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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I believe EVERYONE should have at least a basic gun knowledge. Who knows when he/she may need to defend ones self? Or family?
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In August of '65 I had to qualify on the M-16 before going to Vietnam. Only other weapon I used in the AF before that was a S&W .38 revolver in OTS.
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I don't know if things have changed, when I went through basic in 68, we had to qualify with the m16. When I went to Nam, we were given augmentee training on other weapons, 50 cal, 60 cal, grenade launchers, grenades, and 38s. If the base was attacked we were a back up to the Army and Marines.
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Oh, but they can direct a A-10 Warthog on your @$$ better than you can shoot!
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My two cents. I was stationed in two different units that deployed me to Vietnam. In both cases we were required to qualify on the M-16 and actually deployed with them. But upon arrival, the weapons and ammo were taken away and locked up.
And during one attack on the base we were instructed to get out of our vans and hunker down behind the sandbag walls. Then the whatever force searching for the sappers damn near shit at us. Only thing that saved our asses was our vehement cursing at the idiots who were going to shoot at us.
After that I and my crew NEVER trusted ANY security force that was supposed to protect us.
And during one attack on the base we were instructed to get out of our vans and hunker down behind the sandbag walls. Then the whatever force searching for the sappers damn near shit at us. Only thing that saved our asses was our vehement cursing at the idiots who were going to shoot at us.
After that I and my crew NEVER trusted ANY security force that was supposed to protect us.
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SP's are qualified in small arms. They were deployed with us (army MP's) to central America. But like you said they were very under trained and looked like scared deer in headlights. Some missions required us to substitute MPs in for them. I guess it is what it is.
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Don't know if your still interested but I was at Plleiku RVN 67-68. At the time I was an E-4 57150.
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