Soldiers should register now for SDM, CQM classes

Infantry Magazine,  July-August, 2006  by Paula J. Randall Pagan

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The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) Service Rifle Team conducts the Squad Designated Marksman Train the Trainer and the USAMU Service Pistol Team conducts the Close Quarter Marksman Train the Trainers for Soldiers throughout the Army.

The following is the schedule for Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) and Close Quarter Marksman (CQM) Train the Trainers for the next fiscal year.

The SDM classes will be conducted on the following dates:

   SDM #1-07, Sept. 25-29;
   SDM #2-07, Oct. 16-20;
   SDM #3-07, Nov. 27 to Dec. 1;
   SDM #4-07, Dec. 11-15;
   SDM #5-07, Jan. 22-26; and
   SDM #6-07, Feb. 5-9.

   The CQM classes will be held:

   CQM #1-07, Oct. 2-4;
   CQM #2-07, Oct. 23-25;
   CQM #3-07, Dec. 4-6;
   CQM #4-07, Dec, 18-20;
   CQM #5-07, Jan. 29-31; and
   CQM #6-07, Feb. 12-14.

To request a slot, unit training and operations sections must send an e-mail request to USAMU Training and Operations NCOIC Sergeant First Class Edward Hocking at edward.hocking@usaac.army. mil; the request must include the Soldier's full name, rank, social security number, military occupational specialty, specific unit, unit point of contact and telephone number.

To be eligible, Soldiers must be a corporal or above; deploying units get priority. Soldiers' units are responsible for lodging, per diem and personal transportation. Transportation to and from the range with government weapons will be provided by USAMU.

The USAMU supplies the SDM rifles, ammunition and Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights for the SDM classes. Soldiers attending the CQM classes must provide their own rifles, six magazines and 800 rounds of ammunition. For the additional day of pistol training, Soldiers will need to bring pistols, four magazines, and 300 rounds of ammunition.

Soldiers who do not have weapons or ammunition should call SFC Hocking to see if alternate arrangements can be made. The recommended items of clothing for the SDM and CQM classes are: Sufficient battle dress uniforms for one week of range firing, four rifle magazines, wet and cold weather gear, prescription glasses and/or contact lenses, identification card, M-16 cleaning kit, personnel hygiene items for one week and civilian clothes; for CQM, add Kevlar, IBA, pistol holster and four pistol magazines, optics and night vision accessories.

Any unit requesting a SDM course to be conducted at its own installation must have a known distance range up to 500 yards, a classroom large enough for the amount of Soldiers in the class and travel funding for four to six USAMU instructors. Units should also provide their own rifles, ACOGs, and ammunition (600 rounds per student).

Units requesting a CQM course at their installations must have a 25-meter zero range minimum with the ability to fire 9mm, 5.56mm, 7.62mm and shotgun, and a classroom large enough for the amount of Soldiers in the class and will provide all equipment and ammunition (800 rounds per student). For additional pistol training, units must provide the pistols, magazines and ammunition (300 rounds per student), and funding for up to six instructors.

For more information, call (706) 545-7174/1410 or visit the unit's Web site at www.usarec.army.mil/hq/amu.

COPYRIGHT 2006 U.S. Army Infantry School
COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group