text: Live-Fire Training
  proper train up and qualification with those specific pieces of equipment to mitigate risk and ensure success
  in gaining expertise.
  I-31. Communications requirements are the same for a night live-fire range as they are for a day live-fire
  range. The difference is that units use plain red star clusters as an emergency cease fire signal during the
  night instead of red smoke which is not visible at night (see local range requirements).
  I-32. Special considerations for night exercises exist for leaders of LFXs. At night, LFXs are inherently
  more complex due to the increased difficulty of control, target identification, location identification, and
  execution. Controlling movement and checking positions of personnel and vehicles becomes more difficult.
  Every precaution must be taken to ensure the safety of personnel. A plan for night firing contains all the
  details of day firing with additional considerations to ensure successful training and safety.
  I-33. Light and weather data are considerations for leaders. When planning a night LFX, light data must
  be considered. For example, high illumination greatly enhances command and control. On the other hand,
  low illumination makes navigation and orientation more difficult especially when combining dismounted and
  mounted elements. A heavy overcast will negate the effects of the moon and stars. As the time for the night
  fire draws near, staff should closely monitor the weather.
  I-34. Illumination should be planned by the firing unit as it would be in combat. Even if the firing unit does
  not intend to use fire support, it should still plan for illumination for practice.
  I-35. Training realism is a procedure leaders consider. Every effort should be made to increase the realism
  of live fire to mirror the realism of combat. All Soldiers should participate in LFXs with the weapon system
  and protective gear they would use in combat. This will allow Soldiers to acclimatize and prepare for combat
  when needed. Vehicles in live fire should operate closed-hatch. Chemical, biological, radiological, and
  nuclear (known as CBRN) protective garments should be worn, as available, to prepare dismounted Soldiers
  and vehicle crews to operate in the most extreme of environments in training that they may encounter in
  combat.
  I-36. Multiechelon training is a consideration for leaders. All live-fire training should include as many
  subordinate and higher-level echelons as can be incorporated. The complexity and synchronization
  constructed will lead to a more robust and realistic live fire for both the training audience and the trainers.
  I-37. Integration of assets at echelon by warfighting function is a procedure leaders consider. When
  planning a LFX, commanders and staff account for additional assets that could be available by warfighting
  function and at echelon. This is especially true when units utilize LFXs as part of multiechelon training.
  LIVE FIRE AS LEADER DEVELOPMENT
  I-38. LFXs provide an excellent opportunity to plan and execute leader development during each stage of
  the training management cycle. The following vignette on page I-8 illustrates not only the complexity
  involved in planning a successful combined arms live-fire exercise (known as CALFEX), but also the
  opportunities available for leader development planning and execution.