Posted on May 28, 2015
SSgt Security Forces
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Carbine backwards mag
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?
Edited 10 y ago
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MSgt Richard Randall
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Edited >1 y ago
I noticed through the years how incompetent AF security forces were in programming a missile guidance set on a Minuteman ICBM. They were also pretty useless in troubleshooting a Launch Enable Control Group or AFSATCOM fault indication. Those ignorant SOBs were also with clueless with performing a Launch Control Test, reading MGS SAE control words, calibrating the guidance chiller, changing launch facility batteries and motor generators. Loading Command Data Buffer target sets were WAY out of their league as was changing DSAP solid core memory or “odd squad” SFT components.

Worthless, I tell ya, totally worthless! I find this totally outrageous! What are we paying those guys for?

One other thing, Sparky. I did qualify on the M16/A2, the S&W 38 Model 15, the Beretta M9, SA 1911 45 and the Winchester 12 gauge shotgun… and I was just a bit twiddlin’, spark chasin’, low life maintenance troop.
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SSgt Lonnie Purvis
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Why aren't Airmen required to learn to use a rifle? Let me ask a few questions. Which branch of the military sends officers into the battle area while leaving the enlisted behind enemy lines? What is the most important non-human asset in the Air Force? Why aren't Army soldiers required to learn to repair fixed wing aircraft?
Each branch has a specific function. Taking the time to train Air Force personnel how to shoot and maneuver would be an incredible waste of resources.
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SFC Infantryman
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Just tell the bad guy's that their quarters is substandard and so the air force can compensate them, cause they too relax . 11BP....
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MSgt Mike Rockwell
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Ok, here is my story. After entering Active Duty in '82 I was always on deployment with the exception of being an instructor at CAFB, SC (now Joint base Charleston). I started with the RDF (Rapid Deployment Force) and had to qualify annually, those non-deployment years were bi-annually. As an Avionics Specialist / Wrench turner we always told that we were the last line of defense of the Aircraft. We knew we were screwed if anyone got past the Army/Marines, SFS then to us....but we would and did deploy to places where there were no Army or marines, and sometimes no AF SFS people either. We would go in set up bases, then the others would show up later ...

My last deployment was right after 9/11/2001. I was handed an M-16, yes a 5 digit serial number slick side M-16. Complete with a bent and completely worthless gas tube, a split gas key, the butt pad falling off, and a 1:12 twist barrel. And guess what ammo we were issues, M855 green tip. The 1:12 twist was designed for the 55 gr M193... Luckily we never had to use them .... because those 62 gr bullets would start tumbling soon after leaving the barrel at that twist rate... but our SF people said it was completely Ok, what are you complaining about ....

I do think that ALL military, no matter who or what position should at least have a some basic knowledge of what end the bullet comes out of and at least be able to put lead down range.
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Capt Scott Stone
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I was MC in the AF. We had to qualify with handguns in case we had to defend overrun medical facilities. Never touched an M16 until I separated. Now I have an AR10. Guarantee you this Texas boy NEVER mid loaded a rifle in him s LIFE. Daddy wouldn't stand for it.
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TSgt David Johnson
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In the first 1/3 of my career I was a law enforcement specialist in Security Police before cross training. In Basic we all had m16 familiarization. For most people that was it. I was given training more extensively with the m16, ar 15, M60, .38 S&W Combat Masterpiece etc. but that was only for inside the wire. The Army worked the outside wire areas. Not to cast dispersion on any one, but if given the choice of only the experienced trained brothers in Security Police or people with only familiarization of weapons to support my 6. I'd have to stick with my brothers.
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SSgt Benjamin Rice
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I myself was in a Combat Comm unit. I think that the only reason that many of us didn't have problems was that we were into firearms outside of the AF and most of us had our own AR's. I have seen what you are talking about with many of the younger airmen coming in and it's really disturbing for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Other than the biennial requal on the M16, most (younger airmen) didn't touch any firearms outside of the unit.
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A1C Jimmy Watsonj
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While in Air Force I was classified as Expert on Carbine would that be same as in Army and Marines?
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MSgt Robert Wiebel
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All the civil engineering prime beef airmen are M-16 qualified. Officers also qualify using a handgun. I qualified expert each time I went to he range between 1971- 1980.
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SSgt Boyd Welch
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Two dynamics at play here. When I grew up, dads and granddads taught weapons safety to boys and sometimes girls. We learned the proper way to handle a weapon, the safety rules, different types of ammunition, how to safely clean a weapon and reassemble. The only pressure was "What you gonna do if a big old buck comes into view and you have a misfire or a jam of the bolt?". One dynamic is that fewer families actually have weapons in the home so younger service members do not get the foundation prior to military service. The second is that USAF has traditionally not been a combat arms specialty requiring the stunning reality of what can happen to the ill-prepared or poorly trained. I say everyone should be required to demonstrate marksman level proficiency with both the M4 (in my day it was M-16) and the handgun of choice. Weapons drills would help overcome the reticence to learn the weapon once you've drilled so long that muscle memory takes over.
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TSgt James Carson
TSgt James Carson
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Politicians decided they know what's best for us, so learning weapon's safety is not the norm anymore. Basic training in the military has greatly changed to where it's like church camp without latreen duty.
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