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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It bothers me to see this crap about the Air Force. I am retired after 20 years in the Air Force. And I was forced to learn the M-16 inside and out. EVERY Year I was in the Air Force-I had to qualify on the M-16 and a 9mm hand gun and be very proficient with both. I could field strip an M-16 and put it back together.
I retired 24+ years ago.
I retired 24+ years ago.
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I was in many moons ago and my AFSC (MOS? For others) had a security clearance that did not allow me to be in a hostile area? Let me tell you I was pissed when we trained with 22’s as my dad had an ar15 back then and I was hoping to learn what it took to create a m16. So disappointing... it was not until president Regan was elected that our unit ever even saw a firearm or a real m16 except on the AP’s and SP’s. After that we actually got to go to the range (I loved it) but most hated it and almost none could handle a 1911. That was at our base and many other commands did not have the war time training skills project.
I expected that when I enlisted and even though I could not be in a forward area I would loved additional training regularly the seals and rangers we worked with were awesome, I even learned a few things and I grew up shooting NRA small bore and trap shooting
I expected that when I enlisted and even though I could not be in a forward area I would loved additional training regularly the seals and rangers we worked with were awesome, I even learned a few things and I grew up shooting NRA small bore and trap shooting
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As an ex AF medic I can assure you that weapons training would come in handy. The AF has a bad habit of putting you in situations where such training would be helpful...ie..the med 'patchup' teams ( if they even still exist) from when I was in, in the early 70's...fwiw..when in basics, our range NCO's told us that because the AF was almost out of money, our practice rounds would be our qualifying rounds...I has hunted since I was 9 or so so I had somewhat of a leg up on most of the guys, but some had only seen pictures of the M16...not a confidence builder for me if TSHTF.
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I am an OLD School SP, but my Son JUST went through BMT and the Security Forces Academy this year, and I was shocked to hear that Basic Trainees are currently issued a dummy M-4 to keep, carry and care for, throughout BMT, they also now have to certify with actual 5.56 ammo, and are required to get a passing score on their weapon before graduating from BMT, he got a lot more weapons training in the Security Forces Academy as expected, but the NEW weapons policy for regular Basic Trainees was REALLY good to hear about !!!! GO AIR FORCE !!!!!
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As a member that searved 33 years I'm a firm believer that the AF needs to adopt army bct as the model I retired in 08 and got tired of that's not my job I don't know don't want to learn ECT
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When I went to basic training at Lackland in 1960 the weapon we were expected to qualify on was the M1 carbine. Not a bad weapon but I had trouble qualifying with it. (Later I learned the problem was my dominant eye is my left eye and I am right handed.) As an officer several years later I had to qualify on the .38 revolver, which was easier because I naturally sighted with my left eye. Before going to Vietnam I qualified with the M16. While my tour did not involve combat, I prepared myself for the "what if" circumstances by becoming very familiar with both my .38 and my M16. I always traveled armed when we were going by road. I hoped I would never need that preparation, and--fortunately--I never did. Ground combat was never part of my specialty--public affairs--but I was determined I would defend myself if attacked. Thankfully I never needed that preparation.
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I believe they all should be. Even though I was POL, at one point there were FARP teams (forward arming and refueling points) it was just us and aircraft maintenance. We were responsible for our own defense. We all had to at least be qualified on use of M4/M16. The Army learned a hard lesson during the early days of Desert Storm. Some members of a transportation unit got separated from the main convoy and came under attack and some were captured, they didn’t know how to use their weapons.
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Yes, it is true that most airmen are not weapons qualified, and need not be. On the other hand, I do have some personal observations and experiences to mention. The first is that, the last I knew, as part of a special operations wing, there is a security forces group that specializes in bare bones base defense in overseas deployed locations. The second is that, in the course of my own career, I was qualified on the .38 revolver, the M16, the 9mm pistol, and the M4. I also got familiarization training with the GAU-5A, and the AK47. If course, these were all associated with either an overseas assignment, or a war zone deployment. So, whether I was any good or not, and whether most airmen get such training or not, it does sometimes happens.
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I joined the Air Force in March 1962. As part of our basic training we were required to qualify with the M-1 Garrand rifle. In second phase we had to again qualify with the M-1. That included tear it down, clean it and out it back together. I was TDY to Vietnam and had to qualify with the M-16 before I left. When PCs to Vietnam in 1966 and again had to qualify with the M-16 and because I was a Medic also had to qualify with a 38 pistol. I could shoot 98 out of a hundred with the M-16.
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