ADDRAC for Dummies

A_LERT;
D_IRECTION;
D_ESCRIPTION;
R_ANGE;
A_SSIGNMENT/METHOD;
C_ONTROL

Intro

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1295884384
"Fire commands are the means by which fire control is exercised. Fire commands are the instructions issued to the gun crews that enable them to properly engage the desired targets."

There are 2 types of fire commands:

• Initial fire commands
  
  • used to engage a primary target and then shift to other new targets

• Subsequent fire commands
  
  • used to better engage the initial fire command target by:
  • adjusting fire
  • change rate of fire
  • cease fire

The key to a proper fire command is to be as: brief & clear as possible

When a SQD LDR or TM LDR gives fire commands, the gunner:

• repeats EACH ELEMENT to confirm command

Ideally, it is best to give a complete fire command brief at the start of the initial engagement

However, sometimes a complete command is not practicable nor feasible

In such a case, the most important commands are issued and repeated for confirmation

PRACTICE complete fire commands in training so that your MG teams are prepared for fragmentary commands during combat

Methods of Fire Control

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3021782283
There are 6 methods of fire control

• Oral/verbal

• Hand and arm signals

• Prearranged signals

• *Personal contact* - GreyBeard Approved

• Range cards

• SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

MG TM SOPs include:

• Observation
  
  • MG gunner constantly observe their sector of fire(s)

• Fire
  
  • MG gunners open fire without command on targets within their sectors

• Check
  
  • When firing, MG gunners regularly check/look back to WPN SQD/TM LDR for instructions

• Return Fire
  
  • MG gunner return fire without order, prioritizing on ENY MG;troop gathering; vehicles etc.
    weapons

• Shift/Lift Fire
  
  • MG gunners shift fires without command to higher priority targets as they appear
    
  • In a SBF, MG gunners shift/lift fires as necessary to support the ASSLT element

• Rate of Fire
  
  • MG gunners initially engage targets at the rate of fire needed to gain/maintain fire superiority

• Mutual Support
  
  • When working in pairs, one MG gunner increases rate of fire when the other MG TM is: reloading ammunition; changing a barrel; clearing a malfunction; is out of action
    
  • If one MG TM is given a FIRE MISSION, then the other MG TM tracts the target in case the first MG TM can no longer engage the target

"A"DDRAC

"A" is for Alert

This is the very first and initial fire command

It helps the MG team(s) understand which MG is being tasked, or if both MGs are needed

When MG team(s) are "Alerted"; it signals to them that additional fire commands will be issued

There are several manners in which an Alert is issued:

• "ALERT; MG TEAM ONE"

• "ALERT; BOTH MG TEAMS"

• Instead of "Alert"; the command "FIRE MISSION" can be used

A"D"DRAC

"D" is for Direction

Typical terms for Direction are:

• "FRONT"; "FRONT RIGHT/LEFT"

• "RIGHT/LEFT"

• "FAR"; "FAR RIGHT/LEFT"

• "NEAR"; NEAR RIGHT/LEFT"

• "FLANK"; "RIGHT/LEFT FLANK"

• "TRP ONE ALPHA"; "RP THREE"

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1286024568

TRPs (Target Reference Points) and/or Reference Points (RPs) are used to better describe Direction

Various TRPs and RPs

Another helpful method of direction giving is to use the "Hand/Mil" method
This method helps the WPN SQD LDR use a consistent and accurate method
LATERAL & VERTICAL distances from a firing point/TRP/RP etc. in MILs...not degrees
Vertical distance can be described as: "SHORT/OVER" by placing your hand parallel to the ground
Other helpful words like:

• "REFERENCE"

• "EXTENDING FROM...TO..."

• special terrain items (buildings/terrain features/artillery crater/destroyed vehicles etc.)

• "MARKED BY TRACERS" (WPN SQD LDR)

• "MIDPOINT" ("MG GUN TM 1 LEFT OF MIDPOINT; MG TM 2 RIGHT OF SAME")

Example:
"REFERENCE TRP ONE; DISMOUNTED TROOPS EXTENDING LEFT 30 MILS (or "ONE FINGER") to RIGHT 70 MILS (or "TWO FINGERS")"

Example:
"REFERENCE DESTROYED TANK: RIGHT OF TANK; TREE ORCHARD; CENTER-LEFT OF TREE ORCHARD; TARGET: ENEMY ANTI-TANK TEAM"

AD"D"RAC

"D" is for Description

Simple and concise words are helpful for fire commands

Common examples include:

• "MACHINE GUN"

• "DISMOUNTED TROOPS"

• "IN THE OPEN"

• "FIRST/LAST VEHICLE"

• "NEAR SIDE OF THE BUILDING"

ADD"R"AC

"R" is for Range

***The word 'meters' is NOT used to describe range***

Range is described in:

• even digits (500; 550; 600 etc.)

• hundreds/thousands

• separate single digits (THREE-FIVE-ZERO = 350 meters)

ADDR"A"C

"A" is for Assignment/Method

ONLY used when special assignments/instructions are necessary

Common reasons for assignment/method are:

• divide a target

• class of fire/rate of fire

Examples:
"GUN TEAM 1; RIGHT SIDE OF TARGET; GUN TEAM 2; LEFT SIDE"
"GUN 1; TRAVERSE FIRE; GUN 2 FIXED"
"GUN 1; RAPID FIRE; GUN 2 SUSTAINED RATE"

ADDRA"C"

MG TM LDR tapping/squeeze MG gunner to signal different commands

"C" is for Control

There are several methods to control the MG TMs

FOR immediate need for engagement, the WPN SQD/TM LDR can simply command to: "FIRE"

Other common command are:

• "AT MY COMMAND"

• "ON MY SIGNAL"

• "FIRE WHEN READY"

• "CEASE FIRE"

• "END OF MISSION"

• "SHIFT/LIFT FIRE"

• "CORRECTION"

• "READY" (MG TM LDR informing WPN SQD LDR of status)

• "REPEAT XXX" (MG gunner asking WPN SQD LDR to repeat a specific command)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3017201945

Common Fire Command & Responses

Here are a few of the most common:

• ”Light-skinned truck, 3 o’clock, 400 m, on my laser”
  
  • "Target visually identified"/"Target acquired"

• “Gun 1-Bipod/Tripod”
  
  • “Gun 1 up” (when ready to fire)

• “Gun 1 prepare for barrel change”/“Gun 1 barrel change”
  
  • “Gun 1 up” (when ready to fire)

• “Gun 1 out of action; prepare to move"
  
  • “Gun 1 ready to move"

• “Gun 1, left, center, right sectors on my mark. Do you identify?”
  
  • “Gun 1 sector identified”

• “Gun 1, sustained rate of fire, engage"
  
  • “Gun 1 sector identified”

• “Gun 1, sustained rate of fire for XXX seconds, engage"
  
  • “Gun 1, sustained rate of fire for XXX seconds"

Conclusion

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3037333715

[Greybeard]

The community here thanks you for your feedback!

[Aegis]

Teaching a class in the army and unironically stumbled on this for my gun team. Thank you stranger on the internet.