@spitfire358,

I don’t want to belittle your experience in any way so if I am answering the wrong question please let me know. I believe you are asking how to run a detachment sized M4 Range, which in my mind doesn’t sound like it should function too differently from your average platoon range would, minus the differences in personnel. I would use the 8-Step Training model as a guide,  my process fell somewhere along this line and I hope it helps you.

Plan.

1) Identify the acceptable end state for the CDR (100% qual? 90% Qual? Did he want CBRN training?)

2) Identify Number of Soldiers to be trained.

3) Utilize the STRAC to determine the amount of ammunition required to meet the tasks identified in step #1 with the number of Soldiers in step #2, and request 10% over that number for flexibility.

4) Identify with my NCO the key billets to be filled and who would fill them (OIC, RSO, CASEVAC).

5) Determine the timeline. Both for the day of training and for how you will conduct the rest of the 8-Step process as well as preparing for the range.

a. Use the STRAC ,number of Soldiers, and the number of lanes to identify how long to assess a zero, a qualification, and a retrain will take per Soldier. I used this as a baseline to determine success. If I felt it should take 1 hour to qualify 4 Soldiers, then this was a good measuring stick to determine if I needed to investigate why we were not meeting this number during execution.

b. Preliminary Marksmanship Instruction (PMI) is proven to reduce the amount of ammunition you will require as well as the time you ultimately spend on the range. Highly recommend you include planning space for PMI and virtual simulation in the EST to make your range day smooth.

c. Identify your recovery plan on the back-end.

6) Resource the Training (Class I,III, V are the obvious ones – Class IV usually surprises folks. Your range operations center will usually determine certain types of barricades, c-wire or other things to surround your ammunition.)

7) Assess Risk and Determine Mitigation Measures.

Train the Trainer.

Ensure all personnel tasked to support the range are certified or trained to do so. Common training usually involves RSO/OIC, CLS, Drivers Training, Range Safety training.

Recon. Self-explanatory, physically go to the site where you will conduct the range if possible.

Issue Order – Rehearse – Execute: Self Explanatory.

Evaluate. Keep all your records and ensure you have the personnel on hand to complete the records to maximize throughput on the range. Nothing will slow you down faster than trying to fat-finger numbers on a scorecard while your Safeties are waiting for lane assignments.

Retrain. The 10% additional ammunition you requested earlier will come in helpful here, this is also a good backup day to use if weather shuts down one of your live fire days.

 

I’ve attached an example of a simple platoon M4 range CONOP.

 

This might be a good topic to add a PL tag to as well because it is such a common first time planning event for most Lieutenants.

 

-Steve