Gun Handling Near the Front Lines

[PenHolder]

I came across this (attached) photo recently; it's out of a Time Magazine from January 2003, showing our troops training in Kuwait. Now what's wrong with this picture?

Maybe he's "hamming it up" for the cameras, or maybe it's an example that everyone could use a little safety reminder from time to time. (I certainly appreciate it when friends catch me starting to slip into bad habits.)

(Here's hoping the attachment works.)

 

[4570Rick]

Now what's wrong with this picture?

Saddam is burning oxygen.

 

[illuminatus99]

aside from the lack of a magazine in his rifle he's got his finger on the trigger

 

[Kahr carrier]

Maybe his safety is between his ears.

 

[DadOfThree]

Honestly, when I was in there were a lot remiders to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction but I don't remember anyone ever telling me to keep my finger off the trigger. Nobody ever tells you to worry about what is beyond your target either. Maybe they to in the combat arms MOSs but not to much in basic training or annual training for noncombat types. At least there wasn't 15 years ago.

 

[El Tejon]

Sadly I'm not shocked. Thank goodness they don't give them ammo if they won't train them.

 

[geekWithA.45]

I read the field firing manual for the M16....

(you can find all sortsa stuff like that at www.biggerhammer.net), and they carry on and on about engaging and disengaging the safety but I didn't see anything so elegant as the 4 rules in bold, front and center.

 

[Jeff White]

Weapons Handling Training is Woefully Lacking

Want to get your blood pressure raised...a bunch? Go to the field with almost any Army unit, active or reserve. Weapons are haphazardly pointed in all directions, people carry them with their fingers on the triggers and soldiers will point them at each other in fun.

I believe that this is fostered by the fact that live ammunition is strictly controlled so soldiers tend to view their weapons as safe all the time. This problem can be addressed by good NCOs enforcing safety rules at all times. Unfortunately the powers that be consider it more important to give our soldiers formal instruction on Prevention of Sexual Harrassment and Environmental Awareness then to train them to safely handle their weapons.

There is a move in the Army to address this issue, it remains to be seen how well it is accepted. Last winter, my son was in Infantry OSUT. He had duty in the arms room one day asisting the armoror with the issue and return of weapons. He told me that he got to do a few pushups and flutter kicks for correcting soldiers about muzzle control and fingers on triggers, but it was worth it, because the Drill Sergeants started making those corrections after he spoke up. I think it's almost the same cultural attitude that you see at gun shows and even the SHOT Show, everyone assumes that there is no ammuntion on hand, so there is no need to follow the 4 universal rules. We all know what this leads to.

Jeff

 

[blades67]

Now what's wrong with this picture?

Other than the fact that it was staged?

Only the first two men are looking starboard and the squad leader has his M16 slung on his back.

 

[Roadkill Coyote]

Staged or not, he is in violation,and the guy behind him is not,which pretty much blows all excuses about training, situation, and the phase of the moon out of contention.

 

[Arkady]

DadOfThree- that's because, as non-combat troops, if you were firing on the enemy it really didn't matter what was behind the enemy, because it was likely just more enemy

 

[45R]

Wonder if ND on the field are ever considered "Friendly Fire".
Thats pretty unacceptable.