While on the firing line at the range, what is the most off the wall excuse a Private has made up because they can't shoot?

SGT Tyler C. — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 22:34:09 -0500

I have heard everything from, kevlar too tight/loose, gloves, camelbak was in the way, can't fire with knee/elbow pads, never fired with a vest/kevlar in BCT, couldn't see anything, etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 10:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 22:37:20 -0500

I didn't hear an excuse but I remember as a Lance Corporal a Marine from the wing walked up to me and asked if I was with 3rd Marines. I said yes and then he asked what is the ready position.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jan 3 at 2015 11:20 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 23:20:46 -0500

My favorites are the ones that can't close just one eye. I used to keep a couple pairs of eye glasses with no lenses & tape over the left or right side. I ran a lot of ranges, and even if I wasn't the 1st line, I could give them the glasses and see dramatic improvement pretty fast.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Jan 4 at 2015 12:04 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:04:50 -0500

I've never heard a soldier make up an excuse, whether I was a range cadre or qualifying shooter. I guess it was the units and/or time in which I served, maybe?

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Jan 4 at 2015 1:43 PM

MSG Scott McBride — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 13:43:22 -0500

Listen guy, how many of us ever fires the first time with a Kevlar? Flak vest? Let alone a fixed fighting position with pop up targets...YOU, the Sergeant, the leader have to train them to fire...that said, what's your excuse for the private not zeroing / qualifying? Make it happen backbone!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 8:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 20:41:10 -0500

"Everything is blurry! I'm wearing my husband's contacts."

And, no shit, there I was.

Saying it.

Not as a PVT...

But as a POC.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 10:15 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:15:51 -0500

Her nipple ring was distracting her.......

Hey...it's what she said......

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 4 at 2015 10:29 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:29:52 -0500

No joke this one locked up the line. I was helping a soldier with shooting. Guy was in a standing position in a foxhole. He begins to shake and squirm around. I ask if everything is o.k. only to realize the guy just pissed himself. Up goes my fist, DI comes running over, just looks doesn't say a word. I take away his M-16 and clear it. The guy ended up section 8. He also came out late to morning formation soaking wet. He took a shower in full gear. We all ended up beating face for that one. Scares me thinking this guy on many occasions had a fully auto rifle and or live grenades.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Jan 5 at 2015 4:31 AM

SPC Lukas Jones — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 04:31:38 -0500

I actually heard a private tell me that he was not taught to exhale fully before squeezing his trigger. I spent an hour and over 30 rounds getting him zeroed before he said that to me. I proceeded to take the paddle and smack him on the helmet with it, then range walked over to the range NCO cussing and mumbling. I told the range NCO what I just was told and he laughed for a good 2 minutes.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jan 5 at 2015 10:11 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 10:11:51 -0500

I personally watched a young lady pull the trigger and throw the rifle across the berm when she zeroed. She stood up and danced around yelling that "it's too loud!" the range safeties came unglued and all I could do was laugh my butt off. Of Course, this was the same admin training unit that I supported when they went to the grenade range, I rendered safe 5 grenades all because of the shipping clips (jungle clips for us old timers) still attached! It was my turn to light some senior NCO's up over that one.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jan 5 at 2015 10:44 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 10:44:17 -0500

This is a range story - My first experience on a military range was in basic training. My DI walks through the formation once we march to the range and asks us where we were from and did we hunt? They pull about 12 of us out of formation and put us on the first firing order then have us set under a bunch of trees while the rest of the company zeroes. Once that was done, they call us back to the firing line and hand use someone else's M-16, since I shot as good left handed as right handed I would ask how they wanted it zeroed, right or left, and commence to zero.

We then were placed on the first firing order for qualification, of the 12 of us, only 10 qualified expert. we were placed under the trees until the rest of the company finished and called back to the line. This time we got to use our own weapons and qualified for the ones that did not after two attempts. The first two I shot for got expert, at that time I was hit on my steel pot by another DI as he informed me that I was not to shoot expert, but just pass. I did, I had a blast and at 18, I may or may not have known what was going on, but didn't care, I was shooting and not being placed on ammo detail or police call and no one was yelling at me!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 12:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:52:20 -0500

Well when I was a private and I couldn't hit the broad side of the barn in basic it was because my windage knob was broken and kept turning with every shot. I was finally issued a new weapon and never had a problem since !

Response by SPC James Patterson made Jan 6 at 2015 4:22 AM

SPC James Patterson — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 04:22:35 -0500

Once after coming back into service after a 3 year "vacation" I forgot that my combat zero was 27right and 3 up... About 60 rounds later at the zero line I remember... Only got sharp shooter that day but hey at least I remembered. Btw I do have a stigmatism in my right eye.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jan 6 at 2015 7:03 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 07:03:25 -0500

This isn't MY weapon, PVT Shmedlap 2 foxholes down has MY weapon, the one I qualified on the range with last time. I asked them (not that all of us remember) what there serial number was. They rattle it off and I checked the weapon, and lo and behold the soldier is firing THEIR weapon as I'm LMAO over their "excuse".

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Jan 6 at 2015 7:47 AM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 07:47:06 -0500

OK, mine wern't things I heard someone say, but rather thing that were said to me. Lol

Maybe I'm the only non-expert naturally borne shooter in the military, but I actually had a range instructor ask me, "Exactly what target are you shooting at?" Lol

Another time one asked me, "Is there something wrong with your weapon?" When I responded with, "Not that I know of"...he proceeded to grab the weapon from me and fired off three rounds in the center, handed me back the weapon, shook his head and walked off.

