This manual, Training Circular TC 3-20.40 Training and Qualification – Individual Weapons Change 1 November 2019, provides the outline for all individual weapon’s training strategies, resources, prerequisites, and requirements for planning and executing training. It provides a single reference for commanders, staff, planners, and trainers. The principal audience for TC 3-20.40 is all members of the profession of arms. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this publication. TC 3-20.40 applies to the Active Army, the Army National Guard, the Army Civilian Corps, and the United States Army Reserve unless otherwise stated. TC 3-20.40 describes how a unit builds their unit training plan (UTP) for individual weapons. It provides all the information needed to plan, prepare, execute, and assess individual weapons training strategies and certifications. The training strategies described follow the progressive and gated structure of the integrated weapons training strategy. This manual defines the Army-standard requirements for individual weapons qualification and establishes those qualifications as prerequisites for continued training for either specific capability certification or collective live-fire training. TC 3-20.40 composed of four chapters and nine appendixes, and is specifically tailored to the training strategy, qualification standards, and various weapons certifications of current individually assigned weapons in the Army’s inventory. TC 3-20.40 is organized in a progressive manner so that each chapter provides the information a unit requires to plan and prepare for weapons training. The appendixes include the “how to” execute the training event according to each weapons training strategy or certification. The appendixes also include essential information concerning ammunition, forms, and weapons safety. TC 3-20.40 applies to all Soldiers, regardless of experience or position, who are assigned an individual weapon. This publication is designed specifically for unit commanders, training managers, and staff to tailor small arms training to achieve the appropriate level of lethality and proficiency.
