What can I expect as far as weapons training at FT Benning?

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SC4006

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So a couple of months ago I enlisted for the NH Army National Guard, and I decided to go with 11B (Infantry/Rifleman) as my MOS. I'll be going to FT Benning for infantry OSUT (one station unit training - basic training and AIT combined) for 14 weeks, and I was wondering what I can expect as far as the weapons training. I know most of it will involve being VERY familiar with the M16 platform, but what other weapons will I be using? I was also wondering how tough, or easy qualification is. I've heard to get "expert" you need to hit something like 35 out of 40 targets, some being as far as 300 meters out.

BTW I leave in about a week :eek:, so I'm quite nervous, but I am really looking forward to how it will change me in a positive way.
 
I can only speak as to the way it was when I was in basic (1988). We only qualified with the M16 and grenades. Basic qualifying with the M16 is easy if you have any skill and follow instructions. When I was in you had to hit 38 out of 40 to qualify expert. And yes, many of the targets are 300 meters. I was 1 of only 2 in my entire company that did it.

Out side of qualifying, we also got to handle and shoot M60's and M203 grenade launchers. I had a different MOS so I can't speak to your AIT training. I'm sure things have changed a lot since I was in. Good luck!
 
a few magazines through the m16 and a few dummy grenades. Good chance youll get a few magazines through an m4 carbine as well.

MIGHT get to play with the m60 and m2
 
I did OSUT at Benning in 1990. I'm sure a lot has changed.

Current Army standard to qualify expert with the M16/M4 is 36/40. 23 is a minimum score to qualify. You can expect to handle your individual weapon for weeks before they actually let you fire it, and you'll disassemble and reassemble it thousands of times. After firing blanks or live ammo, you'll clean it and present it to the armorer and be sent back three more times to "get it clean". When the time allocated for weapons cleaning is completed, then everybody's weapon will suddenly become clean enough.

In 1990 the we qualified only on the individual weapons and bayonet course. Everything else was familarization (grenades, M60, M249). The POI may have changed to include additional systems for qualification... I really don't know. You will have ample opportunity to fire your individual weapon and a few of the others... and will probably throw a total of two live hand grenades. other times you'll get stuck humping a machine gun for miles on end with no opportunity to shoot it. for some reason, we never saw an M2, but that may have changed in the past 24 years.

If you're lucky, you'll get assigned to the battalion closest to the Malone Range Complex so you don't have to walk as far to training. if you're really unlucky, you'll be close to the Sand Hill PX.....cause we never got to go there anyway, and you're furthest from the ranges so you have to walk farther.

When we tranisitioned from Basic Training to AIT, we were a few days into it before they informed us of the change. we didn't get any additional privledges out of the deal, though. Almost all of the training is on the individual level... although there will be some collective events in your last few weeks, as it's difficult to demonstrate a squad ambush for instance without the participation of the whole squad.

well... that's about it for now until someone else chimes in and jogs my memory.
 
Ok, a few more thoughts.

First, as an 11B, you'll do much more weapons training that other MOSs do. Earlier I failed to mention the M203. You'll likely get a lot of that too, but you probably won't actually shoot it much. That's pretty common with most of the systems you encounter: you'll disassemble and reassemble them a lot, and you'll tote them even more, but you won't actually shoot em that much. Ammo is expensive.

The M16/M4 qualification course of fire has changed in the past few years to reflect GWOT realities and has added the kneeling position table (10 of 40 rounds). This I'm sure makes qualifying expert somewhat more difficult. (I've been assigned an M9 since 2003 and have not qualified with a rifle/carbine since then so I really can't state with conviction).

As far as weapons training goes, keep your mind and concentrate on what's being taught. The Army does a great job at teaching marksmanship to Soldiers who are interested in it... So listen well and implement the lessons your drill sergeants are teaching. You get out of it what you put into it.... Soldiers that are into weapons stay proficient, while those who see marksmanship as a necessary evil struggle to even qualify just one year later. Not many 11Bs fit that latter category though.

So.... No need to be nervous. Be resolved instead, be resolved to self improvement and doing the right thing. Do what you're told to the best of your ability and keep your mouth shut... There'll be plenty of dumb-*#%es that can't keep their mouths shut and can't stand being dissed....let them catch the heat while you take advantage of the training. Keep a good attitude and you'll look back and recognize later how easy it really was. Be a leader by setting an example for others to follow. Give 100% in everything you do and encourage others to do the same.