And no, I'm not deminishing the seriousness of accurately fireing a weapon. Just willing to admit that not everyone grew up hunting or shooting for fun. Actually, the first time I believe I ever held a weapon was in the military. Did I qualify? Yes, but it took a lot of practice, and I learned to endure some frustrated range instructors comments. Lol

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 8:19 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 08:19:24 -0500

Once, I was standing on the M9 range as a safety. My company had completed its tables, and we had assumed range duties so the other companies could shoot. I was hanging back, observing firers for correctable issues such as trigger squeeze, grip, and sight alignment. To my left, a SPC was all over the place. In the dirt. High into the berm. I moved over to look down his lane and figure out where he was going wrong. Wide right. Dirt Puff. Skipped one in and got a hit. Unsure myself what the issue was, I approached the Soldier and asked him what he thought he was doing wrong. He says, “I’m having a hard time adjusting my aim for the wind.” Now, I had heard a lot of excuses on the range, but that one was new. I asked him what he meant. He said that the rounds were blowing all over the place. Rallying some bearing, I asked him what the muzzle velocity of an M9 pistol was (1250 ft/sec). He didn’t know, so I informed him. I asked how long does it take for a bullet to fly 25 meters at that speed. Before he could fully answer, I helped him: not long. “SPC, how much do you suppose the cross wind (maybe 10 mph) affects the strike of the round between here and there.” He says, “I don’t know.” I say, “it doesn’t. You could be shooting in a tornado and it wouldn’t matter at this range” (not quite accurate, but I was making a point). Then he doubles down – “I don’t know about that, First Sergeant.” I say, “I do know about that. The reason you can’t hit anything is… (laundry list of issues that adds up to you can’t shoot straight). Get off my firing line and find an NCO who can help you while dry firing. Don’t come back until he/ she can tell me you are ready for another try.”
He slinks off, and his First Sergeant comes over to investigate what happened. I told him the story, and he wanted to smoke him. I told him to settle down, he wasn’t really disrespectful (I didn’t take it that way, anyway), he just needs some help and a break from the range.

The SPC came back an hour or so later and shot a 27.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 10:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 10:25:01 -0500

I've heard people say they shoot better with a certain weapon preference (M-16 vs. M-4) as well as I shoot better with a better mount system (Trijicon, Aimpoint over BUIS). Even the ranges themselves. (Can we do paper targets instead) Of course they're easier...They're not MOVING!

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Jan 6 at 2015 8:02 PM

SFC Walter Mack — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:02:04 -0500

I think my most memorable experience was in Boot Camp. I was learning to shoot, and had a Corporal behind me as a marksmanship instructor. I guess I was doing something wrong, although I forget what. I kid you not, I was preparing to fire, weapon on fire, round in the chamber, sighting in on my target & I had begun trigger squeeze at end exhalation. As I'm waiting for the weapon to fire, I see a gloved hand move in front of my barrel, and he just says stop! I froze & almost defecated. All I could see was the hole about to appear in his hand. Thankfully, the weapon did not fire, the correction was made, and I learned to fire extremely well. Good instructor, but maybe not the most effective tactic to intervene.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 6 at 2015 8:02 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:02:32 -0500

"Drill Sergeant I cant hit the target" Yes Soldier I can see that. I'll take a closer look this next round and see if we can fix that.
"Drill sergeant I think I know why"
Really...why?
"Drill Sergeant I think my barrel is bent"
Ahh, sure that could be it, happens all the time (no sarcasm font, but I would have used it to set the tone if it existed) then I notice the serious face...... ahhh, PRIVET .. WHY do you think your barrel is bent?
"Drill sergeant I bent it this morning when i fell out the window"
(Keeping in mind I was at Fort Jackson, in the first Gender Integrated units, so asking this next question is never fun and generally a bad idea) PVT how,,err why,, no how did you fall out of the window.and WHAT window?
".........Drill Sergeant......ahhh...... well...." STOP.. say nothing else... lock and clear.... we need to have this conversation with the commander.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 6 at 2015 8:29 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:29:08 -0500

I only got 23/40 (first time though) in basic.
After basic, however, in Germany, I had an awesome support team that taught me to relax and I shot high 30s or 40 every time.

Then I got to El Paso. Had a terrible NCO. Terrible. But I was still awesome at shooting because I listened to what my leaders taught me beforehand. So we went to the range in El Paso, and I could not zero. EVERY time I adjusted my rifle(tight 3 rounds every time) my grouping went completely different than what it was supposed to be. My NCO, gravajola, or however it's spelled, talked shit about me with one of the guys that was supposed to be checking our rifles when we complained about them. They both came to the conclusion that I just sucked and was a complainer.
Then SPC Jacobs took a look at my rifle. He told me my front sight post was bent. He pulled out his gerber, straightened it and sent me down the line to qualify. First pop up target was, thankfully, 100 yards, and I missed, but was able to adjust where I should aim. I got 39/40.

