A critical component emphasized in the manual is the AAR. Every engagement, whether simulated or live, must be followed by a critique. The manual provides templates and key questions for Master Gunners to evaluate crew performance (e.g., "Did the gunner lase correctly?" "Did the commander issue clear fire commands?").
The best and most official way to access TC 3-20.31 is through the United States Army's official publications portal or military databases. Here are some steps to find and access the PDF:
Every edition of TC 3-20.31 highlights "Training Deficiencies." Here is what the PDF warns leaders to avoid:
TC 3-20.31 moves away from "train to time." Crews stay on a table until they achieve the standard. If a crew fails a table, they must retrain and retry before moving to the next table.
Comprehensive Guide to TC 3-20.31: Training and Qualification Crew
The TC 3-20.31, Training and Qualification, Crew is the definitive U.S. Army Training Circular governing the standards for crew-level gunnery. It provides the rigorous framework necessary for crews of armored vehicles—such as the M1 Abrams tank, M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and Stryker platforms—to achieve and maintain combat readiness through standardized testing and evaluation.
The goal of this manual is to ensure every crew in a formation can detect, identify, and engage targets with lethal precision under various conditions. The Role of TC 3-20.31 in Modern Gunnery
TC 3-20.31 serves as the "Rulebook" for the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS). It shifts focus from simple "target practice" to a structured, data-driven methodology known as Gunnery Tables. These tables are designed to progress a crew from basic skills to complex, night-vision, and chemical-environment engagements. The Standardized Gunnery Tables
The manual outlines a series of tables (Tables I through VI) that every crew must navigate to be considered "Qualified."
Table I: Gunnery Skills Test (GST): Before even touching live ammunition, crews must pass the GST. This covers non-firing skills like bore-sighting, immediate action drills, and turret maintenance.
Table II: Simulations: Utilizing advanced trainers like the CCTT (Close Combat Tactical Trainer), crews practice communication and fire control in a virtual environment.
Table III: Proficiency: This table transitions crews to the actual vehicle, focusing on dry-fire exercises and tracking targets without live rounds.
Table IV: Basic Transition: Often the first live-fire or sub-caliber exercise where crews engage static targets.
Table V: Practice: A full-scale rehearsal of the qualification table.
Table VI: Crew Qualification: The "Final Exam." This live-fire event determines if a crew is qualified to deploy or participate in higher-level collective training. Scoring and Evaluation Metrics tc 3-20.31 training and qualification crew pdf
Qualification under TC 3-20.31 is not just about hitting the target; it is about time, accuracy, and procedure. The manual utilizes a 1,000-point scale: Distinguished: 900+ points and hitting 9/10 engagements. Superior: 800+ points and hitting 8/10 engagements.
Qualified: 700+ points and hitting at least 7/10 engagements.
Crews are graded on their ability to follow "fire commands," their speed of engagement (exposure time), and their adherence to safety protocols. A single safety violation can result in an automatic "Zero" for the engagement. Why the PDF Version is Essential
For Master Gunners and Vehicle Commanders, having the TC 3-20.31 PDF is critical for range planning. The digital document allows for:
Rapid Keyword Search: Quickly find specific target silhouettes or ammunition temperature correction charts.
Score Sheet Printing: Essential for evaluators (VCs) on the range to manually track "cut-times" and "penalties."
Mobile Access: Allowing leaders to reference standards directly in the turret or at the after-action review (AAR) site. Integration with Other Manuals
TC 3-20.31 does not exist in a vacuum. It is part of a larger suite of manuals, specifically:
TC 3-20.0: The overarching guide for Integrated Weapons Training.
TC 3-20.31-4: Provides the specific "Direct Fire Engagement Process" (D-FEP). Conclusion
The TC 3-20.31 is more than just a training manual; it is the foundation of American armored lethality. By standardizing how crews are trained and qualified, the Army ensures that no matter the unit or the location, every tank and fighting vehicle crew is prepared to dominate the battlefield. 31?
