Did you know the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aka NASA, has a number of firearm qualifications? This includes SMG, rifle, handgun, and shotgun. You might ask why the Rocket Boys need firearms, and it’s pretty simple. Astro zombies. Glenn Danzig and the Misfits told us all about the Astro Zombies decades ago, and we just didn’t listen. NASA did, and that’s why today we are exploring the NASA SMG qual.
Okay, maybe it’s not actually Astro Zombies, but for their protective Services. NASA has some pretty sensitive materials and technology, as well as plenty of force protection concerns. NASA employs Special Agents as well as Security Police officers around the country to provide protection to their facilities, personnel, and equipment. Those officers and agents have to be trained for their future role as moon cops.
The moon Marshal Service is serious business, and that’s why we are examining the NASA SMG qual.
The NASA SMG Qual — What You’ll Need
Ammo requirements depend on how you wish to run the qual. NASA’s own documents give the shooter a Phase 1 practice run before the Phase 2 qualification. The two phases are identical. Each phase requires 50 rounds, so you can use up to 100 rounds if you so choose.
I doubt many of us have an SMG on hand, so a semi-auto PCC or subgun works well enough. Personally, I went with PSA AK-V in 9mm with just iron sights. It fits the bill, and I enjoy shooting it. You’ll need at least two magazines and a mag pouch to carry the spare mag.
The target is listed as IPSIC, and I can’t help but think that someone said IPSC and they spelled it phonetically. I couldn’t find an IPSIC target, but we are likely all familiar with an IPSC target. The qual calls for one of these targets. You will also need something to act as a high barricade to be your notional cover, as well as a shot timer to measure your times.
Don’t forget to grab your eyes and ears to keep safe.
Scoring
The NASA SMG qual is simple, and so is scoring. Every round that hits the target counts as a hit. The minimum passing score is 40 hits for most shooters and 45 hits for the Emergency Response Team. Let’s try for 45 hits.
The NASA SMG Qual Course of Fire
Remember, according to NASA, you can shoot this qual twice, once for practice and once for qualification. It’s the exact same course of fire, so just repeat it as you see fit. With that in mind, I have a couple of admin notes. Shooters will start in the low ready for each string of fire unless noted. Second, to make things easy, load both magazines with 25 rounds. This course of fire also calls for ‘bursts,’ which we’ll translate as rapid double taps.
Stage One: Range – 25 Yards
This stage requires you to use the high barricade. Shooters can use the barricade for support and can start in the barricade position. On your timer, you’ll fire two rounds into the target in four seconds.
You’ll repeat this drill four more times for a total of 10 rounds fired.
Stage 2: Range – 15 Yards
Ditch the barricade and walk up to the 15-yard line. At the beep, you’ll begin engaging the target with a total of 16 rounds in semi-auto. You can engage as you see fit. Once you’ve fired 15 rounds, your gun will be empty. Forcing you to reload. Once reloaded, fire that last round, and the drill is over.
You have 25 seconds to accomplish this string of fire.
Stage Three: Range – Seven Yards
This string of fire calls for automatic fire, but unless you have a transferable or dealer sample machine gun, that’s off the table. Use fast double taps to simulate the two-round bursts.
From the low ready, you’ll fire a two-round ‘burst’ in three seconds on target. You’ll repeat this string of fire six times for a total of twelve rounds.
Stage Four: Range – Three Yards
At three yards, you’ll be in the standing and starting in the low ready. We are still in full auto mode or, for most of us, rapid double-tap mode. At the beep, you’ll fire a two-round ‘burst’ in three seconds. You’ll complete this string a total of six times for a total of twelve rounds.
That’s it, wrap it up, clear, and make safe. You’re all done for the day.
What I’d Change
The NASA SMG qual is fairly easy. If you can’t get a perfect fifty on this course of fire, then you might need some dry fire practice. IPSC targets are huge, and you aren’t forced to hit the A zone. I’d crank the difficulty up and give one point for A Zone hits, half point for C zone hits, and everything else is a miss. Even then, the qual would still be fairly easy.
I really like the second stage, the shoot 15, then reload. Shoot one reload one is a lame way to train, and when you are shooting 15 rounds, your reload is less predictable and might take you by surprise.
The times are also a little too generous. The double taps in the last two stages could be done in two seconds and be a bit tighter on time to make it more challenging. Also, a little movement and fire wouldn’t be a bad thing. The SMG is a maneuverable weapon, so learn to maneuver with it.
It’s not a terrible qual, but it’s not very demanding or difficult. Anyone could pass it. If you can adequately hold the weapon, you can probably pass this qualification. Also, no mention of how to control an SMG in low gravity, which might be important for the Moon Marshals.
Moon Marshals and Space Marines
The NASA SMG qual delivers a solid shooting experience for new PCC owners. It’s fun and gives a nice guided means to train. Anyone with a little experience will likely find it a bit too easy. However, it’s interesting to see how the Moon Marshals are trained. Give it a try, and let us know what you think below!
