Weapon Training and Firing
Safety first
Every weapon is treated as loaded until physically cleared. The muzzle stays in a safe direction, the finger stays off the trigger, and the weapon remains on safe until the 'Load' or 'Fire' command. On the range, commands are obeyed instantly: 'Load', 'Ready', 'Fire', 'Stop', 'Unload', 'Show clear'. A weapon is cleared by removing the magazine, working the bolt or slide, inspecting the chamber and showing it to the instructor.
Rifles used in NCC
The .22 rifle is a small-bore, bolt-action training weapon used for basic marksmanship. The 7.62 mm SLR is a gas-operated self-loading rifle with a 20-round magazine. The 5.56 mm INSAS is a gas-operated assault rifle with a 30-round magazine. Learn the calibre–weapon match: SLR = 7.62 mm; INSAS = 5.56 mm; .22 = 5.5 mm.
Marksmanship
Sight alignment means eye, rear sight, front sight and target in one line. Breathing: fire during the natural pause after exhaling. Trigger: squeeze steadily; do not jerk. Positions: prone is steadiest, then sitting or kneeling, with standing least steady. A tight group shows consistency; its position shows sight or aim error.
Worked example
A cadet's five shots form a tight group low and left of the target centre. Reasoning: a tight group means hold and trigger are consistent; a displaced group means the sight setting or point of aim is wrong. The instructor corrects the sight or aim, not the cadet's breathing. If the group were scattered, the cause would be inconsistent aim, breathing or trigger control.
Traps
Calling a magazine a 'clip'; saying the SLR is 5.56 mm; firing before the 'Fire' command; failing to 'show clear'; pointing a weapon at anyone even when unloaded.