The Military and range time

[bdickens]

treo: You must have been in the Army a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time ago! Things have changed quite a bit.

 

[Treo]

20 years ago
That said , as evidenced by this thread, it appears that in terms of being a nanny state organization the army hasn't changed all that much. I'm not saying that the army's a bad choice, but I'm not sure it would be a good fit for an almost middle aged man who's used to being responible for himself. I base this on the fact that I had been on my own for 4 years before joining & it took some getting used to

 

[Good Shot Group]

Think twice brother. Iraq is an extremely crappy place to be. If I had it to do all over again, I would of joined the Coast Guard instead of the Army. They have an extremely high speed counter drug mission. Their CQB schools are top notch.

 

[John828]

Army or Navy was my only option and I would not join the Navy (no offense to the sailors out there.) I've thought twice and more. The adjustment will be severe but not impossible. I can handle a guy almost half my age treating me like trash--mentally it will be alright.

I still have not signed the dotted line because I am waiting on one more waiver. I cannot believe how hard it is to join.

Anyway, all of that is OT.

 

[catfish101]

The Army isn't what it used to be as far as being rough during basic or AIT. I went through basic over 20 years ago and a good friend of mine is still in. He is a 1SGT. over a basic company and he will tell you how easy it is today. He also said that he is seeing allot of middle aged recruits coming through. He has had a few father/son combos come through.

 

[spaceCADETzoom]

... I've thought twice and more. The adjustment will be severe but not impossible. I can handle a guy almost half my age treating me like trash--mentally it will be alright.

DOn't worry, you won't be treated like trash. It's not like the movies, it's not basic training your entire time in the Army. If you have good NCOs, without inferiority complexes, you won't be abused. If you're on the ball, the last time you're treated "like trash" is when you leave OSUT and Ft KNox behind. But...here's a big but...it IS a severe nanny-state for the junior enlisted. Expected to bear the burden of other knuckleheads. Keep your nose clean, you'll be okay. But as everyone has chimed in, there's a tendency for "privileges" to be taken away when your buddy abuses it (even if that buddy is in another squadron/battalion). Room inspections, drug tests, motorcycle safety, safety lectures, etc. As someone has said, you'll be treated like a 15 year old...all because your buddy acts like one. And truthfully, it IS B-S. But the Army likes to "protect" its soldiers. They'll be upgrading our IBAs to full Bear-Fighting Bomb Suits someday...and give us laser ray guns that have to be keyed by commanders...and have automatic butt wiping mechanisms...and hand cleaning dysentery sanitizers...and UV eye protectors...and blister preventers...

Oh, and expect a lot of old jokes. It means they like you! YOu'd be in trouble if you didn't get them.

Regarding on-the-job range time, In case i wasn't clear, or if other posts have diluted the message... As a gun enthusiast you won't get enough. And the Army has a tendency to take all of the fun out of it. If you're not firing machine guns or 120, I can guarantee it's maddeningly lame to shoot in the Army, at pink circles, yellow triagles, dummies, etc. Again, I'm in a line combined arms battalion in a cavalry regiment. I could very well be your Platoon Leader when you're a qualified Scout. I have a crystal ball to your future I'm not speaking as a Army fuel specialist, Air Force security guy, or Marine retiree...I'm speaking from the Cav.

Off duty free time is what you make of it. YOu won't feel you have enough...but really, as a jr enlisted you won't have the same responsibilities as your NCOs. Provided you're a good soldier, you'll only be pulled in when the rest of the Troop/company is. As I said, it's a 9-to-5 with caveats. Like 15 month ones in Southwest Asia...

Lastly, it takes a special kind of masochist to seek to be scout (or tanker or infantryman). You'll feel the "pogues" got it better. And they honestly do. While the constant cool, jaded, tough routine will be all over the place, deep down, the solidarity and pride is unlike in any other job in the military. In a line platoon in a CAB, you're the tip of the spear...don't let the constant BS remarks we all say get into your soul...griping, bitching and complaining is job #1 as a soldier.

 

[John828]

roger

 

[Nate C.]

Firearms are sold in the Exchange at Marine Corps Base Quantico.


