Introduction to Squad Designated Marksman Course

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Introduction to Squad Designated Marksman Course
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Squad Designated Marksman Introduction The Army
qualification course tests the ability of the
individual Soldier to identify and engage targets
out to a distance of 300 meters. The 300
meter-range limit, however, is well short of the
capability of the M16/M4 weapon system. The Squad
Designated Marksman (SDM) will be able to engage
targets in the no mans land gap that exists
between that of the average combat soldier (0-300
meters), and the trained Sniper (600 meters and
beyond). Possessing the ability to estimate
range, detect targets, and place effective,
well-aimed fire on those intermediate range
targets, the SDM will play a vital role on the
modern battlefield.
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• Mission of the Squad Designated Marksman
• The primary mission of the SDM is that of a
  Rifleman within an Infantry squad.
• His duties as a Rifleman to include firing,
  maneuvering, and providing support for the other
  members of his squad, take precedence over his
  duties as a SDM.
• The SDM has neither the equipment nor training
  to operate individually, or in a small team to
  engage targets at extended ranges with precision
  fire.

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• Mission of the Squad Designated Marksman
  cont.
• The secondary mission of the SDM is
• Engage key targets from 0 to 600 meters with
  effective, well-aimed fire using the standard
  weapon system and standard ammunition.
• Since the SDM may not be equipped with an
  optical sight, he must, therefore, possess a
  thorough understanding and mastery of the
  fundamentals of rifle marksmanship.
• Supplementary skills such as a knowledge of
  ballistics, elevation and windage hold-offs,
  sight manipulation, and range estimation enhance
  the SDMs lethality. His abilities can also be
  used to help direct the fire of other squad
  members into enemy positions.

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• Squad Designated Marksman Course
• The SDM course will provide an Infantry squad
  with a powerful asset a designated marksman that
  has been trained to engage targets from 0 to 600
  meters.
• Classroom instruction will be supplemented by
  extensive live-fire training.
• The SDM will also be familiarized with the
  planning for, and the conduct of known distance
  training. This knowledge will enable the SDM to
  maintain a high level of skill, as well as
  providing an important tool for his Commander to
  help plan and execute both SDM sustainment and
  selection training.

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SDM Schedule Day 1
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SDM Schedule Day 2
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SDM Schedule Day 3
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SDM Schedule Day 4
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SDM Schedule Day 5
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Contact Info for USAMU Service Rifle Section,
706 545 5614 S3, Operations, 706 545 1410/7174

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