Posted on May 28, 2015
Why don't all members of the Air Force have to be fully qualified to be a rifleman in case of hostile events?
369K
4.45K
1.94K
565
565
0
I have noticed through the years of being in the Air Force (Security Forces member here) that most people in the Air Force are clueless when it comes to M-4/M-16/M-9. This is outrageous! What are they supposed to do if the enemy comes knocking on our door step and everyone needs to fight. I have taught classes on the M-4 with communication airmen and have seen them completely mess up clearing out the weapon, loading it (magazine upside down or rounds the wrong way), and just completely incapable of achieving a zero on target after four rounds of firing. I am a big fan of how the Army and Marines teach that your are always a rifleman first. It almost seems like some of the Airmen don't expect to carry a weapon (ummmm why did you join the military in the first place)? I wish the Air Force would pick up on this to make us a more combat ready force. But, enough of me what are your thoughts?
Rifleman
3P: Security Forces
Air Force
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 914
0
0
0
0
0
0
As a retired ANG I can say that most of my COMM unit were fairly proficient with the M-16 but not so much for any other weapons. The Air Force has had more hands-on with the M-16 than they did back in the 80's when the only time they saw it was during basic training. I've had 10 times more hands-on with the guard units I've been in than I ever did during my 80's active duty stent.
(0)
(0)
Sgt Joe Butler
In 1966, I believe we had one day of familiarizing ourselves with the M-16 in a classroom and in the field and then qualification the next day. I did manage to get the Expert Marksman Ribbon, but would have been hard pressed to use the weapon in a real life or death situation. Since I was in basic during Vietnam, I was surprised that we only got minimum training in weapons. A lot of Airman went to 'Nam too. I feel that all military personnel should be proficient in weapons and kept that way. In my civilian life, I spent quite a few years as a Probation and Parole carrying a concealed pistol. We had to qualify annually. We carried for self-defense and not for arrests but they still kept us proficient.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Security forces determines the requirements and conducts the training.
I served in maintenance, operations, and support and never felt qualified on the long gun. I took a few pistol classes since I retired and they were phenomenal. I would've taken commercial classes while I was on active duty had I known how good they were.
I served in maintenance, operations, and support and never felt qualified on the long gun. I took a few pistol classes since I retired and they were phenomenal. I would've taken commercial classes while I was on active duty had I known how good they were.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The impression that I had when I was in (ok, so it was the Brown Shoe days) was that all airmen DID have to at least qualify --- at least on the S&W .38 Special Service Revolver and the Colt M-16 ---- and most of us had to also include the Remington 410, the Colt M1911, and the Saco M-60.
Now, they don't??
Now, they don't??
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I was a medic and qualified expert on the M-16 and the M9. I can also tell you what the difference is between an M-16 and an M-4. I don't knowcwhere you got your theory about us not being qualified rifleman but your ignorance looks poorly upon you.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The military has become much more complex than primitive kinetic combat. I would say that there are a lot of members of the Air Force whose more intellectual skills correlate with an aversion to aggression, and since the likelihood of them needing to operate a weapon is incredibly low, more priority is given to enabling the skills that provide the most value to the service. Keep in mind that more people died on D-Day than have died over 15 years in Afghanistan. War has changed dramatically, and we have adapted to it.
(0)
(0)
CPT Bruce Beattie
USAF.....The Combat Arm of Dead Geniuses....... because we are too smart to defend ourselves? If your base is infiltrated, you may not be able to perform your more cerebral pursuits unless you are capable of finishing successfully a much more primitive activity! When seconds count, Security Forces may be just minutes away!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Because most of the Air Force doesn't carry a weapon day-to-day? We fight in the air, not on the ground. Even if something were to happen, we aren't carrying those weapons around all day...we would end up clustered at the armory, all trying to check them out in a hurry.
If you're that excited about carrying an M-16, maybe join the Army?
If you're that excited about carrying an M-16, maybe join the Army?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
MSgt (Join to see)
If you call one-half day at the range with maybe 40 rounds training, then yes, they do.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Every service member should go through the basics of handling, cleaning and doing a familarization with small arms. perhaps a week in recruit training at least.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You and me both, means I'd get to shoot more. I know the m-4/m-16/m-9 bc I own similar weapons, but yea some security forces are completely clueless.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google