Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

DEFCA413B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate a direct fire support weapon

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency DEFCA413B - Operate a direct fire support weapon
Description This unit covers the competency required to operate a direct fire support weapon, including any in service 66 mm or 84 mm direct fire support weapon.Operating a direct fire support weapon involves the ability to safely handle, safely maintain, safely operate and safely fire the direct fire support weapon.The weapon is designed to be carried by a person. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This competency was developed for combat arms personnel required to operate direct fire support weapons in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.The individual will be under supervision, usually as part of a team and will usually operate under direct orders.All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Safely handle a direct fire support weapon
  • Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation.
  • Direct fire support weaponis handled and carried safely in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Ammunition is identified and selected, and safely handled in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Direct fire support weapon is secured in accordance with standard procedures.
       
Element: Safely maintain a direct fire support weapon
  • Direct fire support weapon is stripped and assembled in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Direct fire support weapon and associated equipment are cleaned and serviced as required, in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Ammunition is cleaned, inspected, carried and secured in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Defects are identified and rectified within limits of authority or reported to supervisor.
  • Documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures.
       
Element: Safely operate a direct fire support weapon
  • Weapon drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Marksmanship principles are applied in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Fire positions are adopted as required by environment and threat.
  • Weapon equipment is employed as required in accordance with standard procedures.
       
Element: Safely fire a direct fire support weapon
  • Direct fire support weapon is safely fired in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief are complied with when firing a direct fire support weapon on a range, in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Targets are identified and engaged in accordance with standard procedures.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

conduct all weapon drills as listed in the Range Statement

fire the weapon

act as part of a team

recognise the limit of own authority

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed using live ammunition on a live firing range.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a direct fire support weapon, ammunition and a live firing range.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

adopt appropriate firing position

aim the direct fire support weapon

apply immediate action and stoppage drills

apply recognised safety precautions

Required Knowledge

characteristics, technical capabilities, effects, employment and limitations of the direct fire support weapon and ammunition

degrees of weapon readiness

WHS requirements

marksmanship principles

range safety

safety precautions of the direct fire support weapon

types of targets

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Standard procedures may include:

Australian Standards

defence instructions

doctrine pamphlets

job guides, other publications

manufacturers' handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

WHS regulations

organisational policies and procedures

procedure manuals

relevant local government by-laws

relevant state/territory or federal legislation

routine orders

standing orders

standing operating procedures

written and verbal orders

Ammunition may include:

dummy

high explosive

high explosive anti tank

high explosive dual purpose

illumination

smoke

practice

sub calibre

Defects may include:

broken firing pin

broken cocking rod

burrs

bulging

corrosion

cracks

damaged sighting system

faulty extension system

faulty firing mechanism

incorrect serial numbers

out of date or missing fully functional classification label

Weapon drills must include:

safety precautions (e.g. checking clearances)

degrees of weapon readiness

immediate action and stoppage

Marksmanship principles may include:

position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon

weapon must point naturally at the target without undue physical effort

shot must be released and followed through without disturbance to the firers position

aiming must be correct

Fire positions may include:

kneeling

prone

sitting

squatting

standing

supported or unsupported

Weapon equipment may include:

complete equipment schedule (CES), such as:

cleaning equipment

slings

weapon sighting systems

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Work health and safety (WHS) requirements and recognised safety precautions are applied throughout the operation. 
Direct fire support weaponis handled and carried safely in accordance with standard procedures. 
Ammunition is identified and selected, and safely handled in accordance with standard procedures. 
Direct fire support weapon is secured in accordance with standard procedures. 
Direct fire support weapon is stripped and assembled in accordance with standard procedures. 
Direct fire support weapon and associated equipment are cleaned and serviced as required, in accordance with standard procedures. 
Ammunition is cleaned, inspected, carried and secured in accordance with standard procedures. 
Defects are identified and rectified within limits of authority or reported to supervisor. 
Documentation is completed in accordance with standard procedures. 
Weapon drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures. 
Marksmanship principles are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 
Fire positions are adopted as required by environment and threat. 
Weapon equipment is employed as required in accordance with standard procedures. 
Direct fire support weapon is safely fired in accordance with standard procedures. 
Range Safety Brief and Practice Brief are complied with when firing a direct fire support weapon on a range, in accordance with standard procedures. 
Targets are identified and engaged in accordance with standard procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA413B - Operate a direct fire support weapon
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFCA413B - Operate a direct fire support weapon

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: