=12. Instruction on Miniature Ranges.=--Instruction in fire discipline can be carried out on miniature ranges during the Fire Direction Practices and Collective Field Practices contained in Sec. 74. CHAPTER VII GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING RANGE AND FIELD PRACTICES Section =48=.--Preliminary Training. =1. Lectures.=--The instruction contained in Chapters I to VI of this book is classified under the head of Preliminary Training, as it lays the foundation of the soldier’s training in the use of the rifle, and prepares him for instruction in both range and field practices. Thus, preliminary training commences with information regarding the construction of the rifle and directions for taking care of the weapon and cleaning it, includes instruction in aiming, firing, visual training, and ranging, and concludes with standard tests in preliminary training and grouping practices on miniature and 30 yards ranges. An extremely important part of preliminary training consists of a systematic course of lectures given concurrently with practical instruction. These lectures will deal with the theory of rifle fire, important points in elementary training, and the tactical application of fire through fire direction and control, including the use of ground and cover, and the duties of fire-unit commanders and observers in the firing-line [see Sec. 74, para. 5 (iii)]. =2. Recruits.=--Although it is only by practice in shooting that a high degree of proficiency can be attained in the use of the rifle, the ammunition allowances are necessarily limited, and are calculated on the assumption _that firing will be preceded by a most thorough course of preliminary instruction_. Recruits, before they begin a course of firing, must reach a satisfactory standard in aiming, and in holding their rifles steadily while pressing the trigger, otherwise range practice will merely result in waste of ammunition. 3. =Trained Soldiers.=--(i) _Besides thoroughly grounding recruits in elementary training, trained soldiers must also be kept efficient in their preliminary instruction._ Preliminary training in musketry exercises should therefore be continued throughout the year by trained soldiers. Skill in judging distance, a perfect trigger release, dexterity in the loading motions, and the habit of adjusting sights, cannot be retained without frequent practice. (ii) It is therefore of the utmost importance that trained soldiers should develop by constant practice a habit of recognizing targets, judging their distance, adjusting their sights, and firing quickly but steadily without undue effort. It is advisable to test the ability of trained soldiers in the standard tests of preliminary training before they begin firing in range practices. Reconnaissance and ranging exercises will be a necessary preliminary to successful fire direction. Section =49=.--Tests of Preliminary Training.