As an infantryman what is your favorite gun position? Any advice for a saw gunner ?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:42:30 -0400

Since I arrived at Bragg I've been a sponge due to being a reclass, any advice for a new saw gunner would be appreciated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 2:49 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:49:26 -0400

DA PAM 670-1, Section 18-3. Subsection D.

Response by SFC James Cameron made Aug 18 at 2020 2:54 PM

SFC James Cameron — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:54:24 -0400

Master your weapon. You’re the most casualty producing weapon in a Squad be proud of that and rock it.
Humping a 249 sucks until you’re the guy laying down suppression fire.
When I was a TL I had the entire team carry a 200 round pork chop on their backs to keep the SAW in the fight longer; an extra 600 rounds can go a long way in a prolonged fight.

Learn your Unit TACSOP like it’s a religion.

Never be afraid to ask a question because the only stupid question is a legitimate question that goes unasked.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 2:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:58:24 -0400

Get good with that weapon. A good machine gunner is worth a ton. Become an expert on how it works, cleaning it, range cards. Be an asset

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 18 at 2020 4:00 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:00:28 -0400

This is from a tanker so you might take this with a grain of salt. I would definitely want you to cover the main avenue of approaches and be able to provide supporting fire to the engagement area. If I am wrong I expect someone to tell me. lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 4:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:31:36 -0400

Make all gun positions your favorite, you'll never know what gun position you'll be at when taking fire, only in the defensive position.
In the defensive, you'll have a assigned avenue of approach to cover, in the assault, your covering fire will keep the enemy's heads down as your team advances.
I learned from a Vietnam vet, the enemy can't shoot at you if their heads are down, and it's better to put dirt in their eyes, then shoot over their heads.
Get very proficient with your gun, for your gun fire is very valuable to your teams protection, as well as you, the gunner, you're the hammer in your team and platoon.
After the engagement, welcome the pats on your back, you deserved it, from your team, and the leadership.
When I was a gunner with a M-2 and M-60, I made my guns speak a language that everyone clearly understood, and I played it as a fine tuned instrument, playing "Rock 'n Roll".
In the 82nd, they gave me a nick name, "Guam Maniac", due to I was from Guam, and with my M-60 everything infront of me fell down as my gun chattered.
I remember the guys yelling back at me, "Don't shoot me in the back", I yelled back at them, "Get the "F" up there, I got you covered", and they all knew it.

I'm sure that my M-60 was one element that got me E-5, as well as my assistant gunner who followed, "T" in the picture, from Little Rock Arkansas.

"Write your own history, with your gun as the pen, young trooper, put your heart and soul with it!"

All this is coming from a gunner with the 2nd 505th Inf 82nd ABN. "All the Way!"

Response by SPC Bradly Martin made Aug 18 at 2020 4:33 PM

SPC Bradly Martin — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:33:36 -0400

Be able to clear and get the gun up as fast as humanly possible. That being said, CLP, CLP, and CLP. It’s our best asset, Keep it ready for the fight.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Aug 18 at 2020 4:40 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:40:17 -0400

When you get new ammo, break off the first 5 or so. Your belts will feed a lot smoother.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 4:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 16:43:37 -0400

Favorite gun position? Behind it, on higher ground, behind cover. As a SAW gunner, you're gonna be predominantly responsible for your TL/SL's hindparts. The SAW is the most casualty-producing weapon system, and therefore, if you dont do your job, the rest of the team cant do theirs. Learn everything about that weapon. Ranges, competencies, implementations, and capabilities. Learn how to break it down, clean it, make corrections, correct misfires, and re-engage as quickly as is hi umanly possible. Find a leader with an EIB and hound them (respectfully) about it, and how to constantly be better. Once you're as high-speed as can be, move on to the next weapon system and do the same with it, until you know all of your unit's implemented weapons systems inside and out, backward and forward. Then learn the technical aspects of the job to the same caliber (land nav, commo, TC3, camouflage, MMD, etc). After you've accomplished all of this (plot out 4-6 months for full redress), start competing with the others in your unit to make sure you're sharp. Earn your EIB, and then set an example for your peers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 5:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:14:45 -0400

Dont use the short barrel. I know its tempting with the weight reduction but less accurate.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2020 5:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:18:41 -0400

I was an M60 gunner as an E-2 and E-3 and an M2 gunner as a team leader. Both of those were crew served weapons. Usually, we had two assistants to carry the ammo, barrels, and tripods. I would advise you to become an expert on ALL weapons. You may need to or have to use any weapon at your disposal. When I trained my squads, every man had to know everybody's job and mine as well. When you know everybody's job, you will be able to train others. My philosophy is know the responsibilities of at least two ranks above you. As an E-5, I was ready to take over a platoon if need be. Good luck! I always enjoyed being a machine gunner!