The document TC 3-20.31, Training and Qualification, Crew is a Department of the Army Training Circular that establishes training principles and techniques for crew-served direct fire platforms. Course Hero Access & Distribution Restriction : This document is authorized for U.S. Government agencies and their contractors only Official Source
: Requests for the document are typically referred to the G-3 Security Division at the MCoE, Fort Benning Public Access
: Because it contains sensitive technical or operational information for official use, it is generally not available for open public download on civilian websites. Course Hero Key Content & Purpose Methodology : It uses a plan, prepare, execute, and assess approach to weapons proficiency. A critical component emphasized in the manual is the AAR
: Applies to combat arms MOSs, Stryker NBCRV, and military police assigned to weapons platforms in Armor, Infantry, and Stryker brigades Gunnery Standards
: Defines the standards for crew qualification, including the rule that firing vehicles must score greater than on a target to successfully defeat it. Evaluators : Outlines the role of Vehicle Crew Evaluators (VCE) and Master Gunners in training and certifying crews. Course Hero Related Manuals TC 3-20.40 : For individual weapon training (rifles, carbines). TC 4-11.46 : For Convoy Protection Platform (CPP) live fire exercises. Course Hero Table of Contents for this specific manual or information on a different
TC 3-20.31 Training and Qualification Crew.pdf - Course Hero
Training Circular (TC) 3-20.31, titled Training and Qualification, Crew, serves as the foundational U.S. Army doctrine for direct fire platform proficiency. It provides a standardized framework for commanders and Master Gunners to plan, prepare, execute, and assess the training of combat crews on stabilized and unstabilized platforms. Purpose and Scope
TC 3-20.31 establishes the training strategy for crews to attain lethal proficiency by engaging and destroying threats efficiently in any operational environment.
Primary Audience: Commanders, trainers, and Master Gunners within Armor, Infantry, and Stryker brigade combat teams.
Applicability: Covers direct fire platforms for combat arms MOSs, including the M1 Abrams tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Stryker variants, and military police weapon platforms.
Methodology: Follows the Plan, Prepare, Execute, and Assess model, ensuring training is progressive and consistent across the force. The Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS)
The publication integrates with the broader Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS), which organizes training into sequential gates: Gate 4: Individual and crew-served weapons proficiency.
Gate 3: The Crew Table level, focusing on squad and crew qualification.
Gate 2 & 1: Progressive collective training from section/platoon up to battalion/squadron combined arms live-fire exercises. Standardized Crew Gunnery Tables
TC 3-20.31 outlines six primary crew tables that crews must complete to qualify:
Training Circular 3-20.31-120 Gunnery: Heavy Tank - U.S. Army
Training Circular (TC) 3-20.31 , Training and Qualification, Crew, is the U.S. Army's foundational document for developing direct fire weapon proficiency across various vehicle platforms. Core Purpose and Scope The best and most official way to access TC 3-20
The circular establishes a standardized training strategy for crews to engage and destroy threats efficiently in any operational environment. It utilizes a Plan, Prepare, Execute, and Assess methodology to guide commanders and Master Gunners.
Primary Audience: Commanders, trainers, and Master Gunners of movement and maneuver units.
Applicable Units: Active Army, National Guard, Army Reserve, and U.S. Marine Corps units within Armor, Infantry, and Stryker brigades.
Platform Coverage: It applies to stabilized and mounted machine gun (MMG) platforms, including Stryker NBCRV and military police assigned to weapons platforms. The Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS)
TC 3-20.31 follows the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy (IWTS), which organizes training into progressive "gates" and "tables" to build skills from the individual level up to collective live-fire exercises. Key Gunnery Tables
The manual outlines a "crawl-walk-run" progression through six standard crew tables:
Table I: Gunnery Skills Test (GST). Teaches fundamentals such as maintenance and malfunction correction.
Table II: Simulations. Focuses on basic gunnery skills using training aids and simulators.
Table III: Proficiency. Refines skills before moving to live fire.
Table IV: Basic Live Fire. Often conducted at home station to build core proficiency.
Table V: Practice. Uses challenging scenarios and 3/4 scale targets to prepare for qualification.
Table VI: Qualification. The final evaluation performed on the crew’s vehicle to certify proficiency.
Training Circular 3-20.31-120 Gunnery: Heavy Tank - U.S. Army