1. Set Up

Install batteries in PVS-7. Attach and adjust Head Mount or Helmet Mount. Attach PVS-7.

Stand behind 20-foot line.

Turn lights OFF. Turn PVS-7 ON. Turn IR illuminator ON.

Adjust Interpupilary Distance. Slide eyepieces closer or farther apart so that each eye views each lens as a perfect circle.

Adjust Eye Relief. On the head mount and the helmet mount, adjust PVS-7 as close to the eyes as is comfortable to acquire maximum field of view. Lens caps should cover eyes.

Adjust Objective Lens. Turn Objective Lens fully counterclockwise. Rotate Objective Lens clockwise until both vertical and horizontal charts are clearly in focus.

Adjust each Diopter Ring. Turn both Diopter Rings fully counterclockwise. Close right eye. Turn left Diopter Ring clockwise until image first becomes clear. Do not turn past this point. Repeat this for right eyepiece. Re-adjust Objective Lens.

3. Afterwards, when re-focusing for distance, adjust Objective Lens ONLY. Do NOT re-adjust Diopter Rings.

Install batteries in PVS-7. Don and adjust Head Mount or Helmet Mount. Attach PVS-7.

Stand behind 20-foot line.

Turn lights OFF. Turn PVS-7 ON. Turn IR illuminator ON.

Adjust Interpupilary Distance. Slide eyepieces closer or farther apart so that each eye views each lens as a perfect circle.

Adjust Eye Relief. On the head mount and the helmet mount, adjust PVS-7 as close to the eyes as is comfortable to acquire maximum field of view. Lens caps should cover eyes.

Adjust Objective Lens. Turn Objective Lens fully counterclockwise. Rotate Objective Lens clockwise until both vertical and horizontal charts are clearly in focus.

Adjust each Diopter Ring. Turn both Diopter Rings fully counterclockwise. Close right eye. Turn left Diopter Ring clockwise until image first becomes clear. Do not turn past this point. Repeat this for right eyepiece. Re-adjust Objective Lens.

3. Afterwards, when re-focusing for distance, adjust Objective Lens ONLY. Do NOT re-adjust Diopter Rings.

• Tracer rounds are not needed and not recommended, except for unit leaders who need to control fires.
• Magazine change drills and immediate action drills need to be executed without looking. NVGs cannot be quickly re-focused onto magazine pouches or rifle for these actions.

• Using the PAQ-4 in continuous mode. Do NOT ‘search’ the battlefield. Use the PAQ-4 beam only when engaging targets. Unit leaders, using lasers to control fire, need to control their men’s use of individual weapons laser pointers.
• Mistaking another Marine’s PAQ-4C beam for your own.
• Not boresighting the PAQ-4C.
• Attempting to use the sights. The iron sights of the M-16A2 have absolutely NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy. The weapon’s BZO, or lack of BZO, has NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy.
• Firing without PAQ-4C. PVS-7 without a PAQ-4C allows the shooter to acquire targets but the shooter cannot use iron sights and PVS-7 does not improve accuracy.

• For 5.56mm, see TTP 1., above. The M-203 PAQ-4C mount is harder to use than the M-16A2 mount.
• For 40mm grenades, PVS-7 allow the shooter to acquire targets, but the goggles cannot be quickly re-focused onto the weapon to use the leaf or quadrant sights.

Procedure. Focus PVS-7 to infinity. Establish solid firing position with butt of weapon in shoulder. Do NOT attempt to align head with sights. Acquire target using PVS-7. Activate PAQ-4C beam. Adjust PAQ-4C spot onto target. Pull trigger.

• Tracer rounds are not needed and are not recommended for PAQ-4C firing. Conversely, if the M-249 does NOT have a PAQ-4C, tracer rounds are the ONLY way to fire accurately at night.
• Ammunition reload drills, barrel change drills, and immediate action drills need to be executed without looking. NVGs cannot be quickly re-focused onto the weapon for these actions.

• Using the PAQ-4 in continuous mode. Do NOT ‘search’ the battlefield. Use the PAQ-4 beam only when engaging targets. Unit leaders, using lasers to direct fire, need to limit their men’s use of individual weapons laser pointers.
• Mistaking another Marine’s PAQ-4C beam for your own.
• Not boresighting the PAQ-4C. Until the Marine Corps acquires a PAQ-4C mount for the M-249, field expedient mounts will be difficult to accurately boresight.
• Attempting to use the sights. The iron sights of the M-249 have absolutely NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy. The weapon’s BZO, or lack of BZO, or range setting, has NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy.
• Firing without PAQ-4C. PVS-7, used without a PAQ-4C, does allow the shooter to acquire targets but shooter cannot use iron sights and PVS-7 does not improve accuracy.

