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?
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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 >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 907
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The Air Force is swamping its troops with soul sucking, pointless CBTs. Get rid of these and now you have the time to train. Next go through and get rid of the tons of waste programs/funding (the Air Force takes the cake here) and now you have the funding. Problem solved.
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I had the same question 40+ years ago as a Security Policeman in Thailand, up along the Laotian border on the Mekong. The only personnel that carried and knew how to use weapons were Security Police. I don't think anyone else fired a weapon after Basic. Pilots and Aircrew members were proficient. Sorry to see nothing has changed. And back then the possibility of Action on an Air Base was more likely.
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I agree in a large part . AF in my day had even a more dismal record of teaching marksmanship. Fortunately I had been firing rifles and assorted other weapons since I was six years old and could tear down an M-1 rifle or Carbine down blindfolded. More than half my training squadron could not even load a weapon or zero one. Some had never even held a weapon and were scared to death of one... perhaps a good thing since it kept them from shooting someone on the range. All AF personnel should have training in the main issue weapon of the day and know how to at least field strip the weapon blindfolded, fire it with confidence in order to protect themselves in case the time comes that they will actually have to use a weapon for self defense. If the day doesn't come, all well and good but should it come, it is better to be well prepared and alive than to be unprepared and dead.
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MY grandsons last week of BMT was this type of training. Not a "Hell Week" but close. Don't know if there is an annual training though. He did get additional training before going to Bagram!
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I would say... SSgt (Join to see), because it is the Air Force, and probably not necessary. Should they be? Yes. But, ammunition and qualifications are fiscal constraints at the end of the day, and the jobs and units that need them most shoot the most.
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I guess times have changed. I retired in 96 but did qualify with the M-16, shot expert the last time I qualified, even though I was aircraft maintenance then when I cross trained to operational intelligence I qualified with the 9mm
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I guess that's natural thinking for the Security Forces, since that's your job, but that's not the job of the people that work in the communications center. They have their assigned duties no matter if the enemy is at the door. Usually the Communications Center is the most secure place on the base thanks to Security. Back in the old days, though, when I worked in the Crypto Center in Germany we had M1 carbines and 45's hanging on the walls, and we knew how to use them, but not to go out and fight the enemy. They were to keep people from trying to come in who didn't have a crypto clearance.
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Yeah....I will tell you, it'd be an overall good thing if all AF had a working knowledge of firearms.
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I was taught even the AF had an always a rifleman first policy in place it just wasn't enforced!
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Mishandling your weapon doesn't mean that you are not combat ready. It has to do with Leadership, again not with the training. More airmen need to speak up and stop being so invisible when observing these so called infractions. If an airman is not battle ready rather than blame those in the AFSC/MOS, get the NCO's back in the business of leading and not lagging. Perhaps the problem that you identify with much vigor is not real that wide-spread a problem. Set the example and let your concerns be made know to your 1st line supervisor. That's where it belongs, NOT in social media. MSGT Air Police/Security Police and Aircrew Survival Instructor - AD 25 years most with SAC. 25 more with DoD.
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