Gents,
It appears that some I may have offended the senstitivities of some of youof you regarding this issue. If I have offended anyone, I apologize. It also appears that some of you are taking my comments on this thread personally. I have not once questioned anyones credentials, although some of you seem to be questioning mine.
I don't have as long in the military as long as some of you, but I do have 8 years in the USMC, and 6 years in Naval intelligence, both as enlisted and officer, supporting the warfighter and the SOF community, such as NSWG.
I am unsure why this is such as an emotional issue. Its not like I'm asking you to betray your country. I'm attempting to get feedback on what the status is of a the next step in procuring a SUPERIOR replacement rifle and cartridge. I am not saying that the current combination of M4/5.56 (whatever the grain 55, 62 green tip, 77) doesn't work. The M855 62 grain 5.56 does kill people. I'm not disputing that. The M-16 family of weapons has become, through lots of hard work, a great rifle platform. But it does have challenges. I have used the M-16A2, and M4, and it is a great light weight and handy weapon. But it is prone to malfunctioning when it gets dirty, and needs an inordinate amount of maintenance to keep it running properly due to the direct impingement gas system which spews carbon back into the upper receiver.
And whether you believe it or not, the SOF community call themselves operators, whether they are in the white or black commnity.
Regarding the Afghani claim that they are the size of Civil War vets; that may be true as an average. But there are many ethnic groups that make up Afghanistan, and the Pashtuns are a big people. Don't believe me, go there and see for yourself. I have.
Overall, I appreciate all of your feedback and I hope it continues to come in. All has been very enlightening and educational.
Very respectfully
It appears that some I may have offended the senstitivities of some of youof you regarding this issue. If I have offended anyone, I apologize. It also appears that some of you are taking my comments on this thread personally. I have not once questioned anyones credentials, although some of you seem to be questioning mine.
I don't have as long in the military as long as some of you, but I do have 8 years in the USMC, and 6 years in Naval intelligence, both as enlisted and officer, supporting the warfighter and the SOF community, such as NSWG.
I am unsure why this is such as an emotional issue. Its not like I'm asking you to betray your country. I'm attempting to get feedback on what the status is of a the next step in procuring a SUPERIOR replacement rifle and cartridge. I am not saying that the current combination of M4/5.56 (whatever the grain 55, 62 green tip, 77) doesn't work. The M855 62 grain 5.56 does kill people. I'm not disputing that. The M-16 family of weapons has become, through lots of hard work, a great rifle platform. But it does have challenges. I have used the M-16A2, and M4, and it is a great light weight and handy weapon. But it is prone to malfunctioning when it gets dirty, and needs an inordinate amount of maintenance to keep it running properly due to the direct impingement gas system which spews carbon back into the upper receiver.
And whether you believe it or not, the SOF community call themselves operators, whether they are in the white or black commnity.
Regarding the Afghani claim that they are the size of Civil War vets; that may be true as an average. But there are many ethnic groups that make up Afghanistan, and the Pashtuns are a big people. Don't believe me, go there and see for yourself. I have.
Overall, I appreciate all of your feedback and I hope it continues to come in. All has been very enlightening and educational.
Very respectfully