DA Form 85. Scorecard for M249 and M240 Machine Guns

The DA Form 85 is a document used to assess the performance of soldiers when using M249 and M240 machine guns. It consists of several parts that include the personal information of the soldier being assessed, the weapon details, rating scale, and signatures.

It is important to fill out the form accurately to ensure the success of its main purpose, which is to evaluate the proficiency of soldiers in handling and firing the specified weapons. Important fields include the name, rank, unit, weapon type, and serial number.

When filling out the DA Form 85, data such as range location, type of firing position, and date of assessment should be provided. Supporting documents such as target sheets or qualification records can also be attached to provide more context to the evaluation.

The parties involved are the soldier being evaluated and their supervising officer or instructor. The form's accurate completion is crucial as it affects future decisions on a soldier's career advancement opportunities and promotions.

Strengths of the DA Form 85 include its ability to provide a standardized process for evaluating soldiers and track progress over time. Weaknesses may include subjectivity in the rating scale and possible errors in recording information. Opportunities for improvement include integrating digital technology and automating data collection and analysis. Threats could include misuse or falsification of the scores.

Related forms to the DA Form 85 include the DA Form 7304-R and DD Form 5790/2, which are also used for assessing crew-served weapon gunnery skills and documenting live-fire qualification results, respectively. The specific weapons being evaluated or the level of detail required in the assessment varies between these forms.

The submission and storage of the DA Form 85 typically happens through the soldier's personnel file in a secure location. Its application examples include evaluating soldiers during weapons training exercises and documenting their performance for future reference.