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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everyone needs to know how to fire a weapon That does not mean they haft to be good at it But you got to know how to defend your self if forced to
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As a flight engineer during Nam, I was required to be fully qualified on the M-16 and the .38 pistol (every day carry for flight crews in my outfit). During my AF career I also qualified on the M-1 (Yes, youngsters that's a real weapon), AR 14, AR15, .45, and various other weapons, some courtesy of US Army courses and instructors. I understand the reasoning behind AF Brass saying that not every Airman today needs to be weapon qualified, but ask the clerks and cooks and admin types at Danang and other places in Nam during TET 68, what THEY think of the idea! An Airman who can't defend himself and his fellow Airmen is really only partially trained and unable to do the basic job of defending his fellow Airman and his Airbase. If you can't qualify on the basis issued weapon(s) what good are you?
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When we went to Vietnam I had to go to Hamilton AFB, Ca for a refresher course on various weapons including grenades. This was in 1967.
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Nowadays you need to be a fully qualified rifleman just to be a civilian. With that said, shouldn't all branches of the military be proficient with small arms? What happens when the last plane leaves and you're not on it??. Fight back or surrender are about the only options.
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Only those of us in Rapid Deployment Wings were required to qualify every year. I grew up shooting guns and hunting, so it was no problem for me.
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well in the Navy Seabees and when assigned to a battalion every time we are back at our homeport besides our rate training we spend two weeks of military training which includes a week at the range qualifying with our M16 and .45 and crew serve weapons
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My service time was in the Navy, submarines, and we did not get a chance to shoot a weapon very often either. However, we carried a number and variety of hand weapons with us, and everyone was qualified to shoot a .45 pistol since they were carried on the deck watch. I guess that, in my view, if you are in the US Military, you should know how to use a weapon. If not, then why not simply use civilians to do the supply and admin work? Those who deploy, and all air crews should be trained in weapon usage also, in my estimation, or why are you designated as military? That is my opinion, and I am sure that many here will object to that idea, as many already have, but emergencies, that require the need for weapon usage arise all the time, and particularly now in this period of political upheaval!
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Former reservist at McCord. We were doing a field exercise. I, the mobility NCO advised the Captain in charge that the way he was deploying his defensive perimeter they would be shooting each other and attempted to diagram a mutually supporting group of fire teams, crossing lanes of fire et al.
I was told to bugger off.
When the aggressors attacked lot's of MILES gear started beeping. The aggressors hadn't raised their weapons, or fired a shot.
I was told to bugger off.
When the aggressors attacked lot's of MILES gear started beeping. The aggressors hadn't raised their weapons, or fired a shot.
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