FORT KNOX, KY. – 153 Cadets completed Basic Rifle Marksmanship (BRM) on May 31 at Morgan Riley. BRM was the first time the Cadets got to practice shooting their weapons.
“This form of training is your initial chance to zero your weapon to your own eye,” said cadre member Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Tripp. “Our weapons go through so many people so this is a very important step for adjusting the sights to your eye.”
Cadet Chelsea Adams,University of West Florida, practices lining up her weapon before a practice qualification at Morgan Riley Range on Fort Knox, Ky., May 31. Cadets practice at a live fire range to prepare for weapons qualification. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
Cadets shot five rounds from 25 meters away with their M4 rifles. Their weapons had no scope, and they had to rely on their own sight and aim to shoot the stationary target.
“Today’s training was pretty challenging because most people aren’t used to firing a weapon,” said Cadet Jalen Carter of Alpha Company 2nd Platoon from Alcorn University.
Prior to BRM, Cadets familiarize themselves with their weapons through Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI). PMI teaches Cadets about their weapons and how to properly use them.
“This is good knowledge because these guys are going to be officers, and they need to know how to show their enlisted soldiers how to properly conduct this range and get all their guys on target,” Tripp said.
Cadet Elizabeth Marsteller, University of South Carolina lines up and fires her weapon at Morgan Riley Range on Fort Knox, Ky., May 31 during a practice qualification. Cadets practice at a live fire range to prepare for weapons qualification. (Photo by Mattie Cook)
The purpose of BRM is to prepare the Cadets for the qualification course. The Cadets will be shooting pop-up targets from 50 meters to 300 meters. They must qualify 23 of the 40 targets in order to graduate from Cadet Summer Training (CST).
“I feel like this is going to further me with my leadership skills and I’ll be able to teach the next mission class as far as what I’ve learned today about qualifying,” Carter said.
