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 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 914
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You take care of your branch of service and the USAF will continue to do the outstanding job that they have been doing since 1947.
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That’s why it’s your job to train them when they need the training. It’s called as-needed for a reason. Most people don’t need it at home station or even at a large deployment base because you are the one that’s supposed to be on patrol and on the wall. USAF’s job is to be in the rear with the gear.
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The Navy isn't much better at training most sailors in this either. If you don't stand a watch requiring a weapon or are on a security alert team you may never touch a weapon. I believe a service personnel should have to qualify with the standard issue weapons.
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I think that any AF prsnl heading to an AB or FB in a hostile and risky AO should do some predeployment training to get their infantry and wpns skills on par. But for any AF prsnl that never leave the CONUS that is not necessary.
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I could be wrong, but I think it's because the function of most Air Force personnel has nothing to do with handling a firearm of any kind. The only Airmen I've ever know to be the exception on that are Security Forces and JTACs (my artillery-related brethren). And maybe, just maybe, THAT is why I would often see them in PT uniform with an improperly slung M16A2 whenever I was deployed. Still love my Air Force, though. Every single day.
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I am a believer in you either do sometime or you don’t not maybe something. As a jet engine mechanic, we were never trained in combat arms properly and we would be the last people you need to hand a weapon to.
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Having spent my Air Force years other than basic training and OTS I wasn’t given rifle training as a radar tech, civil engineering officer (5525) and a Communication Electronics Enginer (3055).. Except when I worked in a Mobil Radar outfit (729 TCS). I even remember being assigned to a radar outfit in Alaska (710 ACWS) we had a fife rack with 4 M16s, which were removed because they were needed in Vietnam. We got no replacements, except the bow and arrow I stuck in the rack as a joke.
I didn’t join the Air Force to fight I joined to learn electronics.
I didn’t join the Air Force to fight I joined to learn electronics.
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i find it funny that a recent Air Force recruitment commercial showed Air force "infantry" out doing some patrol or raid. yet according to you and a few others moct airmen are clueless with basic marksmenship.
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Why don't all ground forces know how to fly airplanes and launch missiles and man ships? We all specialize and get along doing it. And yes..... we all got firearms training, but not to be sharpshooters.
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Cpl Andrew Kotcher
but basic marksmenship should be included, according to the original poster most airmen are clueless which end is up on a m4...
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1st Lt Royal Barnard
I had marksmanship training. The weapon was a handgun not a rifle. I also learned the procedure and participated in the successful launch of a MMII ICBM from Vandenberg AFB to the the South Pacific. In the military and in life we all have specialties, and we must do them properly. That implies the we have to work together as a team to protect each other.
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It was my understanding that you received weapons training in basic training now it seems that the air force is different that they receive NO TRAING in basic weapons use don't they have to qualify with any weapons or do they rely on the army/marines to bail them out?
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