My point being - maybe you should take the time to help your soldiers. Encourage them. Teach them. And when they have a tight grouping you should take that into consideration. Don't just sit around in a forum and complain about them. It makes you seem like a terrible leader.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 8:45 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:45:19 -0500

A PVT told the Drill Sergeant she didn't feel comfortable firing live rounds. Calm as glass, he puts a hand on her shoulder and fishes way in the back of the stack of magazines and tells her, "look, these with the green tips are special blanks. When you fire them, they go bang like blanks, but they will appear to put holes in the target so no one else will know." No lie, she cried tears of relief and thanked him for his understanding. I was stunned. By the time she figured it out, she was over it.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 6 at 2015 10:02 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 22:02:58 -0500

I remember the urban legend of the MI Unit (admin, signal, who knows for sure), that zeroed every time, but couldn't hit the pop-ups. Answer was provided when one of the new NCOs to the unit caught a number of them using their weapon barrels as levers to fix their cots....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 11:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Jan 2015 23:43:23 -0500

I didn't sleep well last night And my neck is too tight.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 4:02 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:02:45 -0500

I knew a private in basic who claimed he had "a traumatic experience with guns"
The DS proceeded to tell him horrific war stories about how HE had traumatic experience with weapons of all sorts.. He stopped the excuses after that

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 6:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:56:29 -0500

I had this problem, on hot days with high humidity my eyepro would fog up but I just wiped them out and drove on, but some privates didn't have perception eyeglasses when they obviously need them

Response by SGT Thomas Raun Jefferson II made Jan 7 at 2015 8:11 PM

SGT Thomas Raun Jefferson II — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:11:00 -0500

unfortunately, I've only been a range safety once in my short nco career, and they all shot better than me!

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 7 at 2015 11:27 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 23:27:23 -0500

I had a problem during qualifying/practicing a couple of times.
1) rain kept tearing the targets off the posts
2) snow. Damn I HATE the cold.
3) the worst and lowest I ever qualified, the WM next to me kept ejecting her spent brass down my back. Ever try to fire while being branded!

Response by SPC Robert Bibbo made Jan 7 at 2015 11:37 PM

SPC Robert Bibbo — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 23:37:17 -0500

In basic I shot 39 out of 40 I have been shooting rifles since I was 10... I missed the 150 yard target and first sgt stops the line and asks how did I miss the 150 yard target? I calmly say "1sgt I didn't miss the target my round went through an existing hole" so he sends me out again to prove it and I shoot 40 of 40.... my bunk mate had never shot in his life was losing his mind the night before. I worked with him that night on what to do his first time out he shoots 39 of 40 1sgt asks him where he learned to shoot he says "spc bibbo taught me how last night 1sgt" next thing I know I'm coaching up all the poor shooters. I have one soldier who would blink or actually close his eyes as a pre reaction to the shot I made him take his other arm and hold his eye lids open while he shot and it worked he shot a 28

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 7 at 2015 11:39 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 23:39:41 -0500

"He's got Marty Feldman eyes".

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 12:55 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 00:55:58 -0500

I swear I hit the targets, they just didn't go down!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 4:09 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 04:09:01 -0500

Two months ago I was on range detail and another private said he couldn't zero because his firing pin was bent and was making his shots curve. My team chief was also the armorer and assured him that his weapon was fine after they were inspected for maintenance later that month.

Response by SSG Ryan Walker made Jan 8 at 2015 5:12 AM

SSG Ryan Walker — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 05:12:40 -0500

Pvt told me, "I don't understand, I'm an expert marksman in call of duty"

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jan 8 at 2015 8:04 AM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 08:04:41 -0500

I heard a guy in basic tell our Drill Instructor that he was an excellent shot, but couldn't hit anything because the rifle distracts him when it goes "doink" (referring to the sound the buffer spring makes)

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Jan 8 at 2015 9:50 AM

LTC Scott O'Neil — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 09:50:25 -0500

I was an Infantry Training Company XO (4/36 IN, 1st INF TNG BDE, Fort Benning GA) and I have 2 stories to share.

The first was, the company was on the automatic weapons range and a recruit was acting up on the range and refused to fire his weapon. Well I as the range OIC and the Senior Drill Instructor (SFC Wolf) pulled the individual off the firing line and asked him why he refused to fire the weapon. Well it seemed that prior to this incident during individual M!^ qualification the recruit had a hard time zeroning his weapon and qualifying. His Drill made him do addition training and one of the dry fire ranges and in one of the simulators. I am also sure that the Drill Instructor got in his face a few times as well. Back to the range well it comes out in the discussion with the recruit that he did not want to fire live rounds because he was afraid he would not qualify and he did not want to have additional training with his Drill Instructor. He then told me that he was afraid he would turn his weapon on his Drill Instructor if he was pushed to fire the weapon. Cease Fire Freeze, he said what. He said "he would turn his weapon on his Drill Instructor". I called the MPs and the Medics and turned the recruit over to be psychologically evaluated and charged for making a verbal threat against his Drill Instructor.

This was not on a range but another story. We were out on the field exercise before graduation with the training company. We had just conducted a combat landing with C130s into a hot airfield and were extracted by Blackhawks to our assembly area. While in the Assembly Area, one of the Drill Instructors came to me and said that Recruit so and so wanted to speak with me in private. I said sure not problem. I asked the Drill Instructor if he had a clue as to why. He said no. I said bring him on. The recruit and the Drill come in and the recruit breaks down crying. He says he can't take it any more, and I told him this is fun training and you have only a week left until graduation. He says no sir I can't take it anymore. I ask what can't you take anymore. He states: "I was initiated into a gang back in LA, and my initiation was I had to kill someone and cut off their head. I said what? He made the statement again. I said stop right there, I read him his rights, called CID and had him e-vacked out of the field to the MP Station. We were putting his stuff together and the Senior Drill Instructor found 3 live M16 rounds (5.56 ball) in his sleeping bag. Taking no chances we did a health and welfare search of the rest of the recruits and no other ammo turned up. I checked in with the MPs turned in the ammo to them and asked if their had been any info from LA. Come to find out he gave his statement to the CID officers and they found a body just where and how he said it was disposed of.

