After observing the round or brass ejecting, what should you do next in the SPORTS procedure?

In the SPORTS procedure, which is a troubleshooting process used to address a malfunction with the M16 or M4 rifle, the steps are sequential and designed to ensure the weapon is ready to fire again.

After observing the round or brass ejecting, the appropriate next step is to proceed with sighting in and firing the weapon. This indicates that the shooter should be prepared to engage targets if the weapon is functioning properly. Observing ejection of a round typically suggests that the weapon has cycled correctly to some extent, and proceeding to aim and fire can confirm whether the issue has been resolved.

In context, the other choices involve actions that might be relevant in different scenarios but not in this specific step. For instance, releasing the bolt or pulling the charging handle may be necessary if there was a jam or failure to extract, but since ejecting indicates that the weapon is cycling, these options would not apply immediately after that observation. Seeking cover is crucial in combat situations but does not pertain directly to the mechanical troubleshooting of the weapon in this specific context. Thus, moving forward to sight and fire leverages the observations made during the SPORTS procedure correctly.