Marksmanship is an essential skill for operational deployment and some consequence management activities. Many National Guard Soldiers/Airmen struggle with marksmanship. Marksmanship training is critical to creating competent and confident Soldiers/Airmen. Unit commanders need marksmanship training tools at the armory, State Marksmanship Teams, Air Guard CATM (Combat Arms Training and Maintenance) elements and state training sites which provide realistic, measurable dry-fire and live fire training. In addition, these tools enhance marksmanship coaching skills within the NCO/SNCO ranks.

Annual rifle qualification training focuses on assessing/scoring soldier skills, rather than teaching/sustaining marksmanship. OPTEMPO funding needed for these events is significant, yet the actual individual training value is minimal. Units/armories need inexpensive, easy to use marksmanship training capabilities which predict qualification outcomes, and prescribe dry-fire training which improves shooter mechanics.

The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Simulation and Training Technology Center has been working with industry to develop next-generation marksmanship training capabilities to support rifle qualification; diagnose shooter weaknesses; provide remedial training for shooter-specific weaknesses; and predict qualification outcomes. These capabilities support both individual and collective training Programs of Record. These capabilities directly support home station training; measurable assessment of shooter weapon skills; and, enable doctrinally correct instruction.

Both the Army and Air National Guard should acquire and field marksmanship training enablers for use within units and at training sites.