Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. (August 2, 2024): It is ironic that military recruits with previous firearms experience are often at a disadvantage to those who have never held a gun in their life. In this photo by Sergeant First Class Shane Smith, Specialist Jamie Zenker, center, engages targets to “zero in” or adjust her weapon’s sights. The advantage novice shooters have is not having any bad habits to unlearn. Youngsters who grew up hunting with firearms develop tendencies that pose a genuine problem when firing today’s precision rifles.

Those experienced with shotguns or high-powered civilian rifles anticipate the “kick” or recoil of these weapons, for example, which interferes with accurately firing weapons like the M-16 or M-4. But this isn’t the only issue. Self-trained marksmen tend to violate one of the four key components of proper marksmanship: steady position, aiming, breath control, and trigger squeeze.

Steady position refers to adopting a stance and grip that creates a stable firing platform.

The body position and hold should give the shooter a relaxed grip yet be firm enough to support the weapon. Aiming involves pointing the weapon to develop a “sight picture” of the target using the front and rear sights. It is important to place one’s cheek on the rifle stock in the same location every time to obtain a reliable “picture” in your sights.

Perhaps the most challenging obstacle for novice shooters is controlling their breathing. Recruits are often encouraged to take a series of deep breaths before aiming their weapon. This sudden burst of oxygen sharpens vision and keeps you alert while relaxing the nerves. The optimal moment to pull the trigger is when your breathing cycle reaches a natural pause, like at the end of an exhale.

When pulling the trigger, the shooter must guard against forced breathing or jerky movements that can quickly mess up the shot. The goal is to apply pressure steadily on the trigger such that the weapon’s firing comes as a surprise.

The military is always looking for folks who can shoot. Ironically, no experience is preferred.