Back on topic for a gun forum.... If you're a gun guy, then 11B is the MOS for you.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, especially Tom68! Yep, the fact that I am a gun guy did definitely play a part in picking 11B. Nothing else really interested me as much as being a rifleman. I certainly know at times it can be very dangerous, ie being deployed, but overall I think i'll like it. I know at first the drill sergeants might be a little scary, but I just keep reminding myself now that they're only going to be doing what they do to help us.

As far as the weapons, I hope it's changed in that I get to fire more of the weapons, rather than just being familiar with and lugging them around. I've heard nowadays they include the AT4 rocket launcher as part of the training, that should be interesting if true.

BTW Tom, just out of curiosity are you active duty, guard, or reserve?
 
Yeah, i forgot about the AT4. We shot them with 9mm subcal inserts (shoots a 9mm tracer round at approximately the same trajectory as an AT4 rocket). DS demonstrated firing a live round but none of the trainees got to shoot one. we also trained on the LAW which is now out of the inventory. after this many years it's tough to recall whether a particular event happened during OSUT or IOBC, as they were only about 3 years apart. I don't recall shooting the Mk 19 during OSUT, but in IOBC we shot it and the M2 a fair amount.

I'm guard, been AGR over 10 years and counting, with one tour in Iraq 2007-2008 and just got home two months ago from a tour in Kuwait. I spent my first 10 years in the infantry as a traditional NG Soldier and moved on after company command.
 
Went through OSUT as a 12B at Ft Leonard Wood in 1991. Of course we had the M16 and grenade qualifications(only threw a couple of them live, rest were inert or had caps in them). Most of the time spent with the M16 was familiarization, disassembly, assembly, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I got to the point I hated cleaning it hours on end. Bayonet course.

Other weapons we were exposed to were the Claymore(actually a lot on the claymore). Only got to fire live Claymores as a group. We also had land mine qualification class. Fired the rifle rounds through the AT4. Probably fired a M60a time or two. Did a lot with learning ring mains, blasting caps,c4, shape charges, etc. Don't know if you get that as 11B.

When I got to my unit qualified and/or shot the M60, M203 grenade launcher on the M16A2, 50 cal, LAW rocket which was being phased out, and we also had 90MM recoilless rifle which was heavy as all get out. Shot 7.62 rounds through it to qualify. They phased it out early on as well.

Probably missing something and I am sure it has changed somewhat.
 
I did Basic at Ft. Dix, N.J. and several years later I did AIT for 12F, Engineer Tracked Vehicle Crewman at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I did many of the things Herdman did, ropes, knots, demolitions, bridges, plus I got to fool around with the Engineer Tanks, the AVLB Bridge Tank and the M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle which was rather beastie I felt :D

I have one thing to add, never let on that you already know something about guns. Let the drills figure that out all on their own, if it's there, they'll see it. But if you volunteer it then they may see it as you being a "know it all" and they see these guys all the time. They might see this is something that is getting in the way of them teaching you the Army Way to do things. I can't say the Army Way is the best way, but it sure is the only way they want to hear about. just keep yourself to yourself and let them see what shines out all on it's own, it'll be better for you and you'll appreciate any good comments from your Drills all the more.

Congratulations, you are on your way to becoming a crunchy. Crunchy is slang for foot soldier, if you happen to be a DAT which is short for Tanker :D

You are going to have no fun, some fun, some change. Look forward to it, don't expect too much, it's a process.

Thank You for carrying on.
 
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The thing to remember about OSUT is that the AIT part is with all the same drill sgts. No break from the that. In fact, they busted our hind ends more when the AIT phase started. I was there 17 weeks I think.
 
To be Young again,

There are so many cool weapons today that were not even a dream in my days. I'd love to have the chance to go back and get trained on all of them.

Thank you for your plans to serve our Country and for serving your State as well. That takes Courage and the desire to do good.
 
Here are a few words that will get your military career off to a good start. Shut your mouth and listen to your DIs. The fact you are on this forum indicates you are a "barrel sucker". Nothing wrong with that, but at Basic Training there is only one way.... the ARMY way. Basic Training is NOT the time to be sensitive, innovative or create new or better ways to do things. Be thick skinned, listen to your DIs and not the barracks experts. Don't try to be Rambo, be a blank slate and absorb it all. You can modify things later when you are with your unit.

