At the beginning of a course of fire, what command is announced to the shooters?

The command "Shooter, load and make ready" is standard protocol at the beginning of a course of fire in firearm training and competitive shooting. This command instructs the shooters to load their firearms and prepare them for the shooting sequence, ensuring that they are ready to perform safely and effectively.

This command signifies that the shooters need to transition from a state of readiness to one where their weapons are actually loaded and operational for the upcoming drill. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared because once this command is given, the shooters are expected to engage targets or follow through with the course of fire.

While other commands may seem relevant, they do not carry the same meaning. For instance, commands like "Shooter, prepare for fire" and "Shooter, stand by" suggest an initial readiness stage but do not specify the need to load the weapon, which is crucial for the active participation in the firing course. "Shooter, take your positions" is more about the physical positioning of the shooters rather than preparing their firearms for action. Therefore, "Shooter, load and make ready" is the most appropriate and informative command at this stage in order to ensure that all participants are properly equipped and prepared for the exercise ahead.