4. Fire the M-240G with PVS-7 and PAQ-4C

Procedure. Focus PVS-7 to infinity. Establish solid firing position with butt of weapon in shoulder. Do NOT attempt to align head with sights or establish stock weld. Acquire target using PVS-7. Activate PAQ-4C beam. Adjust PAQ-4C spot onto target. Pull trigger.

• Tracer rounds are not needed and not recommended for PAQ-4C firing. Conversely, if the M-240G does NOT have a PAQ-4C, tracer rounds are the ONLY way to fire accurately at night.
• Ammunition reload drills, barrel change drills, and immediate action drills need to be executed without looking. NVGs cannot be quickly re-focused onto the weapon for these actions.

• Firing without an assistant gunner. M-240G muzzle flash ‘whites-out’ NVGs, making it hard for the gunner to adjust fire.
• Using the PAQ-4 in continuous mode. Do NOT ‘search’ the battlefield. Use the PAQ-4 beam only when engaging targets. Unit leaders, using lasers to direct fire, need to control their men’s use of individual weapons laser pointers.
• Mistaking another Marine’s PAQ-4C beam for your own.
• Not boresighting the PAQ-4C. Until the Marine Corps acquires a PAQ-4C mount for the M-240G, field expedient mounts will be difficult to accurately boresight.
• Attempting to use the sights. The iron sights of the M-240G have NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy. The weapon’s BZO, or lack of BZO, or range setting, has NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy.
• Firing without PAQ-4C. PVS-7, used without a PAQ-4C, does allow the shooter to acquire targets but shooter cannot use iron sights and PVS-7 does not improve accuracy.

Procedure. Remove optical sight. Mount PAQ-4C, inverted, to sight mount. Focus PVS-7 to infinity. Acquire target using PVS-7. Do NOT attempt to align head with sights. Activate PAQ-4C beam. Adjust PAQ-4C spot onto target. Do NOT fire spotting rounds. Pull trigger.

Techniques. Ammunition reload drills and immediate action drills need to be executed without looking. NVGs cannot be quickly re-focused onto the weapon for these actions. 3X magnifier can be used.

• Using the PAQ-4 in continuous mode. Do NOT ‘search’ the battlefield. Use the PAQ-4 beam only when engaging targets. Unit leaders, using lasers to direct fire, need to limit their men’s use of individual weapons laser pointers.
• Mistaking another Marine’s PAQ-4C beam for your own.
• Not boresighting the PAQ-4C. Until the Marine Corps acquires a PAQ-4C mount for the Mk153, field expedient mounting will be difficult to accurately boresight.
• Attempting to use the sight. Sights have NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy.
• Firing without PAQ-4C. PVS-7, used without a PAQ-4C, does allow the shooter to acquire targets but shooter cannot use day sight and PVS-7 does not improve accuracy.

Note. See Section 2.3 for mounting, boresighting, and firing the Mk153 SMAW with PAQ-4C.

Procedure. Setup mortar with M7 assault baseplate. Acquire target with PVS-7. Keep eye on target. Call out distance estimate to assistant gunner. Align tube with target. Assistant gunner, viewing luminous range scale, calls ‘forward’ or ‘back’ to adjust range and loads weapon. Pull trigger.

• Task overload. One man cannot shift focus between target and luminous range scale.
• Range estimation is difficult at night. See TTP 11., below.
• Distant target. The maximum range for PVS-7 is only 300m. 3X magnifer can be used.

Procedure. Mount PAQ-4C to AT-4 using field expedient means. Do NOT attempt to align head with sights. Acquire target using PVS-7. Activate PAQ-4C beam. Adjust PAQ-4C spot onto target. Pull trigger.

• Boresighting. AT-4 expedient mounting cannot by boresighted.
• Illumination. Set up AT-4 in the dark. Remove PVS-7. Normal AT-4 sights can be used if target area is illuminated immediately before firing.

• Using the PAQ-4 in continuous mode. Do NOT ‘search’ the battlefield. Use the PAQ-4 beam only when engaging targets. Unit leaders, using lasers to direct fire, need to limit their men’s use of individual weapons laser pointers.
• Mistaking another Marine’s PAQ-4C beam for your own.
• Attempting to use the sights. Sights have absolutely NO effect on PAQ-4C accuracy.
• Firing without PAQ-4C. PVS-7, used without a PAQ-4C, does allow the shooter to set up weapon and acquire targets but shooter cannot use sight and PVS-7 does not improve AT-4 accuracy.

