Small Arms Master Gunner Small Arms Master Gunner ( SAMG ) is an appointment of a subject matter expert in the field of small arms , optics , and lasers for combat units . Not all units have Small Arms Master Gunners . Units who understand that the knowledge of operating a weapon in conjunction with the myriad assortment of optics and lasers to their fullest extent employ SAMG ' s to help keep their operators current on these devices . Having a " go - to - guy " at the Division , Brigade , and Battalion levels , who can supply the correct off - sets for bore - lighting the lasers , and who not only understands , but can teach how to zero the optics correctly is an invaluable commodity in the Combat Arms Arena . In the United States Infantry , Small Arms Master Gunners are experts in all aspects of the units weapon systems . The " weapon systems " range from the standard Infantry rifle with optic and laser , assigned machine guns and grenade launchers , with optics and lasers , as well as any specialized ( Sniper ) weapons that may be fielded . The Small Arms Master Gunners fill advisory rather than command posts . They are trained to assist in the planning , development , execution , and evaluation of all weapon systems , to include crew served weapons related training ( individual , crew , and collective ) , unit planning for ranges , and are able to resource needed materials for each piece of equipment . History . In 2000 at Fort Benning Georgia , the Infantry schoolhouse saw the need to create a SAMG course that would get NCO ' s " smart " on the optics ( namely the M - 68 ) and lasers ( namely the PEQ - 4 ) being fielded during this time . A curriculum was created by the 2 - 29th , and NCO ' s from the 18th Airborne Corps ( 82nd ABN DIV , 101st ABN ( ASSLT ) , and the 10th MTN DIV ) attended . The schoolhouse lasted only a year and a half , but not due to lack of progress . As soon as a mechanized Infantry Sergeant Major took over , the school , along with its resources were abolished , as the mechanized mentality says , " There ' s no need for small arms master gunner , only big bullets matter . " Fort Bragg seized the initiative and began its own course in 2001 . This school taught small arms , as well as the Javelin . During this time , the Army was being fielded optics and lasers in rapid succession , due to the events of 9 / 11 . The course ran until optempo to Afghanistan and Iraq depleted the units on post , because every Brigade was deployed ; however by this time , every Battalion , Brigade , and the Division had their own dedicated Small Arms Master Gunners . Training remained at these levels until 2010 . In 2010 , the Fort Bliss Command Sergeant Major realized that the knowledge on weapons , optics , lasers , and now thermals , was virtually nonexistent . He noticed different companies within Battalions were zeroing all their equipment differently . Soldiers didn ' t know how to use their lasers or thermals , and there was no consistency on the installation . He appointed a 1st Armored Division Small Arms Master Gunner ( a graduate of the Fort Bragg SAMG course ) to create a curriculum that would put all his NCO ' s on the same page with the various equipment issued throughout his Division . The Fort Bliss SAMG built a course that encompassed every weapon , laser , and optic used on Fort Bliss . There had to be many changes made to the course that the SAMG was building , versus the one he attended in 2001 . This course also included an introduction to the many available training tools and resources that most Fort Bliss NCO ' s were unaware of . The SAMG partnered with industry and incorporated NAMMO Talley Defense , as well as INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY ( L - 3 ) into the course , in order to effectively train NCO ' s on the equipment the CORRECT way . Great strides were reached on Fort Bliss , and by 2012 the Fort Bliss Division SAMG was teaching a course once a quarter , running competitions on the installation , and was a " one - stop - shop " for anything small arms related . During this time , the Fort Bliss SAMG program had trained over 200 Non - Commissioned Officers ( as well as one highly motivated Captain ) . It had also shared its curriculum with the 25th ID , and the unit which originally spawned the SAMG course , 2 - 29 at Fort Benning GA . The Fort Bliss PCSM , who had originally appointed the Fort Bliss SAMG , left Fort Bliss in summer 2012 . Fort Bliss ' G - 3 SGM did not share the same enthusiasm for the lethality of the Soldier on the ground ( he ' s a tanker . . . see the pattern ? ) and the Fort Bliss Small Arms Master Gunner Course disintegrated in February 2013 , as the original Fort Bliss SAMG retired . Future . 2 - 29 at Fort Benning GA , was given the entire curriculum for the SAMG course as it stands in its current form . It is ironic that the course had gone full circle , away from its creators at 2 - 29 . . . but they are the best hope for sustaining , and maintaining the course . Civilian contracting the course could work , however , Non - Commissioned Officers should be teaching the course . The civilians could write classes , and connect with industry on the latest & greatest , but the course needs flexibility , since it is shaped by After Action Reviews from students . Perhaps irony may play into this situation again . . . Fort Benning is the Maneuver Center of Excellence , and every Mechanized leader who can has killed this program in the past . As of July 31 , 2013 , Fort Bliss is attempting to resurrect the Fort Bliss Small Arms Master Gunner Program . Duties . The Small Arms Master Gunner ' s specific duties ; SME on all weapons in the unit which the SAMG operates . SME on all optics in the unit which the SAMG operates . SME on all lasers in the unit which the SAMG operates . SME on all thermal devices in the unit which the SAMG operates . SME on all laser range finders in the unit which the SAMG operates . Oversee the qualification , and sustainment training of all weapon systems . Assist the Commander in a 6 - month training plan for ranges , ammo , and certification as per DIV GUNSOP & below . SME on available training resources . Supervise live - fire ranges to ensure SOP ' s are followed Advise the commander of the tactical capabilities of all weapons and weapon systems . http : / / fbmonitor . com / 2011 / 11 / 22 / small - arms - master - gunners - course - now - at - fort - bliss - course - serves - as - model - for - forscom / Typical SAMG Unit Structure . http : / / commons . wikimedia . org / wiki / File : U . S . _ Army _ Staff _ Sgt . _ Christopher _ Ginn , _ an _ instructor _ at _ the _ Small _ Arms _ Master _ Gunner _ Course _ assists _ students _ by _ teaching _ them _ proper _ firing _ techniques _ for _ light _ machine _ guns _ such _ as _ the _ M249 , _ at _ Camp _ Atterbury _ 111212 - A - CP678 - 125 . jpg