Response by MSgt Ramon Almendarez Jr made Jan 8 at 2015 10:34 AM

MSgt Ramon Almendarez Jr — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:34:34 -0500

As a Drill Instructor everyone can shoot, it's to get them to qual. Drill Instructor from 71-72, MCRD, 3RTBn, PISC

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 11:16 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 11:16:13 -0500

I haven't heard too many, but I had an experience that must have seemed crazy to my PL. At a range in Iraq I was zeroing my M16A2. After I fired three rounds my PL would come over and we would adjust my front and rear sights as needed. When I would shoot again my grouping would be way off. After being scolded a few times for not using the same sight picture I was pulled from the range. Through it all I swore my front sight post was bent as my rounds were landing on the horizontal plane of the target. It took the BN CSM to look at my rifle and back me up to not get smoked.

Response by SSG Stan Morrison Jr made Jan 8 at 2015 12:27 PM

SSG Stan Morrison Jr — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 12:27:58 -0500

Funniest thing I ever saw, we had Cadets from ROTC attached to our BCT class at Fort Jackson. We were out at the M60 range, all of us E- nothings listening intently to our instruction, the Cadets off to the side looking all cool, and joking around. I got my chance, blew off my 200 RDS got out of the whole and joined my squad on the bench. Mr Hotshot Cadet gets in the hole, adopts his best Rambo pose( 1 hand on pistol grip, one holding the belt, standing straight up), let's fly, gets slammed straight into the bottom of the hole, blasting straight in the air. We all scattered. Drill Sergeant dove in the hole and twisted the belt, shutting it down. We never saw that Cadet again!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 1:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:03:00 -0500

I laughed because it is not Privates that I heard make up excuses.

Response by Cpl Robert Kafader made Jan 8 at 2015 5:49 PM

Cpl Robert Kafader — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:49:02 -0500

My platoon had a recruit fall back into our range qualification and he was held back twice I think he was scared to get into the fleet and get some

Response by SGT Jason Beatty made Jan 8 at 2015 7:00 PM

SGT Jason Beatty — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:00:39 -0500

Mine was actually from an E7. I had just got out of the 11th ACR and joined a reserve unit. A career reserve NCO went to qualify on the M60 before me and couldn't hit any of the stacked tires at 300 yards. He got up cussing and swearing, screaming that the gun was messed up. I laid down next with my "loader", a good kid but another career reservist and he didn't know how to load the machine gun. I loaded it and told him to feed me, then looked at the rear sight. It was set for max range (this is 1991, before desert storm so I don't remember the range it was set at). I reset and proceed to drill the targets.....

That SOB gave me extra duty the next two days.....

I left that unit the next month.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 8 at 2015 7:59 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 19:59:00 -0500

The batteries in the lithium sights must be dead... bent barrel.... crooked bullets....sun in eyes....

Response by SPC Louis Copechal made Jan 8 at 2015 8:18 PM

SPC Louis Copechal — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:18:53 -0500

My experience takes me back to 1989 at Ft Dix New Jersey. When it was a basic training camp before becoming a reserve center. I was in training when they started up with the "time out cards". Out on the range this pvt was being hit with ground drills because of his lack for paying attention. We where all asked who hit expert and several of us did. They chose someone to take his place to qualify him. Little did they realize that he had 5 live rounds hidden in his cargo pocket. He walked up to a DS and pulled one out and asked the DS if it was a good color on his lips as he acted like it was lip stick.... Well to make a long story short the DS tackled him and emptied his pockets to find the rest along with the famous time out card. Here he had been seeing the psych doctor and it wasn't reported. He got an immediate section 8. They took him to the airport to send him home. Once he got out of the vehicle he acted like he was riding a motorcycle and the DS who took him there said he was no longer in the military and free to go home. He climbed off his imaginary motorcycle handed the DS the key and as he walked away flipped off the DS and stated " well i got my 100% the military can go pound salt.... He faked it all along and now they are still trying to figure out how to revoke the benefits he recieves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 8:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:43:16 -0500

Pretty sure I've heard them all. My favorite though, was a SGT that over a 4 year stint in the same unit had failed to ever zero her weapon. To top it off, she would eventually be allowed to try to qualify on her "unzeroed" M4... which typically ended in several hundred rounds expended before barely qualifying.

She was promotable to SSG when I PCSed.

Response by 1SG James McGrath made Jan 8 at 2015 8:56 PM

1SG James McGrath — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 20:56:31 -0500

A sweat bee kept blocking my sight picture.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 9:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:15:26 -0500

I actually had a soldier tell me he did not know which eye was his dominant one.When he was shooting with his right hand his right eye was closed. When I asked do you see your target he replied by saying yes so why are missing every target he was like I don't know. Took the soldier made sure he knew his dominant eye and that day he qualified expert.

Response by SGT James LeFebvre made Jan 8 at 2015 9:52 PM

SGT James LeFebvre — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:52:09 -0500

Shoot, I just admit I sucked, lol. Hell, I still qualified, just was never stellar in shooting.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 10:01 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 22:01:03 -0500

One of my experiences that I witnessed, and I still don't know how she did it, but there was this LTC Dietician....somehow she managed to get the loaded magazine into the weapon backwards.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2015 11:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 23:24:59 -0500

The targets keep going down too fast; i can't get a "bead" on em.

Response by SGT Tyler C. made Jan 9 at 2015 12:31 AM

SGT Tyler C. — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:31:27 -0500

Another I heard was "Man, Fast freddy is fast".....well no kidding.
I also had to confiscate the skillcraft pens to keep questionable people from "poking" a 40/40 after joking about it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:16 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 02:16:56 -0500

My reason in basic was my eye pro kept fogging up, which was the truth... I had not received my prescription glasses or inserts so I had to wear my eye pro over my civilian pair of glasses. My DS came and asked what my issue was and why I kept removing my eye pro. He told me to shoot without my eye pro on so my glasses wouldn't fog up and I could zero my weapon.

Response by SR Javier Betancourt made Jan 9 at 2015 8:41 AM

SR Javier Betancourt — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 08:41:03 -0500

A navy cook said she did not know she had to touch a weapon because she signed up to cook. She received an honorable discharge smh

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Jan 9 at 2015 11:50 AM

SGT Mitch McKinley — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 11:50:06 -0500

"The safety walked into our line of fire".

I wish I was making this up. And this was all permanent party folks. We were conducting a pop-up target range. The entire far right end of the firing line stopped shooting, about halfway through. We called a cease fire, so we could go see what was happening. We called ready on the left. We saw the white paddle. Ready in the center? White paddle. Ready on the right? No paddle. Ready on the right? Still no paddle. We had everyone clear and place their weapons down and step back from the firing line. When we got down there, we started asking what had happened. They all said the same thing. They stopped because the safety had walked off the range to their right and slightly forward of the firing line.
We pulled everyone off the range and went to find the safety. We found him sitting on a tree stump about 250 yards into the tree line, eating an MRE.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 12:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:42:34 -0500

As A 91f (Small Arms Repair) I have heard every excuse under the sun for the weapon is malfunctioning, front sight leaning, rear sight to high, mostly all 10 level excuses.

Response by PO1 Kathy Stivaletta made Jan 9 at 2015 12:46 PM

PO1 Kathy Stivaletta — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 12:46:59 -0500

I didn't realize I was hitting the target to my left! mind you the IT on the left was a sharp shooter!

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 1:14 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:14:16 -0500

I was a safety on an M9 range in Korea and one of my last firers was a Korean soldier (KATUSA). It was winter and temperatures were in the single digits without windchill. I notice the Soldier shaking and asked if he was cold to which he replied, "I am! But I'm more nervous!" I simply told him to relax, told a couple jokes and tried to get him comfortable. When it came time for the familiarization he pointed his weapon at the targets shaking like it was going out of style. I put a hand on his shoulder and told him again to relax and it would be okay. He fired all ten rounds in about 5 seconds and hit only one target. When i asked what he was doing he said, "I couldn't see the targets." I asked why not and just after I got out the last letter of my question I realized that he still had his eyes closed. Not an asian joke, He couldn't have his eyelids clasped together more tightly.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 1:21 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:21:09 -0500

It was too cold.
I am a pacifist anyway

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 2:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:41:11 -0500

must be shooting blanks. And i mean it, she truely thought for a brief moment that someone loaded her 3 round mags up with blanks - because she didnt even hit the zeroing paper target!

in the end, we discovered she was left eye dominant - not right eye.

Response by SGT Dennis Britton jr made Jan 9 at 2015 2:50 PM

SGT Dennis Britton jr — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:50:31 -0500

You know I understand where people are coming off about helping out soldiers and all but some things a NCO cant do nothing about. I had a 26 year old private come crying to me when it was time to go night fire because he was scared of the dark. I made him go out and he cried and cried that it was to dark, was never able to get him to shoot so I do not know how he got thru basic. needless to say he was out of the army not long after that.

Response by MSgt Ramon Almendarez Jr made Jan 9 at 2015 3:56 PM

MSgt Ramon Almendarez Jr — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 15:56:14 -0500

As a Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps no excuse at all. I don't know about the Army Drill Segeants, all Marine Hats are also Primary Marksmanship Instuctors. In the day we had iron sights and fired from 200, 300, and the 500 yard line. With optics today their should be no excuse not to qual. Most important is grass week, when your PMI and Hats teach the positions of shooting offhand (standing), kneeling, sitting, and prone. Basic marksmanship principles whether on the range or in combat, depends upon the application of these basic principles, sighting and aiming, position, wind effects, and trigger control. I can go on and on about shooting ...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 4:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:27:43 -0500

A sgt told me the targets went dropping because his rounds had to have going through previous bullets holes, and he knew that he hit every target with head shots. His score was 2 out of 40... unacceptable

Response by SPC Leisel Luman made Jan 9 at 2015 4:44 PM

SPC Leisel Luman — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:44:34 -0500

I'm ashamed to admit that I was a bad PVT. I saw the ones who qualified quickly were sent away for some shite detail. I enjoyed the range so extended my time there by shooting targets one lane over. Until the instructor came to ernistly help me. I exclaimed oh this is the lane you wanted me to shoot in? I didn't have a problem qualifying I had a problem wanting to leave the range. I was a bad PVT and I apologize for my bad behavior.

Response by SP5 Richard Maze made Jan 9 at 2015 5:06 PM

SP5 Richard Maze — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:06:55 -0500

"I'm just not feeling it today."

Response by SPC Ed Scoville made Jan 9 at 2015 5:26 PM

SPC Ed Scoville — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 17:26:30 -0500

This really isn't an excuse, but it is a range story...

I had just reached My first permanent party station in Germany when I was told that I would be attending a week long .50 range. No big deal. Sounded like fun, and for the most part it was.

While at the range we were zeroing in the weapons when the range NCO discovered that the tracer rounds were burning the paper targets. There was a cease fire called and we were instructed to remove all of the tracer rounds from the belts.

While we were working on this task out of no where an NCO starts yelling at a PFC. Turns out she was using one tracer round to push another one out of the belt.

The NCO made a point to instruct everyone not to do this. Once the impromptu SGT. time training was over we all turned our focus back to our task. The NCO goes back to the PFC to help her. Within a minutes shot rings out. Everyone drops to the ground and starts to look to see where the round came from. The NCO that yelled at the PFC stands up holding his hand. He's clearly in shock and starts walking down range with blood dripping.