8. Fire the M-9 using PVS-7

Procedure. Focus PVS-7 on target. Do NOT attempt to align head with sights. Acquire target using PVS-7. Align body so PVS-7 vision parallels weapon direction. Focus ‘over the sights.’ Pull trigger.

9. Read a map with PVS-7

Procedure. Lay the map on a flat, stationary surface. Holding head and goggles steady at a fixed distance, focus goggles on map. (20) centimeters is minimum focus range. Use a finger or pencil to maintain position on map when scanning remainder of map or looking at other objects.

Techniques. Tape all overlays to map to minimize moving parts. Fold map to minimize searching and folding in the dark. Use a second Marine to read notes or sketches, write notes, or talk on the radio.

• Attempting to read the map ‘off-hand’. Movement of hand and head makes focusing impossible.
• Task overload. Due to fixed-distance focus and limited field of view, maintain the NVG on one item. Have a second Marine focus on other tasks.

• Ded Reckoning. Hold compass steady against body. Adjust NVGs to read dial. Look up and adjust NVGs to distant steering mark. Walk.
• Terrain-Association. Adjust NVGs to infinity. While moving, observe terrain, and follow preplanned route. Realize that many terrain features appear different or not at all on NVGs.

• Maintain focus on distant terrain. Do no attempt to continuously refocus NVGs on ground or vegetation. When stopping to read map, see TTP 8., above.
• While moving, binoculars can also be used to improve distant night viewing.
• Realize that sense of hearing, smell, and touch is decreased due to concentration required for NVGs.
• The Lensatic Compass has luminous markings. Silva-type compasses are difficult to read with NVGs.
• Realize that depth perception is poor when using PVS-7. Experience with PVS-7 increases ability to perceive depth.

• Overconfidence. NVGs do not turn night into day. Good route planning is still a necessity.
• Tunnel vision. NVGs cut view from 188° to 40° . Scan continuously to make up for this limitation.
• Using the PVS-7 compass. This compass is off by approximately 15° due to metal in the mount. Use this compass for general orientation. Do not use this compass for taking azimuths while ded reckoning.
• Using the IR illuminator. In the 1982 Falklands War, British patrols could clearly observe Argentinean leaders moving at night with their NVG IR illuminators turned on.

11. Estimate Range using PVS-7

Procedure. Acquire target with PVS-7. Estimate range to target.

• Use a map. Know your position. Look for identifying terrain features on the ground that can be found on the map. Have a second man look at the map to avoid refocusing between the map and the ground.
• Use a Laser Pointer to mark target for another Marine on PVS-7. Compare range estimates.
• Realize that depth perception is poor when using PVS-7. Experience with PVS-7 increases ability to perceive depth.

• Underestimation. At night, at ranges under 800m, Marines tend to underestimate range. If the terrain between the observer and his target is low ground, Marines tend to underestimate the range.
• Distant Target. The maximum range for PVS-7 is only 300m.

12. Call for Mortars, Artillery, and NSFS using PVS-7 to observe

Procedure. Focus PVS-7 to infinity. Use the bracket technique to get rounds on target. Realize that it is difficult to estimate distance using the PVS-7 at night. HE rounds are clearly visible on PVS-7, sometimes the glowing shrapnel can be observed flying through the air.

• Because PVS-7 reduces depth perception, use a map to help spot rounds. Determine distances by comparing surrounding terrain to the target. When a round splashes, try to plot its location on the map.
• With PVS-7, white phosphorous mortar rounds work well for adjusting because the round is visible burning on the deck. For artillery, the M825 felt wedges look like burning red coals on the deck.
• During high light level nights, M-22 binoculars can be used to measure mil deviation. Locate the round with PVS-7 and then quickly switch to the M-22 to measure deviation and estimate distance.
• During low light level nights, M-22 binoculars cannot be used. The ‘Hand Estimation Method’ cannot be used with PVS-7 due to the requirement for rapidly focusing from far to near.
• Realize that depth perception is poor when using PVS-7. Experience with PVS-7 increases ability to perceive depth.
• A mil scale lens cap for the PVS-7 would allow observers to estimate left and right adjustments.
• Using coordinated illumination allows the observer to operate in daylight conditions.

• Marking a target for aircraft is best done using M825 improved smoke. The felt wedges look like burning coals spread on the deck, and are clearly visible for minutes. The smoke screen may obscure the mark for non-IR equipped aircraft. WP has a bright flash, but subsides too quickly.

• Not realizing the depth perception limitations of the PVS-7.
• Not using the map to become familiar with the terrain around the target area.
• Not using PVS-7. Calling and adjusting at night is difficult to the unaided eye. HE produces a quick flash that is seen momentarily, if at all. WP produces an intense flash, but subsides quickly.

