.
Table V: This phase starts the run phase. Table V, the practice phase, uses live ammunition on an authorized live fire facility. While it is not required to be compliant with the IWTS, it is strongly encouraged. The expectation is that table V is actually significantly more challenging than the actual qualification (table VI). Commanders and Range OICs and RSOs should push their Soldiers to safely execute critical skills in a rapid, challenging order and manner so as to build confidence and mastery with the weapons system.
Table VI: This is the qualification table. In this table, Soldiers will execute the Army Record Course of Fire. This table uses live ammunition on an authorized live fire facility. This table occurs at combat speed, but is designed to be a step easier than table V – by this table, Soldiers should be familiar with their weapons system, the course of fire, and how exactly to execute the holds and platform transitions required.
The tables listed above can be grouped into two groups: prerequisite events and live-fire events.
Uniform
For table I, the standard OCP duty uniform is suggested; for tables II – VI, however, Soldiers should wear their combat uniform, along with all required personal protective equipment and load carrying equipment as specified by the Commander.
Skills
Training Circular 3-20.40, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION – INDIVIDUAL WEAPONS breaks down individual weapons drills from TC 3-22.9, RIFLE AND CARBINE across each table as they’re first trained and then reinforced.
Round Robin Example
TC 3-20.40 describes an example of how tables I, II and III might be accomplished in one training day. These tables constitute the dry-fire and simulated weapons skills tables.
The TC also provides an example of how tables IV, V and VI might be executed in one training day for maximum efficiency:
Condemnation Criteria
Condemnation Criteria refer to those events – other than time – that can cause an individual or a unit to lose their proficiency ratings. In the following example graphic, I’ve highlighted the section that refers to condemnation criteria. For more on this, please click here.
Please continue on to the following links to better understand each table individually.
The Integrated Weapons Training Strategy Explained 