Posted on Jul 23, 2015
Were you trained and qualified to fire a weapon in basic training and or beyond?
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There is a lot of talk about recruiters being qualified to carry a weapon. It was brought to my attention that not all MOS' were given training to carry a weapon and or to fire a weapon. Out of curiosity I thought I'd post the question here on RP.
I qualified with .45 cal, 9mm, M-16. I also fired the 12 gauge as well as an AT-4 and threw hand grenades as a part of my training. We were trained to break down and reassemble with a time requirement. We also broke down and cleaned and reassembled our weapons routinely. SPORTS was drilled into our heads so that we could do it without thinking as well as how to recognize and correct the malfunctions and or stoppage of a M16. How to mechanically zero, adjust fire, complete function checks, know the 8 steps of functioning for a M16..... I don't know if the reason we were drilled so hard on this was because our DS was Infantry or if every single MP received the same training. I'm sorry to hear not everyone received the same standard of training.
I qualified with .45 cal, 9mm, M-16. I also fired the 12 gauge as well as an AT-4 and threw hand grenades as a part of my training. We were trained to break down and reassemble with a time requirement. We also broke down and cleaned and reassembled our weapons routinely. SPORTS was drilled into our heads so that we could do it without thinking as well as how to recognize and correct the malfunctions and or stoppage of a M16. How to mechanically zero, adjust fire, complete function checks, know the 8 steps of functioning for a M16..... I don't know if the reason we were drilled so hard on this was because our DS was Infantry or if every single MP received the same training. I'm sorry to hear not everyone received the same standard of training.
MOS
Weapons
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 64
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CPT (Join to see) Most folks train on rifle marksmanship in basic training. Army Reserve/NG typically trains yearly on our assigned weapon, in my case the M9. When deploying, I setup the training for our unit so that any Officer and Sr. NCO qualified on M16 and M9. So this largely depends on the unit and how they train.
Recruiters may need to add M9 training to their yearly rifle qualification to support a requirement to carry. I think we should be like the Israeli Army and always carry when on duty.
Recruiters may need to add M9 training to their yearly rifle qualification to support a requirement to carry. I think we should be like the Israeli Army and always carry when on duty.
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MSG (Join to see)
Army Reserve and NG personnel could be assigned any where. The military no longer mobilizes units, they pick individuals, which is BS. For Cripes sack, you got sailors and airman running convoys. Put sailors back on the ships and airman doing what they were trained to do on aircraft. And if your in the military, a weapon is no different an accessory to the uniform then your cover or your boots.
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PVT Robert Gresham
LTC John Shaw Sir, I have to disagree with you on one point. The Israeli Army carries on duty because they are always on a real world mission. They can, and often do, function as "law officers". The Israeli mission statement says it all: "To defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel. To protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life. "
In the US we have Police, and FBI, and other specialized law officers who fulfill much of that mission for us. With that being the case, I do not see the reason for the US Army to always carry weapons on duty.
In the US we have Police, and FBI, and other specialized law officers who fulfill much of that mission for us. With that being the case, I do not see the reason for the US Army to always carry weapons on duty.
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PVT Robert Gresham
TSgt Jonathan Bowler - And a good 2 cents it is. The possibility is that in the event of another episode, such as the one at Ft. Hood, that the shooter would be instantly surrounded by 20 armed soldiers.
However, I have the fear that soldiers untrained in law-enforcement tactics may use firearms, in cases when holding fire might be the best course of action. The resulting loss of life to innocent soldiers, and family members, could very well have soldiers thrust into a situation, such as being unable to carry any type of weapon without an armed, civilian (law-enforcement) escort.
The other obvious snarl is that soldiers with money problems (please, tell me there are no more), whether they be large (solution: bank robbery, carjacking), or small (solution: pawn my weapon) would find a solution, if they have a 24 hour access to a firearm.
Civilians are always going to say : "If you have to err, is it not better to err of the side of caution? After all there's only been one Ft. Hood." That's my 2 cents. Together, we may be able to buy a piece of bubblegum to share.
However, I have the fear that soldiers untrained in law-enforcement tactics may use firearms, in cases when holding fire might be the best course of action. The resulting loss of life to innocent soldiers, and family members, could very well have soldiers thrust into a situation, such as being unable to carry any type of weapon without an armed, civilian (law-enforcement) escort.
The other obvious snarl is that soldiers with money problems (please, tell me there are no more), whether they be large (solution: bank robbery, carjacking), or small (solution: pawn my weapon) would find a solution, if they have a 24 hour access to a firearm.
Civilians are always going to say : "If you have to err, is it not better to err of the side of caution? After all there's only been one Ft. Hood." That's my 2 cents. Together, we may be able to buy a piece of bubblegum to share.
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I was highly trained on the M14. Fired expert in BCT, AIT, and Infantry OCS. Issued an M16 when I arrived in Vietnam. Received no training on it. Fortunately, no one depended on my shooting skill with it. Especially me...
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