Procedure. Focus PVS-7 to infinity. Divide up the sky. Using a map for terrain association and the aircraft’s final attack heading, sector off the airspace from which the aircraft will approach. Using all available eyes focused on this airspace, search for the ‘moving star’ with the aid of the PVS-7. Once the aircraft is acquired, padlock it. Do not look away.

Techniques. PVS-7 focused at infinity reduces the halo effect caused by the high luminance of the stars.

• Not looking in the right direction. Always use the map to sector off the sky.
• Tunnel vision. PVS-7s cut field of view from 188° to 40° . Scan continuously to compensate for reduced FOV.
• Losing sight of the aircraft. Once the aircraft is located, do not look away, or have a member of the TACP team watch the aircraft. This will save having to find the aircraft twice.
• Task saturation. One man spots and clears the aircraft to deliver ordinance. Assign someone to operate the laser pointer and any other distracting tasks.

14. Call for Close Air Support using PVS-7. See Hand-held Laser Pointer TTP.

15. Execute surveillance with PVS-7 and 3X Magnifier.

Procedure. Attach 3X to PVS-7. Focus on target area. Scan continuously.

Techniques. 3X makes goggles heavy. For long periods of surveillance, rest goggles on a flat surface. Narrow field of view requires constant movement to cover sector of observation. Binoculars can augment surveillance even at night. Relieve observers frequently.

• Overconfidence. 3X gives greater magnification, but at a cost of less light and less field of view. The image is darker and some targets are more difficult to identify.
• Obscuration. Any type of smoke or fog reduces the PVS-7s ability to see objects. This works to reduce the enemy’s NVG capability as well.

16. Clear a room with PVS-7

Procedure. Flip up PVS-7 on Helmet Mount. Turn on white-light weapons-mounted flashlight. Allow eyes to adjust. Clear rooms and buildings using white light.

• White light is recommended in MOUT. In buildings and restricted areas, the PVS-7 reduced field of view is a significant hazard. White light increases field of view, permits accurate target identification, and allows building lights to be used. Muzzle flashes, pyro, detonations, or cultural lighting does not blind Marines. Each Marine needs a weapons-mounted white-light flashlight.
• In large, open buildings such as hangars, use PVS-7 with IR illuminator on, augmented with IR illuminators. A weapons-mounted flashlight with an IR filter is recommended.
• When moving between buildings, PVS-7 should be used. From outside a building, IR weapons pointers can be used to illuminate inside darkened hallways, and open windows.

Common Errors. Attempting to clear rooms and buildings using the IR illuminator on PVS-7.

17. Pass Hand and Arm Signals using PVS-7

Techniques. PVS-7 do NOT mount to the standard CVC helmet.

Techniques. PVS-7 have difficulty seeing IR chemlites mounted on engine housing rear. Using PVS-7 to take bearings for navigation is difficult due to range limitations.

20. Don PVS-7 while moving on foot

Techniques. PRC-119 has illuminated control panel. Most radio tasks can be accomplished without NVGs.

Procedure. Attach PVS-7 to Helmet Mount.

Techniques. Head Mount CANNOT be worn with field protective mask.

Techniques. Extensive practice is required to develop NVG climbing ability. Skill to re-focus PVS-7 between cliff face, hands, and equipment makes technique difficult to train large numbers of climbers.

Procedure. Load M-16A2 magazine. Load M-249. Load M-240G.

Techniques. Marines must be trained to conduct immediate actions by feel in the dark. Refocusing PVS-7 onto the weapons is slow. Using the IR illuminator is dangerous.

30. React to illumination with PVS-7

Procedure. Turn head. Close eyes. If goggles shut down, turn switch to OFF, then ON to reset.

• If situation will not allow you to close both eyes, close one eye. Dark adaptation occurs independently in each eye.
• When firing a weapon, use short bursts to minimize muzzle flash and maintain dark adaptation.

Common Errors. Looking at illumination through goggles.

Techniques. When wearing the flak jacket and lying in the prone, the PVS-7 on the helmet mount is pushed toward the ground, making it difficult to maintain visibility.

Procedure. Turn goggles toward distant unit. Using IR switch, turn IR illuminator on and off to pass required signal. Observe distant unit for proper response.

• Linkup procedures. Standard Operating Procedure should define linkup signal: "Moving unit initiates signal with four flashes. Stationary unit responds with two flashes."
• POSREP procedures. During SBF drill or other coordination drill, have distant unit signal: "Flash IR twice to confirm location."
• Signals should conform to standard usage. Two of anything is YES. Three of anything is DANGER.

Common Errors. Speed. Slow, deliberate signals are easier to see and recognize.