80 TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



the second class. A special class is formed, consisting of oflB- 

 cers, noncommissioned officers, and reenlisted men, who have 

 twice qualified in the first class. The classification is made 

 at the end of the practice year by the battalion commander 

 on the recommendation of the company commander. 



Poor shots must be sent back to the preparatory exercises, 

 and the company commander must personally see that they 

 are sufficiently instructed before allowing them to resume 

 firing with ball cartridges, but turning back is to be avoided 

 witli men in the higher classes, who should have special at- 

 tention when they have difficulty in making the scores 

 required in their class. 



The target year is from October 1 to September 30 follow- 

 ing, and is named after the year in which it terminates. All 

 officers and men of the company join in the practice unless 

 prevented by absence. As a rule, in all firings men fire with 

 their own rifles and are required to go through all the exer- 

 cises prescribed for their class during the year. This may 

 necessitate advancing to higher ranges men who have repeat- 

 edly failed in the preceding exercises. The firings at 300, 400, 

 500, and 600 meters may take place out of their order if the 

 conditions of the range require it, but if possible this must be 

 avoided with men of the second class, who should also qualify 

 in their preliminary firing before commencing their regular 

 practice. 



The preliminary practice must be conducted with the great- 

 est exactness and attention to detail. The instructor corrects 

 faults as they occur. Frequently this must be done while the 

 rifle is in position, and the correction must be made briefly 

 and calmly so as not to tire the recruit or make him nervous. 



Men whose sight, even with the aid of glasses, is less than 

 three-fourths of the normal, may be authorized by the bat- 

 talioii commander to go through the firings at reduced dis- 

 tances. These men are to be examined each year before the 

 firing exercises commence, and are debarred from promotion 

 to a higher class. Fine weather should be selected for prac- 

 tice, especially for recruits. 



Not more than two qualifying scores should be fired on one 

 practice day, nor less than the number of shots prescribed 

 for one exercise. A qualifying score will be considered as 

 made, when the last 3 or 5 shots have the required value. 



