Students prepare to fire from alternative field positions during the Army Marksmanship Unit's Squad Designated Marksman course. Each student trains with the AMU's Designated Marksman Rifle at ranges not normally encountered by the standard infantry soldier.

Students who go through the AMU’s Squad Designated Marksman course leave with all the tools they need to successfully engage targets at ranges between 200 and 600 yards. Better still, they can take all that information back to their unit, increasing combat proficiency by teaching their fellow soldiers the same skills.

The markings on the AMU’s DMR reflect the partnership that has evolved into the Squad Designated Marksman course. With the aid of Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) volunteers, the highly sought after AMU is able to reach many more soldiers than would otherwise be possible.

Students in the AMU’s Squad Designated Marksman course learn to shoot using the Trijicon ACOG. However, instruction is also given on engaging targets with the use of iron sights only. Although the ACOG is recommended, it’s up to the individual unit to determine what optic, if any, will be installed on its DMRs.

By listening to feedback from soldiers with combat experience in both Afghanistan and Iraq, the Army Marksmanship Unit began to incorporate barricades soldiers might find on the modern battlefield. Shooting from behind low cover, a HMMWV (Humvee) door or an irregular-shaped object, such as a barrel, are all situations soldiers could face during a firefight.

Of all the barricade instruction given to students during the SDM course, perhaps none is more applicable than the use of a HMMWV (Humvee) door. While not particularly effective for cover, learning to make accurate shots while in and around a vehicle—where much of modern combat takes place—is extremely important.