Study guide
9.6 Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
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1 The Promotion Board Process, Eligibility, and Preparation
1.1 AR 600-8-19 Board Eligibility, TIS/TIG Zones, and PME Requirements 1.2 Board Proceedings, Protocol, Uniform Inspection, and Boardroom Bearing 1.3 Promotion Points, the AFT Conversion, IPPS-A, and Monthly Cutoff Scores 1.4 Board Preparation: Study Plan, Current Events, and World Affairs 1.5 Situational Questions, ICTL Proficiency, and Board Scenario Technique
2 Uniform Standards, Grooming, and Awards (AR 670-1, AD 2025-18, AR 600-8-22)
2.1 ASU and AGSU Configuration, Insignia, Badges, and Awards Placement 2.2 Hair, Cosmetics, Fingernails, and Jewelry Standards (AD 2025-18) 2.3 Wear of Combat Uniforms, Duty Accessories, and Body Modification & Tattoo Policies 2.4 Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation 2.5 The Army Awards and Decorations System (AR 600-8-22)
3 Army Leadership & Doctrine (ADP 6-22 & FM 6-22)
3.1 The Army Leadership Requirements Model: Attributes and Competencies 3.2 Leadership Levels, Dynamics, Command Climate, and the Warrior Ethos 3.3 The Counseling Process (ATP 6-22.1 & DA Form 4856) 3.4 The Evaluation Reporting System & NCOER (AR 623-3 & DA Form 2166-9 Series)
4 Customs, Courtesies, and Military Traditions (AR 600-25 & TC 3-21.5)
4.1 Saluting Protocols, Courtesies to Officers, and Hand Salute Standards 4.2 National Flag Etiquette, Colors, Reveille, Retreat, and Honors to the Nation 4.3 Drill and Ceremonies Fundamentals (TC 3-21.5) and Formations 4.4 Rank Structure, Chain of Command, the NCO Support Channel, and Unit Organization
5 Army History, Heritage, and Creeds
5.1 Army Birthday, Continental Army Foundations, and Historical Milestones 5.2 Evolution of the NCO Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Army 5.3 Major American Campaigns and Military Battle History 5.4 The Army Values, The Soldier's Creed, and The NCO Creed
6 Army Programs, Command Policy, and Soldier Readiness
6.1 SHARP Under AR 600-52: Reporting Options, Complaint Processing, and the OSTC 6.2 The Military Equal Opportunity and Harassment Prevention Program (AR 600-20, Chapter 6) 6.3 Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and SUDCC (AR 600-85) 6.4 Soldier and Family Support Programs: AER, Red Cross, ACS, EFMP, and BOSS 6.5 Suicide Prevention, Behavioral Health, and Resilience 6.6 Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity 6.7 Retention, Reenlistment, and the Career Counseling of Subordinates
7 Tactical Combat Casualty Care & First Aid (TC 4-02.1 & ATP 4-02.83)
7.1 TCCC Phases of Care: Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and TACEVAC 7.2 MARCH PAWS Assessment: Massive Hemorrhage and Airway Management 7.3 Respiration, Circulation, Shock, Burns, and Environmental Injuries 7.4 9-Line MEDEVAC Request Protocol and Tactical Evacuation Procedures
8 CBRN Defense & Force Protection (ATP 3-11.32 & AR 525-13)
8.1 CBRN Hazards, Chemical Agent Classifications, and Physiological Effects 8.2 MOPP Gear Levels, Protective Mask PMCS, and Decontamination 8.3 Antiterrorism, Physical Security, and Force Protection Conditions (AR 525-13)
9 Weapons, Land Navigation, and Physical Readiness
9.1 M4/M16 Rifle Characteristics, Clearing, Malfunctions, and Weapons Safety (TC 3-22.9) 9.2 Map Reading, Grid Coordinates, and Marginal Information (TC 3-25.26) 9.3 Land Navigation: Terrain Features, Azimuths, Intersection, and Resection 9.4 Holistic Health and Fitness, the Army Fitness Test, and the Combat Field Test 9.5 The Army Body Composition Program and the Waist-to-Height Standard (AD 2026-13) 9.6 Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
10 Military Justice, the Law of War, and Duty
10.1 The UCMJ, Article 15 Non-Judicial Punishment, and Courts-Martial 10.2 The Code of Conduct, the Law of War, and Rules of Engagement 10.3 Guard Duty, the Three General Orders, and Operations Security
11 Training Management and Unit Sustainment
11.1 Training Management: ICTL, the Digital Job Book, and Sergeant's Time Training 11.2 Maintenance, Supply Discipline, and Property Accountability
9.6 Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The M249 light machine gun fires 5.56 mm from a 200-round drum, has a maximum effective range of 800 meters against a point target, and uses rates of fire of 85 rounds per minute sustained, 200 rapid, and 850 cyclic.
The M240B medium machine gun fires 7.62 mm, has a maximum effective range of 1,800 meters on a tripod, and uses rates of fire of 100 rounds per minute sustained, 200 rapid, and 650 to 950 cyclic.
The M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun has a maximum effective range of 1,830 meters against a point target and requires headspace and timing to be set before firing.
The M17 and M18 Modular Handgun System replaced the M9 as the Army sidearm, is chambered in 9 mm, and has a maximum effective range of about 50 meters.
