If you sling a rifle behind your back, with muzzle up, should it ever point over your left shoulder?

MSgt Matthew Cates — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:21:17 -0400

My customer is buying an illustration of a modern-day US military troop facing the viewer, and saluting.

ACROSS the troop's back, there is a slung M4. It's not just hanging by a strap off the shoulder; it is diagonal.

My customer wants the muzzle to point up and to the left, because if it points to the right, the salute covers the muzzle. I suggested that this is incorrect.

Technically, this illustration will likely be used for branding purposes for my client's startup company, and thus it may be seen by consumers in the military. So I feel it should be accurate.

What do you say?

Response by SSG William Jones made Jul 19 at 2021 7:35 PM

SSG William Jones — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 19:35:02 -0400

Not enough information. Is this trooper a courier carrying a Springfield during the Civil War? Is he guarding an ammo dump with a M-1 Garand? Does he have an M-16 slung on his person at a Firebase in Vietnam? Is he carrying an M-4 in Kandahar at TOC?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jul 20 at 2021 12:40 AM

SFC Marc W. — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 00:40:42 -0400

I think it is irrelevant unless this is part of an instruction for new troops. It's just an illustration someone wants and they want to see the rifle muzzle in addition to the salute.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 20 at 2021 9:37 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 09:37:35 -0400

Cross body sling arms is and has been taught and the orientation of the barrel can vary depending on the situation. I have attached formal training guidance from the Marine Corps training Command. There is no reason to overthink this. https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/wtbn/MPMS/0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf?ver=2015-06-15-115140-450

0300-M16-1004_Demonstrate_Weapons_Carries_LP.pdf

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 10:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:25:52 -0400

Personally, I'm not a fan of the muzzle pointing up when slung diagonally over the shoulder. But, if the customer is wanting it that way as an image for their company, then it is what it is. If we are wanting to discuss accuracy and how it will potentially seen by current/past SMs, lets look at movies and television shows where they show military folk in garb that is all chewed up. That still doesn't stop us from watching them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2021 1:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:10:52 -0400

Right shoulder, muzzle up, not cross the back. Left hand across chest, holding sling to salute.
Present arms . In formation, or parade.
Never saluted with m4 always carried it low ready. And don't salute in combat areas.
That was circa 1983. Except m4. That was 2013

Response by SSG Dale London made Jul 20 at 2021 3:30 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:30:08 -0400

The only time you should sling the rifle this way is in a tactical environment where saluting us a no-no. Thus, this situation should not arise IRL. That is to say, if you are where you may need to salute, it should be slung directly from the right shoulder, or held at port arms and you should either render the salute or present arms as you were taught in basic training.