let me share with the younger SAF servicemen my experience at the firing range. During my time in the 1980s, we have what we called CTSS (firing from 300m, 200m and 100m and 50m run down). We fired from foxhole, prone, sitting, standing shoulder and standing waist. Also we fired from behind windows. I always love range. The sound of firing live rounds, the recoil and the smell of gun powder gave me the adrenaline rush. What was so different back then was that we have butt party. Before you get any funny idea, it has nothing to do with party nor the buttock. This butt party is a group of soldiers that were tasked to raise the wooden targets for the firers to shoot. They stood in the trench and lifted and lowered the targets on the command of the officer at the butt party. This is as close as I ever get to be shot. We could hear the bullets whizzing overehead and hitting targets. After each stage of firing, the butt party lowered the targets and physically count the number of holes in the target where the bullet hits. That was how the firer got his score. The butt party then has to paste small squares of paper to cover all the holes for the next firer. Nowaday, butt party is no longer necessary. The range has been automated and mechanised. Too bad, the soldiers of today dont get to experience bullets flying overhead. But then, this is called progress. This is modern day SAF.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:50:18 +0000
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