Weapons Qualification Firing Positions

The four positions you'll use during M4 qualification at BMT. For each, the cheek weld and eye relief stay the same as in the prone supported position — that's your baseline.

Right-handed shooters are assumed in these descriptions. Left-handed shooters mirror the foot and hand placement.

Prone Supported

Approach the barricade (or sand bag) at approximately a 45-degree angle, so that the rifle is across the chest of the shooter. Right-handed shooters place their feet to the left; left-handed shooters place their feet to the right.

• Both elbows in contact with the ground, separated sufficiently to place the firing-side shoulder behind the rifle comfortably.
• Back of the non-firing hand placed on the barricade to support the rifle handguards.
• Non-firing hand should be relaxed (not squeezing).
• Firing hand grips the pistol-grip in a manner that allows a "straight to the rear" trigger squeeze.
• It is acceptable to bring the right knee forward (for a right-handed shooter) to aid in breathing.
• Both feet flat on the ground.

Prone Unsupported

Start in the prone supported position. Bring elbows in toward the center of the body and raise the chest off the ground until the weapon has cleared the obstruction.

• During Prone Unsupported, utilize support ONLY to load, reload, and clear the weapon.
• Before the weapon is fired, no part of the shooter or weapon may touch / utilize the supporting object.
• Feet remain flat on the ground.
• Cheek weld and eye relief stay the same as Prone Supported.

Kneeling Barricade

Approach the weak side of the barricade. Left foot forward for right-handed shooters; right foot forward for left-handed shooters.

• Strong knee on the ground; sit comfortably on the heel of the boot.
• Non-firing hand supports the weight of the weapon, with the elbow placed on the thigh or the tricep placed on the front of the kneecap.
• Non-firing hand must make contact with the barricade for maximum support.
• Cheek weld and eye relief the same as Prone Supported.
• Firing hand should NOT support the rifle.

Over Barricade

Approach the barricade like Kneeling Supported, but remain standing. Safely lift the weapon up, keeping the muzzle level and downrange at all times.

• Non-firing foot placed against the barricade, front knee slightly bent toward the target.
• Back leg kicked out to the rear, remaining unbent, in a lunge position with the back foot facing down the line (right to left, not toward the target).
• Support hand placed palm up on the barricade, resting the rifle in the palm.
• Cheek weld and eye relief the same as Prone Supported.