What you will be learning are systems and processes (basic infantry tactics) so that every 11B does exactly the same. Learn the systems well and they will keep you alive. You will handle your weapons (M16) a lot but may not fire much. Remember that many are new to weapons so safety is the first drill. You will hear over and over about muzzle discipline. You may eventually get blanks to practice clearing for when you go into the dinning hall, barracks etc. Believe it or not people still AD into the clearing barrels because they forget.... remove magazine first then cycle action.

Here is a tip for when you get to the range... know your lane (pop ups). It is often hard to know what is yours vs the lane next to you. Hitting low and knocking it down with a skip is also better than shooting high and over the target. The course is not real hard, it just takes getting used to shooting with all the battle rattle on. Object is to qualify... you will do the majority of your learning at your unit.

Memorize your serial number, battle zero and keep your weapon within arms reach at all times (your DIs may test this by trying to take it). There are some Army basic infantry publications out there that will help you get a head start. Also helpful are some basic field craft manuals to help you with life in the filed. Many of these can be found in the military clothing sales store.

Learn the Army Values, understand what they mean and live them. Welcome to the Profession of Arms!

COL B
 
I went through Benning mid 80s( Harmony Church - bulldozed now). Find the PDF on BRM - Basic Rifle Marksmanship. http://www.ut.ngb.army.mil/campwill.../Weapons/fm3_22x9c4 (M16 qual w change 4).pdf
You will learn some of the manual. Our M16s were old and abused - who knows how many times dropped or how they had been handled - nobody lit up qualification. I remember the day I received a brand new (never touched by anyone besides me M16A2) - couldn't miss and fired expert for the first time (39/40). But back to Benning - you are not getting the best training on marksmanship - they just need to get you to qualify. Learn the section on 25M zero. And know what the drop is for the rounds at the distances you will shoot at 50-300 meters when I was in. You'll get to shoot in NBC gear and night fire also. Remember Infantry 1st priority of work - weapons maint. I don't know the quality of weapons you will have - but some things I always did to help - smoked my front sight post (burned mre spoon) I would use sight paint today. I would run and do some push-ups to burn off nervous energy before qualifying. One last thing - hold the trigger back for a second on each shot (great follow through). Wish you the best.
 
HOW to exist

Headed off to basic. Good for you young man. Others have answered your questions on shooting. Mine will be tips to exist in comfort:
1. Always keep a positive attitude
2. Always keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open
3. Do not try to draw any attention to yourself
4. Your goal is to let all of the dumb guys take the heat - they will step up
5. You have done a good job when the TI has to read your nametag to remember your name at the end of the training

Best of luck to you & thanks in advance for your service.

The Strawstalker, behind the lines in Liberal Colorado
 
A little late, but thank you everyone for the helpful responses, it will definitely help. I leave tomorrow and am cherishing the last day with my family for a few months, and also the things I sort of take for granted like my own room, bed, electronics, etc. Thanks again guys, I think I'll do just fine.
 
Best of luck to you. When you get home, resurrect this thread and let all us old timers know what's changed.
 
Best of luck to you!

Thanks for stepping up.

My best advice would be this: All the yelling at you is nothing personal: the Drill Sergeant does not know you, your mother, father, or your hometown, though he might (likely will) insult any or all of them. He does not hate you. He's trying to stress you, to make you tougher than you knew you were.

To help you succeed, remind yourself that no matter how bad the situation you are in is, worse things have happened to better people, and they sucked it up and drove on. You can, too.

I am sure Basic has changed a bit since I went through (Ronald Reagan was President!) Fort Sill .... tell us about it when you are done.

Thanks again for stepping up,
-jimbob86
 
Thanks for being a normal American and stepping up to protect us. I can't help witht he question. I think it may have changed since I was there 40+ years ago.
 
Sorry, I have to throw this in having served 4 years active duty in the USAF.

Be sure to do some sort of active duty assignment during your enlistment. It qualifies you for VA benefits. I recently talked with a friend that was in the Guard for ten years, but because he never took an assignment that counted, he doesn't have the benefits.

Also note that your DD214 counts as training should you ever want something from the CMP.;)
 
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