Aiming is the continuous processing of weapon orientation, sight alignment, sight to target alignment, and deliberate holdover adjustment applied during shot preparation, taking the shot, and the follow-through necessary to take subsequent shots.
Aiming, as a continuous cycle, can be broken into:
Weapon orientation – orienting the weapon toward the target in a stable firing position
Sight Alignment – the physical alignment of all components of a sight system on a plane with the dominant eye and the target
Sight Picture – the complete line of sight through the sights to the target
Point of Aim (POA) – the specific location at which the line of sight intersects the target
Desired Point of Impact (POI) – the desired point of impact on the target to cause a lethal or incapacitating strike
