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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All airmen are trained at BMTS to fire the M16. They have to hit the target 20 times (after practice and zeroing) to pass. Then they scamper off to their tech schools and first jobs. If their job doesn't routinely require them to carry a weapon, then that's it. Hopefully in their long-term memory they retain some of that when you Security Forces folks need a second (or more) line of defense!
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Fully agree. Especially with the more broad scope of things Airmen are getting involved in. No such thing as too much knowledge!
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I would be amiss if I didn't say that not all USAF personnel are as incapable of handling the weapons you are spouting off about. I was selected to be a Security Police Augmentee and we were able to handle everything from shotguns to 203 grenade launchers. WHAT A BLAST! (granted I was raised by a Special Forces Dad who allowed me the freedom to learn about guns early on in life) Not all USAF personnel are as scared of weapons or handling them as you are portraying. I know personally some excellent sharp shooters who were active duty USAF! Thank You for your continuous service!
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SSgt (Join to see)
I never said all, but you know as well as I do that there is a great number of those who have no idea what to do with a weapon.
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CMSgt (Join to see)
Because we are not consistently trained... I had a few go's with the SAW when I was in the Army and kicked a$$. It was almost as big as I am! Lol
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because of potato? honestly if your in a combat zone or close enough to one everyone should be qualified for a weapon. and requal every 3 months.
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If you are deploying, you need to know how to handle a weapon. I had this conversation with one of my docs once. Neither of us were averse to handling a weapon, nor were we afraid of it, but agreed that if it got to the point either of us had to use it there were much bigger problems at hand.
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I would have no clue about that, but I will say that every branch of the military should be qualified with the M4. It's probably the easiest weapons system to assemble and disassemble as well. Even though the Air Force and navy don't have any 11bravos or anything close to that, it would be nice to know that they would be able to protect themselves in some kind of situation that requires them to use some rifle marksman skills.
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Completely agree. Once a year refresher "qualification" is of no help at all.
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SSgt (Join to see)
85% of Airman will not touch an M-4/ M-16 after BMT. No yearly "refreshers", that is, unless they deploy.
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SrA Daniel Hunter
Okay, I am speaking for those who do deploy. I was in a maintenance unit designated as AEF with a secondary duty of airfield security. Once a year was a joke. We were trained in anti-terrorism/anti-hijacking and yet no one was proficient with and M-16 unless they owned one.
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It's not necessary for airmen to know any of that. Even if an air field were to get over run, if your in country there is the army and marines on that same base. Even then I only carried security rounds and was told if something ever did happen to hold up in a bunker and let QRF deal with the problem. The AF doesn't assault hills you bomb them.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Emphatically disagree. All personnel should be able to contribute to an effective defensive force, this includes Airmen.
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Sgt (Join to see)
It's not what they were made to do. It's like saying a semi competes in Le Mans. Their contributions to a defense come from the sky. Saying every one of them needs to qualify annually is a waste of money. Maybe if ww3 comes they should get them to a rifle range but until then it's an unnecessary cost.
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