The M67 fragmentation grenade weighs 14 ounces, has a 4 to 5 second fuze delay, a casualty-producing radius of 15 meters, and an average throwing distance of about 35 meters.
Last updated: September 2026
Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
Board Primer: Weapons questions rarely stop at the M4. A team leader is expected to know the systems in the squad and platoon, their ranges and rates of fire, and how to make each one safe. Memorize the numbers, but be able to say what they mean — a maximum effective range is the distance at which a trained Soldier can expect a 50 percent probability of hit on a given target, not the distance the round can travel.
1. The Four Weapons Safety Rules
Every weapons answer opens with safety:
Treat every weapon as if it is loaded.
Never point the weapon at anything you do not intend to destroy.
Keep the weapon on safe and your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire.
Know your target and what is beyond it.
The clearing sequence for any weapon: place the weapon on safe, remove the source of feed (magazine, belt, or drum), lock the bolt or slide to the rear, and physically and visually inspect the chamber and receiver before releasing the bolt and closing the weapon.
2. Squad Automatic Weapon — M249
- Characteristic Value
- Caliber 5.56 mm
- Operation Gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed (also accepts a magazine in an emergency)
- Standard load 200-round drum or belt
- Maximum effective range 800 m (point target), 1,000 m (area target)
- Maximum range ~3,600 m
- Rates of fire Sustained 85 rpm; rapid 200 rpm; cyclic 850 rpm
Barrel change Sustained: every 10 minutes. Rapid: every 2 minutes.
3. Medium Machine Gun — M240B
- Characteristic Value
- Caliber 7.62 mm
- Operation Gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed
- Maximum effective range 1,800 m (tripod-mounted), 1,100 m (bipod, area target)
- Maximum range ~3,725 m
- Rates of fire Sustained 100 rpm; rapid 200 rpm; cyclic 650–950 rpm
Barrel change Sustained: every 10 minutes. Rapid: every 2 minutes.
4. Heavy Machine Gun — M2 (.50 cal)
- Characteristic Value
- Caliber .50 caliber (12.7 mm)
- Operation Recoil-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed
- Maximum effective range 1,830 m (point target)
- Maximum range ~6,800 m
- Rates of fire Sustained less than 40 rpm; rapid more than 40 rpm; cyclic 450–550 rpm
Critical setting Headspace and timing must be set before firing. Improper headspace or timing is the single most dangerous error on this weapon.
5. Grenade Machine Gun — MK19, Mod 3
- Characteristic Value
- Ammunition 40 mm grenade, belt-fed
- Maximum effective range 1,500 m (point target), 2,212 m (area target)
- Rates of fire Sustained 40 rpm; rapid 60 rpm; cyclic 325–375 rpm
- Employment Suppression of area targets, light armor, and dismounted infantry
- 6. Sidearm — M17 and M18 Modular Handgun System
The M17 (full size) and M18 (compact) replaced the M9 Beretta as the Army's standard sidearm.
- Characteristic Value
- Caliber 9 mm
- Operation Semi-automatic, short recoil, striker-fired
- Magazine capacity 17 rounds standard (21-round extended magazine available)
- Maximum effective range ~50 m
- Safety features Manual thumb safety plus internal drop safety
Clearing an M17/M18: place on safe, remove the magazine, lock the slide to the rear, and inspect the chamber .
7. Grenade Launcher — M320
The M320 replaced the M203 and mounts under the M4 or is fired standalone with its own buttstock.
- Characteristic Value
- Ammunition 40 mm low-velocity grenade
- Maximum effective range 150 m (point target), 350 m (area target)
- Feature Side-loading breech , which allows longer projectiles than the M203
- 8. Hand Grenades
- Grenade Purpose Key data
- M67 fragmentation Kill or wound 14 oz; 4–5 second fuze; 15 m casualty radius; ~35 m average throw
- M18 colored smoke Signal and mark Burns 50–90 seconds; red, green, yellow, violet
- AN-M8 HC white smoke Screen Burns 105–150 seconds
- M84 stun (flash-bang) Distract and disorient Non-lethal; used in close-quarters entry
- ABC-M7A2/A3 CS Riot control Irritant
Grenade employment: the standard commands are "FRAG OUT" for a fragmentation grenade and the corresponding call for other types, given loudly so the team can react.
9. Classes of Machine Gun Fire
Board members frequently follow a range question with a doctrine question:
- Classification basis Categories
- With respect to the ground Grazing fire (no more than 1 meter above the ground) and plunging fire
- With respect to the target Frontal, flanking, oblique, and enfilade fire
With respect to the gun Fixed, traversing, searching, traversing and searching, swinging traverse, and free gun
Enfilade fire — where the long axis of the beaten zone coincides with the long axis of the target — is the most desirable class of fire because it produces the maximum effect for the ammunition expended.
Final protective line (FPL): a predetermined line along which grazing fire is placed to stop an enemy assault. Where terrain prevents an FPL, a principal direction of fire (PDF) is assigned instead.
10. Accountability
Sensitive items — weapons, night vision devices, and communications security equipment — are accounted for by serial number , by physical count , and by sight , at least at the start and end of every duty period and any time the situation changes.
A missing sensitive item is reported immediately through the chain of command; there is no acceptable delay.
DA Form 2062 (Hand Receipt/Annex Number) documents sub-hand-receipted equipment down to the user.