Stance and Transition Movement Effects on Marksmanship Performance of Expert Shooters During a Simulated Multiple Target Engagement Task

Abstract

A primary Soldier skill is the ability to quickly and effectively acquire and engage threats. This research evaluates shooting stances and transition movements of expert shooters when conducting multiple engagements requiring gross body movement across a 50 degree arc. Seven participants were classified during post analysis as utilizing two different unsupported standing firing positions (a narrow-based and wide-based stance) in a loaded and unloaded condition. Marksmanship was assessed using traditional lethality measures, a mobility timing measure, and weapon handling/stability measures. Significant differences were found across performance between the two positions. In a follow-on analysis, participants were categorized into stance type (fighter stance vs. isosceles stance) and transitional movement method (lifted feet vs. grounded). Significant decrements in performance were seen for the isosceles stance and the lift-foot method after the transition to target 2. These results suggest that stance and transition methods are extremely influential on lower-body stability and marksmanship performance.