50 TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



The men are divided into two classes according to their 

 proficiency. 



The ammunition for the year is tnrned over to the captains, 

 who are allowed a large initiative in its use for the instruction 

 of their men. Each captain selects a lieutenant to supervise 

 the instruction of the noncommissioned officers, and a ser- 

 geant, who is especially charged with the details of the prac- 

 tice, teaching the awkward and helping the lieutenant in 

 developing instructors among the men. This sergeant is 

 called the "target-practice sergeant." 



An officer is selected by the regimental commander to lec- 

 ture on the subjects treated of in the documents furnished by 

 the " Ecole Normale de Tir." Each year this school furnishes 

 the various regiments with copies of lectures delivered there, 

 and with information as to recent progress in matters of tar- 

 get practice. 



The old way of establishing a man's ability as a shooter by 

 the percentage he had made in individual practice has been 

 mostly abandoned. At present practical examinations are 

 used to determine the comparative skill. 



The prizes given for shooting are equally divided among 

 the various companies. 



The colonels, with the approval of the general commanding 

 the brigade, arrange the programs of the collective service 

 practice. 



It is recognized that the responsibility for producing good 

 shots rests chiefly with the captain and he is given great lati- 

 tude to this end. 



In each regiment a captain is designated as instructor and 

 range officer. He has a lieutenant as assistant ; he is required 

 to be present at all collective skirmish firings, though he may 

 send his assistant to others ; he keeps the regimental target 

 book and has the usual functions of a range officer. 



Officers are required to learn to shoot and are practiced in 

 using the range-finder and in estimating distances. 



Allowance of Ammunition. — Each officer and man is 

 allowed the cartridges indicated in the tables on page 47. 

 Cartridges for competition and examinations are furnished 

 from this allowance. For the collective service practice, 50 

 cartridges per man are allowed in addition, for each man 

 taking part. The whole allowance is required to be consumed 

 in the course of the year. 



