JaegerMann
JaegerMann
I know many a soldier who trained on M-14 in basic and deployed with M-16 and a comic book in Vietnam back in the 1960s, Back in the 1980s I know I qualified with a 45, but had to go with an 9mm in the field which one varied from time to time being pre M-92 standardization and various pistols were undergoing field trials. In the 1990s Many soldiers fired their first live rounds from their weapons (crew served tow etc) in combat during desert storm, only having fired simulators before. Even under modern combat tempo it is rare for most soldiers to get to fire more than 100 rounds a year if they are in a branch that re-qualifies for shooting annually (Army, Marines) branches that issue a ribbon (Air Force) once I know career folks who haven't touched a military personal weapon since qualification in basic/initial training, let alone fired one. (Not snubbing the other branches I simply don't know their standards off the top of my head) Congressional budgets and "green initiatives" make some VERY bizarre restrictions on our troops.
Retired US Army, former Cop, arms historian, basic old fart.
Retired US Army, former Cop, arms historian, basic old fart.