You ought to swerve into the WACO cops TWIN PEAKS conversation....
I'll check it out.
The military teaches small arms fire discipline. Without it a firefight becomes a Chinese fire drill and the enemy perceives he is confronting undisciplined or inexperienced opponents.
From The Marine Rifleman Combat Skills Manual:
. . .Fire discipline is the state of order, coolness, efficiency, and obedience existing among Marines engaged in a firefight. It implies careful attention to instructions relative to theuse of the rifle, automatic rifle, and grenade launcher in combat and the exact execution of fireorders. Fire discipline is necessary for proper control, and upon this control depends the effectiveness of collective unit fire. Training in fire discipline starts with your first drill and continues throughout your military training. Alertness and the habit of obedience are essential.Fire discipline is maintained by leaders chiefly by their example of coolness and courage. . .
Rates of fire. A trained Marine rifleman can fire approximately 10 to 12 aimed shots per minute. Difficulties encountered in battle usually make a slower rate advisable. The maximum rate at which a rifleman or automatic rifleman should fire is determined by the ability to select distinct targets, set the sights, and squeeze off accurate shots. To exceed this rate of fire is to waste ammunition. . .