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Aug 18 at 2020 6:15 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 18:15:31 -0400

What SGT David Reynolds said.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 18 at 2020 6:19 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 18:19:40 -0400

What do you mean by gun position?
_Firing stance (Off-hand, Kneeling, sitting, prone; supported or unsupported) Or
_Orientation to the target (Plunging or grazing, Enfilade or perpendicular)

Ideally, I'd like to in the prone position, providing grazing fires, enfilade to the target, in defidade with observed fires.

Read FM 3-22.68 Crew-Served Machine Guns 5.56-mm and 7.62-mm, until you have the pages memorized.

Response by MSG Jerry O'Rourke made Aug 18 at 2020 7:50 PM

MSG Jerry O'Rourke — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 19:50:37 -0400

SPC, study the assemble and disassemble of your weapon. Learn and be able to conduct a functions check in the daytime and at night. Practice loading and unloading, and clearing a jam. Know you sight alignment by heart. And most of all work your upper body by extra PT and hitting the weight room. Stand Tall young PFC and drive on with your mission. Your team mates are your lifeline get to know them for they are your family. God Bless

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2020 2:02 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 02:02:56 -0400

My favorite position to fire the 249 from is standing. It is inefficient in most cases, it's not the most comfortable, and it's not very practical. It is very fun though.

Response by SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee made Aug 19 at 2020 12:23 PM

SSG Watis Ekthuvapranee — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:23:32 -0400

Name your weapon (just kidding-- don't do it-- remember Pvt Pyle). Get to know your weapon. SAW can be a Big-B. Clean it regularly, especially the gas regulator. Each weapon has its quirk. Weight lift, look like you can use upper body strengthening.

My favorite gun position was a Bradley gunner, just like playing a video game. Didn't have to walk. I got to sleep right before engagement. The Major I used to gun for ask me once why I always do that. My reply was, "How do you think you get a right map with most up to date overlays and coffee for all of us (3-man-crew) every morning before marshal?" NCO, we take care of our troops, even if he/she is our boss. Telling the truth, I wasn't trying to sleep. The vibration and jerking rocked me to sleep due to lack of it. Don't ask me how I was able to be alert as soon as there was a first contact report. I had no idea.

The worst gunner is a Dragon gunner, expensive, hit the target 1 out of every five round. It's a wire-guided missile. The most memorable one was when it started to make a big circle around. Scare the poop out of us. Second was when it detonated exactly at the arming distance-- 75 meters. However, I think the gunner let go of the trigger after fire.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 19 at 2020 3:22 PM

SGT Justin Anderson — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:22:22 -0400

My advice would be to read the TM and look into the Infantry Bible FM 3-21.8, I think that's what it is. You can also go onto the army website and look up texts solely for the position and weapon. Frankly there's not a lot to being a SAW gunner. Lay accurate suppressing fire, know your types of fire (beaten some as example), etc. I would quickly figure out an ammo load plan for yourself. For moving around frequently I used 100rnd nut sacks, for more stationary positions or if I knew I was going to be in sustained combat I'd carry some extra 200rnd drums. 100rnd sacks makes it easier to carry on your person with a 200rnd drum on your left and right side, extra ammo in your pack.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 19 at 2020 3:29 PM

SGT Justin Anderson — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:29:57 -0400

Favorite positions was 240 gunner and AG equally. I also enjoyed being the rocket man lugging around Carl Gustav.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2020 5:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 17:39:35 -0400

I was never infantry - it wasn't even an option for females til 2013. However I was in a combat EN BN. I was the only enlisted in the S2 - I got the 249. I carried that for the entire first deployment and part of the second.

I got used to it. I only had it at the range and then on deployments. It was fun to shoot. Conversation starter to usually "omg you have a SAW?"

Response by SSG Mike Busovicki made Aug 21 at 2020 9:33 AM

SSG Mike Busovicki — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 09:33:16 -0400

Practice changing ammo drums and clearing jams. Practice, practice, practice.