Turns out he did the same thing the PFC was doing and the .50 round went off in his hand shredding and burning it. He lost his rank and was kicked out of the Army.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Jan 9 at 2015 10:03 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:03:18 -0500

"there is a hole in the target! I swear I'm hitting it!" (at the end of the day we found a grapefruit size hole and had very little surface left on the 100m target due to poor range maintenance) soldier was right.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made Jan 9 at 2015 10:04 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:04:22 -0500

the best one I heard was "Must be bad rounds" M9 range the LT's rounds kept hitting the dirt before the target

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2015 10:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:45:22 -0500

Scratch in eye pro

Response by PO3 Rod Arnold made Jan 9 at 2015 11:32 PM

PO3 Rod Arnold — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 23:32:37 -0500

Needed new glasses !

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made Jan 10 at 2015 1:24 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 01:24:39 -0500

I had issues when we whent from the m16 to the m4 sight it in for a few rounds then I got it

Response by CPL Amanda Munson made Jan 10 at 2015 10:59 AM

CPL Amanda Munson — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:59:01 -0500

I was on a live range in 2006 and a nut job threw a grenade backwards.

Response by SFC Patrick M. made Jan 10 at 2015 11:25 AM

SFC Patrick M. — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:25:06 -0500

I spent my 22 years as a Medic. I served both Active Duty for 8 1/2 years and then continued in the PA Army National Guard. I have served in combat arms units, combat support (Engineers) and a state side hospital. As a medic I was on ranges many times and at the state side hospital as one of the few that liked spending time at the range I got to go often to train soldiers and officers to shoot well so they could qualify.
I routinely heard strange reasons why soldiers couldn't shoot. One of my funniest was I haven't had to wear BDUs or Boots or touch a weapon in 10 years since basic and AIT.
I agree with the Drill Sgt pulling a fast one on the trainee about the different bullets. You do what has to be done to accomplish the mission. I routinely put dummy rounds into the magazine of soldiers I was training. Then when the weapon jerked and no round was fired they realized they were jerking the weapon and it wasn't recoil. The M16 has almost no recoil and people were still afraid of it. An M9 is also a light recoil. After they realized they were causing most of the weapon movement they calmed down and learned to shoot.
Since training them to shoot was the goal and I and that Drill Sgt accomplished the mission it doesn't matter how we did it. No one was harmed, no one was made to feel stupid in front of their peers. I am sure the young private looks back on the incident now and laughs just like I do about many of my "Teaching Moments" at the hands of my Drill Sgt.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 6:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:45:57 -0500

"Sergeant! I can't get a good sight picture through this Aimpoint." SMH

Response by SPC John Fisher made Jan 10 at 2015 10:47 PM

SPC John Fisher — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 22:47:28 -0500

I was a good shot , one of 7 to qualify expert at Benning out of 250 . I didn't care . Just wanted to survive OSUT . Had my first person shoot at me when I was 12 . Shot my first human when I was 12 . Shot my first animal at 10 , a chipmunk at 50 yards with a bolt action 22 . Took him in the throat , right where the round was supposed to be . Never equate marksmanship with rank or experience . I once graded on a range for EIB , and only 6 qualified expert . Cololnel complained , and the next day they came back , and this time we had 72 experts . Brag all you want about how fucked up enlisted are , but , I can shoot a rats ass at 500 meters with iron sites . Can you ?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 2:09 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 02:09:47 -0500

"My eyes were sweating, sir."

I told him there is no crying at the range.

My favorite was "the targets are too far away and the ground is uneven" I heard that in Korea.

Response by SPC Elizabeth Jones made Jan 11 at 2015 4:30 AM

SPC Elizabeth Jones — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 04:30:09 -0500

There's a deer in my way

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 8:12 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 08:12:20 -0500

Paper targets are too difficult because they don't fall down like at the other qualification range.

Also, an NCO I know said he was too worried about a $300 knife that fell out of his pocket while on the way to the range.

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Jan 11 at 2015 3:27 PM

SSG Timothy McCoy — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 15:27:46 -0500

"I can't see the targets"
While on The EIB range, multiple soldiers had the same complainant.
When the Bde CO came out to observe training, a young PVT, supposedly bet the Commander $50 that he couldn't Qualify either. When the COL jumped down into the firing position to shoot he couldn't see some of the targets either. We were moved to a different range the next day.
Miraculously 95% of the EIB candidates qualified the next day.

Response by SGT Mikel Dohner made Jan 11 at 2015 5:45 PM

SGT Mikel Dohner — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:45:51 -0500

I had a soldier who swore the targets moved left and right. Come to find out he couldn't keep his hand steady.

Response by SPC Chris Halpin made Jan 11 at 2015 7:40 PM

SPC Chris Halpin — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 19:40:29 -0500

I'll never forget basic training when we were zeroing our m16s before the range....one of my fellow soldiers was having such a hard time that the drill sergeant made him put down his weapon, pick up a handful of rocks to throw at the target

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 1:34 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 01:34:44 -0500

My favorite was a CPT not a PVT. His excuse was generic but the hilarious part was that when I was giving the safety breif for about the twentieth time I realized this guy was going for round two and had pulled his rank off too avoid embarrassment as if no one would realize who he was.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 5:50 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:50:09 -0500

The gas makes my eyes water.

Response by PO1 Charles Carter made Jan 12 at 2015 5:47 PM

PO1 Charles Carter — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 17:47:16 -0500

In the early 1950s, qualified with M1 with iron sights. First high powered rifle I'd ever shot. Thought I'd died and went to heaven. Except for being antsy about getting thumb out reloading clip loved that rifle. Was amazed how accurate it was at the distance. The .45 semi was something else. I complained to the instructor that I could shoot better if I wasn't shooting square bullets. All the holes in target were square. I heard him remark to another instructor, "Are you the one that's been loading the square ammo?" They had their own private laugh about that.

