Load a Caliber .50 Machine Gun

TASKS: 1. Load a Caliber .50 Machine Gun

2. Correct Malfunctions on a Caliber .50 Machine Gun

3. Unload and Clear a Caliber .50 Machine Gun

TEST CONDITIONS: During daylight, given an assembled and cleared caliber .50 machine gun with headspace and timing correctly set; a belt of linked caliber .50 blank ammunition with a dummy round inserted into the belt; and a requirement to expend all rounds in the belt.

TEST STANDARDS: Load and begin firing the machine gun within ten seconds; apply immediate action within ten seconds when a stoppage occurs; when all blank rounds have been fired, unload and clear the machine gun within ten seconds.

SOLDIER’S MANUAL CROSSWALK: This task is based on STP 7 11BCHM14 SM TG task number 071 022 0003.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR POINT: An assembled caliber .50 machine gun (tripod mounted), with headspace and timing set; a five round belt of blank caliber .50 machine gun ammunition with a dummy round inserted in the middle position of the belt (two blank rounds on either side), a pencil, ballpoint pen, field table, stopwatch, clipboard, earplugs, and FB Form 20 33.1 R.

SITE SETUP: Ensure the site provides for the safe firing of caliber .50 blank ammunition and does not unduly interfere with other test stations. The selected site should be relatively level, and the tripod mounted gun should be well emplaced to prevent movement during the test.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: Say to the candidates–

“Let me have your attention. At this point, you must load a caliber .50 machine gun, perform immediate action on a caliber .50 machine gun, and unload and clear a caliber .50 machine gun. You will load and fire the caliber .50 machine gun on automatic within ten seconds.

“When a stoppage occurs, you must apply immediate action within ten seconds and continue with the test.

“You must unload and clear the caliber .50 machine gun within ten seconds.

“You will receive an assembled and cleared caliber .50 machine gun with headspace and timing correctly set, a belt of linked, caliber .50 machine gun ammunition, and a requirement to expend all rounds in the belt. Do you understand what you must do?”

If anyone has questions, repeat the instructions, but do not elaborate on what you have read.

“BEGIN.”

Allow the candidate to continue for the full 30 seconds. Allow the candidate to proceed from one phase of this test to the next phase without stopping after each requirement. Then say “STOP.