What will my granddaughter shoot in Navy boot camp?

[armoredman]

We fired 1, 5 round magazine through a Colt ACE .22lr in Boot at Great Mistakes in 1986. That was it. Not allowed to look at the target, either.
I didn't fire for qualification until I was on board ship, M-14, (M16 lacks the oomph to throw a line), 1911A1 and both Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 shotguns. We also had 4 Ruger Service Six .38 Specials that nobody could explain...
Thank you to her for joining, but she's learn far more about how to fight the ship than how to shoot small arms. Take it from an old Gunner's Mate. Watched an RM3 panic and dump a full mag of 45ACp into the flight deck once...and watched him out there repairing the non skid, too...

 

[X-Rap]

Yoda, I never meant to imply that you should at this late time attemt to give her a crash course in all things relating to weapons. If she is a novice then that ship has already sailed. (pun intended)
My kids were raised shooting and handling enough firearms in non NFA configurations that they understood the function of most of the worlds basic designs and I believe they can clear load and fire most that they could encounter. Our kids are exposed to a wide array of weapons and I doubt that their basic training nor advanced training teaches them enough to even make a found weapon safe let alone put it to effective use.
Neither of my two sons were impressed with the amount of live fire training they got and one was in combat arms. He said overseas was good but state side was horrible. My youngest says the paperwork for live fire is prohibitive but they at least have a simulator at the academy.
If your grand daughter has an interest then she should already be on her way to learning but I doubt she will get what either you expect if that is the case.

 

[788Ham]

I went through basic at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, June of '67. We shot several clips in the old Garand at the range. The Marine Sgt. in charge, had me come back and shoot again, "Looks like you've had some experience maggot, lets see you put some more down range" , handed me another clip, shot those and he handed me another clip, "Hmm, impressive maggot, go sit down." That was the last time I handled a weapon while in the Navy.

 

[RUT]

>>That was the last time I handled a weapon while in the Navy.<<

But not a swab, I'm sure!

 

[Rustinthewheel]

Five years ago the course involved a Kimar made Beretta copy for familiarizing people with the controls and handling.

The training on the range was accomplished first with weapons modified to "cycle" with air pressure and a laser to identify hits, followed by live fire of the M9,M500, and M4.

The training was well tailored to people with no experience, and was taught in groups of 18 or so, with about 5 or 6 instructors.

 

[navystang]

i went through navy boot camp in 04 the only thing we we actually fired where worn out m-9's, at that time the navy was starting to transition to simulated firing of weapons. the shotgun they showed us was a modified pump that was converted to pneumatic recoil no shells just simulated recoil, i dont know if they still continued down this path or not after i left. the only real instruction we got was this end to target and pull trigger no interest in scoring the targets. while deployed i watched some of the ships personnel qualify on small arms and wow.... at least they could hit the broad side of the ocean!!!

 

[Jcinnb]

My only experience with enlisted guys and weapons was once, I had just been relieved of the watch, and as the petty officers of the watch was relieving one of those idiots fired off a round. Damn I am glad I was relieved!

My first frigate, with a real wartime CO, we fired all kinds of weapons just for fun.

Oh, yeah, another round was fired off from a ship beside us during import watch turnover, too, now that I think about.

One more sea story. A good buddy of mine, different ship, had a roving patrol or security guy trip on a knee knocker, fall, lose his gun and have it discharge, at a shallow angle and ricochet down the passageway. Whiz zing by folks heads, thank God, no one got shot, but it ended some careers.

 

[artpotts]

1975 Navy Nuc

I never fired a shot in boot camp. 5 shots at the ocean while under way to "qualify" on the 45.

 

[Yoda]

Thanks to all

For those who suggested she be sure to get in shape, she's on it. The advice to do some advance study also makes sense.

She is one very level-headed and mature young lady. The Navy is getting a real asset.

Thanks to all for taking the time and sharing your thoughts.

- - -Yoda

 

[armoredman]

JcinnB, we had a guy shoot down a flying fish once. I kid not. We were doing "familiarization" with the shotguns,( i.e., fire 5 rounds into the ocean, just stay used to weapon recoil), when Cip, (GMG2), was pumping his third into the chamber and a flying fish jumped out of the water. Cip nailed it. Weirdest thing I ever saw in the Navy while sober.
I did see a sailor qualify with the M-14 with a perfect score, and complain he would have done better if he'd brought his glasses. He was serious. Alabama farm boy, IIRC.
I got to shoot a lot more than others while in the Navy - advantage of being a Gunners Mate, Guns.

 

[okiewita40]

When I went to boot camp in 1985 the only thing we shot were 1911's with .22lr conversions.

 

[armoredman]

Ours were actual Colt "ACE" pistols, worth a fortune nowadays, probably scrapped into Captain Crunch years ago.

 

[herkyguy]

Don't "teach" her anything. Familiarity is not bad, but she puts a big bullseye on her head if she ever says "well, my Granpa taught me......"

I've been through my fair share of Naval training. The Navy has a certain way of doing things and whether you agree with it or not, chances are they don't do it the same way you do.

all that aside, congratulations on keeping the tradition going.

hopefully they'll be doing away with their blueberry aquaflage by the time she checks in.

 

[GoWolfpack]

Could try this instead :

 

[deepskyridge]

Boot Camp Shooting

My son enlisted in the mid 90's, I taught him how to shoot may years before that. He won some award or something shooting the M14. Try not to get sick at Great Lakes.

Gary

 

[armoredman]

Do the manholes still steam in Great Mistakes? Steam pouring out of them when it was hot outside, lots of steam during the winter - figured it was there to deter Rick's from trying to escape out the sewers. On the other hand, Mainside was the only place I ever felt en earthquake, while on the second deck of the GM building.