At least at some facilities, MWR (Morale Welfare Recreation) maintains recreational equipment for use by the personnel. This ranges from volleyball nets to canoes to small arms to camping gear. At one Coast Guard unit with which I am familiar, MWR obtained Garands, 1911s, shotguns, and several .22 pistols and rifles. A person needed only to contact the Armory personnel and then check out the firearm he wants to go shooting with. Ammo was not supplied.

The unit's MWR also establised liaision with a local private range who made a group membership available for all of the service members to go to shoot anytime on their own, at no personal expense.

Summary:

1. Go Coast Guard.
2. God and Texas.

 

[doc2rn]

"It's late afternoon...I got a couple of hours...I think I will go shoot."

Is this not accurate?
Nope not until you put on some rank. Making rank in grade will give you these opportunities you desire, but MOS will want your job to fill your day. Upon release from said duties you are free to go to the range. That usually happens at 1530-1600. Forget about it on Thurs. though as Fri. A.M. is usually Co. P.T. followed by B.E.Q. inspection.

 

[RustyShackelford]

FT Lee VA; private weapons range/SGT Major, E-9

While I was at FT Lee VA, the post's command SGT Major(a former NCOIC of the FT Lee PMO/MP station) got a large tract of property on FT Lee and set up a range for soldiers/retired service members/family/etc to shoot handguns, rifles, skeet, etc.

That was a great idea that I doubt was put in place in other CONUS army posts. This E-9 also like to wear his M-9 and MP badge while in uniform too, .

This was back in the early 1990s so it may have changed...

Rusty S

 

[Kitchen_Duty]

Thought I would chime in. I am an E-5 and in the Navy. Stationed on board a submarine out here in Washington state. As far as guns go: i know more about guns than the navy has ever taught me. My range instructors are all volunteers from the command- they are not trained by the Navy to do the job, they just volunteer. Our goal for gun shoots (annually) is to get a passing score with a the beretta 92, mossberg 500, and M-16, and the very few: mrk 243. Some know their stuff, most don't. I shoot about 45 rounds of 9mm and 12 shotgun shells annually for quals.

I don't regret joining. But I am only staying for 6 years. The politics and BS is way to much to bear. And for those interested: 80 asvab score, 41 on nuke test, became a machinist mate sub volunteer, got an average of 3.6/4 in powerschool, stationed on the USS Nevada SSBN-733.

Trust me: navy submarines is not the way to go unless you are a radiomen or Fire control technician. THose guys make rank fast and don't do nearly as much as us "nukes" do.

-Kitchen

 

[Sniper X]

I was an 18B in the Army for 10 years and got a lot of range time because I could go anytime I wanted, which was A LOT! After getting re-assigned to Ft. Ord from Bad Tolz Germany, (to fulfill my last year of enlistment) and being stuck in an Admin Company, the range time would have stopped all together unless I got the gig at the Arms room for the 7th Infantry Div. Finance Company. That made me resident Arms Room Sergeant, and in charge of one of the small arms ranges. So I went out more than the whole company did. They went out twice a year, I went out every month under the guise of cycling and cleaning weapons. So M60s M16's and 1911's were all there at least once a week, and almost unlimited ammo! It was fun.....

 

[NavyLCDR]

I hear you, Kitchen. I was an E-6 nuke MM on the USS Rhode Island. To make it even worse, I was an ELT. Anyway, got my degree, paid for almost exclusively by the Navy there CN, became an aviation maint officer. I gave up about half of two SRB's totaling $100,000 because being a Nuke just wasn't worth it. My wife met the boat once, she said all the officer's got off, then about 15 minutes later all the "coners" got off, then about two hours later the nukes finally got off. Other than being a nuke, I loved the sub life, though.

 

[Griff]

One of my buddies is a 19D. He's been a door kicker, so gets range time while on the clock, but also tells me that they're used to thinking outside the box as a job requirement. If you don't get what you want or need from official channels, improvise. Of course, that works better downrange than in garrison, but there are usually Morale, Welfare, and Recreation ranges available there, too. Good luck getting your issue weapon out of the arms room after duty hours, though.