Final answer:
Soldiers must be cognitively aware of mental readiness, technical proficiency, and operational vigilance to handle weapons safely and effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
To safely and effectively handle weapons, soldiers must be cognitively aware of three distinct weapons handling measures which involve mental readiness, technical proficiency, and operational vigilance. Mental readiness includes using language, thinking, learning, and remembering; it espouses mental preparedness and adaptability. Technical proficiency is about the mastery of weapon functions and safety measures, akin to a soldier's way of keeping material for raising fire always ready. Operational vigilance encompasses recognizing signals in noise, monitoring, mental resources, and the ability to maintain divided attention in the battlefield environment. These measures align with Clausewitz's principles of military method which involve measurement, estimation of quantity, calculation, and balancing of chances.