Response by SPC Bradley Brooks made Jan 13 at 2015 12:03 PM

SPC Bradley Brooks — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:03:01 -0500

M-16 range on Ft Drum. Had a PFC tell me the wind was blowing his targets down before he could fire at them. The SPC on the lane next to him shot a 0/40 but swore he hit every target. Watch YOUR lane

Response by CW4 Dan Cady made Jan 13 at 2015 12:04 PM

CW4 Dan Cady — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 12:04:56 -0500

In 1969, at Ft. Polk, I had a recruit argue that he could not see the target. Ended up he was blind in his right eye! He kept trying to lean his face over the M14 to see the bull. He barely failed. It was the Vietnam era after all! He went home that day!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2015 2:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 14:59:44 -0500

"Sir, these bullets don't fly straight. "

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made Jan 16 at 2015 11:56 AM

SSG Jason Neumann — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:56:27 -0500

So, there I was at LOMAH and a Soldier said "I think my zero is off". Took the rifle, got an excellent shooting prone position, notified the Soldier to watch the screen. After completed in firing off a couple rounds, I asked the Soldier "what did they see?". The replied, "Nothing much, but a smiley face on the target". It's you, you are the problem, the rifle is just fine "Carry on".

Response by SGT Thomas Raun Jefferson II made Jan 17 at 2015 3:23 PM

SGT Thomas Raun Jefferson II — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 15:23:36 -0500

well, I just got off the M4 range the other day, and I kept hearing the same reasons... Inexperience on that particular weapon system; weapon not zero'd (because we were rushed off the range) not enough training... For me it was more than just that. I can't control the M4 like I could the M16.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 5:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 17:35:41 -0500

Had a SGT tell me he couldn't zero because he wasn't used to shooting with teeth.... he had just gotten a full set of dentures a week prior.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 9:15 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 21:15:46 -0500

Actually, the best excuse I ever heard was from a "former" Marine. For some reason, most of the "non-shooters" I have ever tried to mentor have been former Marines. Maybe that is why they were "former" Marines.

Anyway, after several hours of mentoring; going through... I don't know how many rounds of ammo and multiple tutors, the young Soldier (and "former" Marine) said...
"... Do I have to use BOTH sights at the SAME TIME?" (By this, he meant both the front and rear sights). "Yes", I replied, "I don't know how they taught you to shoot in the Marine Corps but in the ARMY, you have to use both sights... at the SAME TIME. It's just the way it is."

1SG Chris Maes

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jan 18 at 2015 9:39 AM

LTC John Wilson — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 09:39:34 -0500

I usually do quite well on the M16/M4, but I have to admit that getting a steady hold with body armor on is challenging. I've heard no one adequately address this in training.

Response by LTC John Wilson made Jan 18 at 2015 9:46 AM

LTC John Wilson — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 09:46:48 -0500

While a Cadet, I recall an accuracy challenged peer blame the M16 as the reason he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a bass fiddle on the zero range.

Our Green Beret SGM replied, "Really? Let me see that."

He got down in the prone, inserted a full magazine and commenced to empty it in rapid succession. The SGM had cut out a small, silver dollar sized hole in the middle of the zero target.

He handed it to the cadet and said (basically): "I don't think this weapon is your problem."

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Jan 24 at 2015 12:42 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:42:21 -0500

My drill sergeant had too high of an expectation of me because I was from NYC. I hit 22/40 more than a few times. My excuse: My weapon wasn't zeroed. It's the truth because my rounds always went high and I could not hit anything beyond 250 meters with an M-16. Glasses didn't help, either. I was better known for headshots than hitting center mass, anyway!

Response by PO3 Rod Arnold made Jan 28 at 2015 4:32 PM

PO3 Rod Arnold — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 16:32:10 -0500

The funniest was when a bad smell drifted downwind, it seems the private two lanes down crapped his pants on the first round fired.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 6:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 18:03:09 -0400

I have ADD in my right eye. I swear this was said to me.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 19 at 2015 9:25 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 09:25:00 -0400

It was -4 on the range in Ft Lewis and I was FREEZING!
And I have the Marksman badge to prove it!

Response by Cpl Kristoffer Mischel made May 21 at 2015 12:27 AM

Cpl Kristoffer Mischel — Thu, 21 May 2015 00:27:55 -0400

My favorite one is when the shooter blames the rifle. I always got, "My rifles f***ed up!" I usually got the biggest complaints about a defective weapon on the 500 yard line. To that I would respond, "Let me see your weapon." I would then proceed to grab the rifle and nail the target from the 500 yard line, most of the time center mass, from the standing. I would make sure to tell them that the weapon was fine. The funniest thing was it was Sgt's and above making those complaints. That's what I loved about the junior Marines, they would listen to the tips and instructions.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made May 24 at 2015 3:52 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Sun, 24 May 2015 03:52:09 -0400

