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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The first I was aware of this was in training to be a Combat Adviser. We had a mixed bag of Navy, AF and Army. The AF and Navy couldn't shoot for jack. I agree with you whole heartedly. As huge as AF bases are, you SF guys will not be able to cover it all with enough firepower. It's a failure in Leadership.
After coming back from Afghanistan, I was back at the school house training more advisers. They still couldn't shoot for shit but they followed instructions way better then the Army National Guard and active duty Army.
After coming back from Afghanistan, I was back at the school house training more advisers. They still couldn't shoot for shit but they followed instructions way better then the Army National Guard and active duty Army.
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Other branches of the military are infantry first and comprise much of the fighting force. This is not the case with the Air Force. Air Power comes in, kicks ass, and gets out. The Air Frames are not required to to be maintained in the AOR thus the majority of the Air Force is not required in the AOR but safer areas out-of-country. I spent many years as NCOIC of deployments and any AF personnel deploying required to be M-16 proficient at a minimum and were issued weapon upon deployment. Our officers do the fighting, our enlisted maintain the weapon, the majority of AF personnel are down range with the Air Frames. AF personnel are usually not in a position to have to protect a location or assets but if it comes to that, they will be upto the task.
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When I was in the USAF, we had to qualify in basic. A couple years later that stopped. Then it was .22 conversation M16s. I was lucky, for several years I was an armed escort so I qualified on several weapons each year
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As a now retired member of the Army Nurse Corps, I can honestly say that in our AMEDD basic training in 1971 @ Camp Bullis, the only people more terrified than we were, were the range monitors assigned to stand both behind us & next to us. Their exemplary jobs, were to keep us from killing anything down range except the target w/a 9 mm weapon…or maybe it was a .45. In today’s Army, it is foolish beyond belief to not have AMEDD personnel successfully trained in both side arm & long gun proficiency. To not do so = personnel unable to defend themselves &/or their patients.
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Yep, doesn't make since, everyone should qualify with at least a Rifle annually
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The USAF’s job is to operate aircraft. The Army and Marines are the primary ground combat personnel. We receive training if our deployment or duty requires it. “Skilled Technicians”.
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Everyone in the US military---regardless of their branch--should be familiar with the weapons available, and qualify with them at least once a year.
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When I was in the AirForce (1971 - 1976) I had to qualify with an M-16 twice. I don't know if that changed, but being in the Air Force Communications Service we were never in any combat situations. However, we did have a night where we were ordered to arm ourselves and authorized to use deadly force due to a terrorist group's threat to attack our site in Spain.
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During desert storm, I had an M-16, but all ammunition was stored on the other side of the base. USAF apparently thought too many of us would shoot each other in the foot, as opposed to actually caring about duty, responsibility, etc. so, it doesn't surprise me that this would be an issue today...
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