Posted on Jan 3, 2018
Can you use a civilian-operated range (indoor ranges) for weapons qualification?
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Range Qualification
If you're assigned to a unit without assigned weapons/arms room or doesn't have frequent range rotations unless profis, can you qualify at a civilian operated range(indoor ranges) for weapons qualification? Our range rotations are probably every 4-6mos if you're not profis.
If you're assigned to a unit without assigned weapons/arms room or doesn't have frequent range rotations unless profis, can you qualify at a civilian operated range(indoor ranges) for weapons qualification? Our range rotations are probably every 4-6mos if you're not profis.
Posted in these groups: 
Weapons
Weapons
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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If you are trying to work in a qualification for your file or other similar reasons, recommend you contact the S3 shop of neighboring units and see if you can walk on one of their ranges. No questions: approved Range, approved weapons System, Army ammo, and a legit score card you can take back to your unit.
If you are unsure who to call, call Range Control and see who has the Ranges scheduled via the TRM process.
If you are unsure who to call, call Range Control and see who has the Ranges scheduled via the TRM process.
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SSG Darrell Peters
This is the Best Way to obtain Qualification. Call a Unit and find our when they go get permission from your unit to tag along. I have Seen National Guard Units Qualify at State Police Ranges The Range that is being used is obtained by the Command and must meet Regulation Requirements. An Army Depot had a Range for DOD Police. When the Range was not in use by the DOD Police USAR and NG Units could Reserve it for M16 Qualification with Paper Targets or for Pistol Quals. Here again the UNIT Reserved the Range. If you are a clerk in a Medical Unit and you need to qualify. We had a Combat Engineer Unit in the Building It just took a phone Call to ask permission to tag along for Qualification.
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SGT (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay Thank you, our main ranges are Quantico and AP Hill so I am definitely going to see if they'll let me walk on or find the nearest MP unit.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Does it have to be an "Approved" range? I thought the whole concept of the alternative qualifications is to allow units without access to normal ranges to still fire qualifications. Nothing very special about setting up an alternative range, for a handgun you need 25 meters and some type E targets. I would think that it would be pretty easy to set up a Known Distance Alternative for rifles on most civilian rifle ranges.
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LTC Jason Mackay
Alt C is an authorized range/qual method if an instrumented range isn’t available. I have seen where the EST is an alt for units without weapons and/or ranges. EST will spit out a score card.
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in short it depends on the Range. Any DOD Range yes. DOD Police Range for Example. These ranges usually publish their Requirements on their Web Page. A State Police Range are often used by National Guard troops as long as the State Police Range Meets Military Regulations. And of course proper agreements and paper work are completed.
Private Civilian Range. This is iffy. Although they are some that do meet Military Standards. Again this must be a Command Decision and the appropriate Memorandums, Agreements and Contracts must be obtained.
Private Civilian Range. This is iffy. Although they are some that do meet Military Standards. Again this must be a Command Decision and the appropriate Memorandums, Agreements and Contracts must be obtained.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you, I'll try to reach out to reserve units as well. I'm in the DC area, so it's hard to find units that frequent the range often, but reserve units may be the better route
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That situation I haven't seen. I do know that you can't purchase civilian ammo and run it through military weapons. It seems like your situation should have been addressed by leadership long before it became an issue. LTC Jason Mackay has it right, but again, it should be a higher up request it would seem. Good luck.
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LTC Jason Mackay
I have seen the Walmart qual method. As long as you are buying M855 5.56, it should be ok, but that is up to the OIC, NCOIC , and the Range Control SOP. Would not recommend it.
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TSgt David L.
LTC Jason Mackay - Maybe it was just the Air Force, but we contracted with a company for a course similar to TEES which for the cost included ammo. We (after the fact) found out that there was a regulation that prohibited civilian ammo through military weapons. I thought it was a DoD reg, but it may not have been.
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SGT (Join to see)
TSgt David L. It happens often, especially being in MEDCOM in the DC Area. They allow is to hold our weapons qual for 2 yrs, but if you want to improve your score it's slim pickings.
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TSgt David L.
SGT (Join to see) - You would think that there would be an agreement with Ft Belvoir or Eustis, or even Andrews AFB for the use of a range.
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