Task 1: Locate a Target by Shift From a Known Point

TEST CONDITIONS: During daylight hours, given a lensatic compass, binoculars with mils scale, a 3- by 5-inch card indicating the distance and direction to the known point, a topographical map with the observer's location and the known point marked, and a target.

TEST STANDARDS:

1. Determine the Observer-Target direction within +/- 100 mils of the actual direction (expressed to the nearest 10 mils of the actual direction) using the lensatic compass azimuth sighting feature.

2. Announce the lateral shift from the known point to the target (expressed to the nearest 10 meters) using the binocular mils scale and the OT factor determined by the distance to the known point. The announced lateral shift must be within 6 degrees x 18 mils x range of the actual lateral shift. (R = the distance to the known point divided by 1,000)

3. Announce the range change from the known point to the target (expressed to the nearest 100 meters) comparing the map to what is observed through the binoculars. The announced range change must be to within 20 percent of the actual distance to the target.

4. Complete steps 1 through 3 within 3 minutes.

SOLDIER'S MANUAL CROSSWALK: This task is based on task number 061-283-1004 in STP 7-11BCHM14-SM-TG and FM 6-30 Tactics, Techniques, Procedures for Observed Fire and is modified to reflect the following standards: candidates must use a lensatic compass.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR POINT: Binoculars, a 3- by 5-inch card indicating the distance and direction to the known point, target, field table, pencil, stopwatch, clipboard, and FB Form 20-11-R.

SITE SETUP: The site depends on the space available. A scaled target area is provided. Provide an unobstructed view of the target and known point at the site, with the direction and distance to the known point indicated, binoculars, lensatic compass, and a 3- by 5-inch card placed on a field table.

If there are any questions, you may repeat the instructions but you may not elaborate on what you have read.

"Begin."

Allow the candidate to proceed for 3 minutes.

"Stop."

Task 1: Adjust Indirect Fire

TEST CONDITIONS: During daylight, given a 1:50,000-scale map sheet of the target area, protractor, binoculars, radio (set on proper frequency), lensatic compass, pencils, the grid location of friendly troops, five indirect rounds (notional), and a target.

REFERENCE: FM 6-30 Tactics, Techniques, Procedures for Observed Fire

1. Formulate and transmit a call-for-fire using proper radiotelephone procedures, in proper sequence, within 3 minutes.

a. Locate the target by grid coordinates (within 250 meters of the target location).

b. Determine the direction to the target within +/- 100 mils (expressed to the nearest 10 mils)

c. Transmit the call-for-fire to the FDC on the fire direction net using the four essential elements of the call-for-fire:

Observer identification.

Warning order.

Target location (grid).

Target description.

d. Complete the above tasks in sequence within 3 minutes of target identification.

2. Adjust fire onto target using the successive bracketing method.

a. Spot each round when it impacts as over, short, right, or left of the target.

b. Determine deviation and range corrections, ignoring deviation corrections of less than 30 meters.

c. Transmit corrections to the FDC within 30 seconds of splitting the range bracket until a 100-meter bracket is split or a range correct spotting is observed.

d. Request fire for effect.

3. Observe the results of fire for effect, and transmit refinement (if necessary), end of mission, and surveillance.

NOTE: If pneumatic device is used and it is not accurate, the candidate will not be penalized.

Pause for 5 seconds.

"Begin."

Allow the candidate to proceed for 30 seconds.

"Stop."

SOLDIER'S MANUAL CROSSWALK: This task does not differ from task number 061-283-6003 found in STP 21-24-SMCT.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR POINT: Map sheets, protractors, binoculars, radio, lensatic compass, stopwatch, mortar firing simulator (type to be determined by the unit) or puff board, 60/81-mm pneumatic mortar, field table, pencil, and FB Form 20-12-R.

SITE SETUP: The site depends on the firing device used. If a pneumatic or subcaliber device is used, a scaled target area is provided. Other devices that adequately test the observer's skill, to include a series of graphics depicting the impact of rounds, or a puff board with a pointer stick may be used. Scratch paper and pencil should be provided. The scorer points out the known point and the target.

"Let me have your attention. At this point, you are required to adjust indirect fire. You will formulate a call-for-fire using the grid coordinate method of locating the target. This call-for-fire must be submitted to the fire direction center (FDC) within 3 minutes after the target has been designated. I will begin timing when the round impacts with the ground and stop when the complete correction has been transmitted to the FDC. If you exceed 30 seconds on any adjustment, I will stop you and terminate the mission. You must prepare and submit this call-for-fire in sequence using proper radiotelephone procedures. The initial call-for-fire must bring the round to within 250 meters of the target. A maximum of five rounds may be used and the fifth round, fire for effect, must land within 50 meters of the target. When I say, Begin, you will have 3 minutes to make your initial call-for-fire and 30 seconds for each correction. You must fire for effect by the fifth correction. Do you understand what you must do?"

Pause for 5 seconds.

If there are any questions, you may repeat the instructions but you may not elaborate on what you have read.)

Pause for 5 seconds.

"Begin."

Allow the candidate to proceed for 3 minutes.

"Stop."

If the call-for-fire was formulated in proper sequence to the FDC, the scorer allows the candidate to continue the mission.

Pause for 5 seconds.

"You have 30 seconds for each round to announce your complete correction to the FDC."