Field of Vision - A Principle of Principals

I thought I knew how to shoot a rifle.  I mean, I grew up hunting.  I received my first BB gun, a Red Rider, at the age of 5.  I was taught then and there how to shoulder the weapon, raise the site, look through one (dominant eye) and place the front site on the target, squeezing the trigger...and click, the BB ricocheted into my teacher's eye...hence the reminder to wear eye protection.

I graduated to a .22 single shot, spring loaded, rifle, then to a .30-06 for deer hunting, always creating a field of vision that focused one eye on the target.  I was a moderate marksman...nothing to brag about, but I could target and shoot.

I entered Army Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, summer of 1999. Hollywood has yet to capture what goes on there, suffice it to say, I was WAY out of my comfort zone.  Anyway...

Basic Rifle Marksmanship takes up the bulk of instruction during training.  The Army is good at a lot of things, but perhaps their hallmark is task analysis.  The step-by-step process of accomplishing any task.  They've mastered this, and can teach almost anyone from any background how to be successful.  Even me.

My instructor, Drill Sergeant Kelch, upon handing my me weapon - which I lovingly named Frank Black - he cautioned me and others, "Those who think they know about marksmanship, are wrong.  I will change your field of vision, and you will learn to target successfully."

Okay.  I was about to make some big changes in years' worth of instruction, and become an expert marksman, able to target and shoot transitioning points, in a fixed time, with fixed resources, with 100% accuracy.  As follows...

1. Both eyes should be open.
2. Site by looking through the front bore sight into the target.
3. Be gentle.
4. Breathe.

Both eyes open?  Yep.  It immediately expands your vision, adding a periphery that allows you to anticipate and automate your actions to address the next fixed point.

Sighting into the target?  Of course.  That's your reference or objective, and it demands intentional focus.

Gentle and shooting don't go together do they?  Yes, they do.  A clean, well-cared for tool is far more capable of operating efficiently than one carelessly tossed about and taken for granted.

Of course you have to breathe!  Yeah, but did you know that in rhythm, it syncs up your head/heart/body to optimize coordination, and accelerate performance? Deep breath in to sight, slow exhale and gently squeeze...the effect is incredible.

Principals, keep both eyes open, look through your data to the individual teachers and students who need your help, take very good care of yourself, and well...breathe.

Take my advice. It's worth way more than you paid for it.

JS