I got into trouble on the M 60 rang. I was at Fort Knox doing scout training osut training had the same drill Sargents the whole time. I was having issues with one Ds the whole time since day one even the guys pointed it out. We'll they where on the range and we where doing a quick run threw they would wave there hands a team would come up watch hand signals and then fire the Ds was on my lane not wanting to give him any reason to come near me I watched his hands he signaled as I was loading the weapon I felt a hand start to grab me I yanked away rapidly and stood toe to toe with him. When I relized it was him I was like oh shit I'm in trouble now he sent me to the captins tent to report an issue that I could not fallow comands correctly. The cpt was not there he went to lunch the Ds started to smoke me then anouther Ds relived him this went on in tell the cpt got back the Ds lend in real close and said now your going to go tell the cpt you can't cut it and you are not made for the military I want you out of my platoon and we want you gone. I said I understood I walked up to cpt green and said sir Ds and there 2 names feel I am not cut out to be here and would like me to tell you I think I should go home. The look on there faces was priceless. The cpt looked at me and said well what do you think. I said I made a promise to my grandpa and my self that I would graduate and that's what I plan to do ( grandpa was 20 yrs navy ) cpt looked at the Ds the one that yanked me off the range he asked what is the problem the Ds said he fears for his life and thought I was going to shoot him. The cpt asked me if this was my intent I said no I don't wish to kill anyone who isn't my sworn enemy the cpt nodded his head and called all the Ds over and asked if any of them trusted me most of them said they did he picked a Ds to go to the firing line with me and said this is an odd request he had me point my weapon down the line at the Ds and said now what we are going to do is when I say load Freeman will load the m60 as fast as he can once he is ready to fire he will pivot down range and shoot in that amount or time Ds ravara I want you to run towards Freeman and stop him before he fires a round. Do you feel comfortable with this he said he did. I set up in the prone cpt said go I loaded pivoted and fired 3 rounds before he got to me the cpt said stop. Looked at the drill Sargent and said I'm sure if Freeman wanted you dead you would be. I was transferred to 2nd platoon the next day. I never broke I saw guys cry and feel like they couldn't go on but I laughed that was how I delt with stuff was to think of something and smile. Found out sometime latter that there where a few Freeman s that had gone threw the first went awol and the next cycle a Freeman went awol even earlier then the last so he made it his goal to see me leave even earlier then the last 2.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 24 at 2015 4:33 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 24 May 2015 04:33:07 -0400

Ummmmm......I was shooting at the wrong lane.

Response by SGT James Allen made May 24 at 2015 9:35 AM

SGT James Allen — Sun, 24 May 2015 09:35:42 -0400

I had an interesting thing happen to me while qualifying in basic training. The first few targets drop just fine, then all of a sudden, I squeeze the trigger and nothing happens. I chamber a new round, try again, and once more nothing happens. I should have raised my hand after that, but no, my dumb a$$ decided to try one more time. I squeeze the trigger, and it feels stiff, but I keep going and the damn thing starts firing in full auto! I just threw the weapon down in front of me and waited to be killed. I think there were two drill sergeants and a couple of cadre behind me before I could even turn around. I thought I was going to get a boot to the head right there.
My drill sergeant picks up my weapon and says "There better be a rock in your lower receiver." I prayed really hard for a rock and, thank God, there was one! It was a big one, and I have no idea how it got there, but it was Ft. Leonard Wood, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised to find a rock anywhere.
I hind sight, I should have asked to keep the rock. When you consider what would have happened to me had it not been there, it was kind of a lucky rock. I loved that rock.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 12:00:05 -0400

I had one private say she couldn't concentrate on shooting because her stomach was cramping too bad.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 12:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 12:34:37 -0400

Not just Privates who can't Shoot, I've seen Officers as well as NCOs who have a rough time shooting, even at an Alternate Qual range. Usually they cannot grasp the basics of marksman ship. I heard everything from the weapons screwed to well I just can't or the uniform affecting my ability. I believe the Army doesn't devote enough time to basic marksman ship. Thearine Corps. However devotes a whole week to basic shooting on a Known Distance Range. They qualify up to 500 M and they stress the basics and it pays off. If you want to increase Marksmanship I suggest taking a note from the Marines.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 7:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 19:33:39 -0400

Every shot throws off my zero.

Response by PO1 Charles Carter made May 24 at 2015 8:21 PM

PO1 Charles Carter — Sun, 24 May 2015 20:21:45 -0400

"I could have shot better if my M-1 didn't make my lip sore." Think he hadn't paid attention?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 11:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 23:09:23 -0400

When I was in Basic Training, I was not the greatest shot with iron sites. I always hunted with a scope. So when I zeroed for the first au sucked! I raised my hand and told the range safety that I was Native American (I am a proud Chickasaw) and I needed my bow and arrows! He told my Drill Sergeant and I did some low crawling!

Response by SSG John Jensen made May 26 at 2015 3:18 PM

SSG John Jensen — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:18:31 -0400

i once saw a rifle with a bent barrel at the range

Response by SSG John Jensen made May 26 at 2015 3:27 PM

SSG John Jensen — Tue, 26 May 2015 15:27:46 -0400

at bragg in '83, the post opened up a range that had been down for about 20 years - at qual when the tower was popping up the targets to show us where they were, i was missing 2 of them, i asked the safety and he told me they were behind some trees that had grown up while the range was down, one of my best qual fires because of all of my alibis

Response by SPC Eric Strohl made Jan 17 at 2016 4:11 PM

SPC Eric Strohl — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 16:11:25 -0500

Had a 1SG asking for extra rounds at a qualification range. Then the ate up S.O.B. had the nuts to wear expert......

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jan 17 at 2016 5:09 PM

CPL Jay Strickland — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 17:09:19 -0500

I have sympathy for those who have trouble with marksmanship some of us it just takes longer. I almost has to repeat basic and then by some miracle I nail 40 our of 40 on my last chance. I do not know what happened, I think I was just so frustrated I stopped thinking and started shooting. After that I never had a problem and shooting became one of my ways to relax.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 8:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 20:38:44 -0500

The sweat is in my eyes.

Response by SPC Brad Pratt made Jan 17 at 2016 10:32 PM

SPC Brad Pratt — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 22:32:03 -0500

Pistol Range: targets pop up & a gopher scurries across the back berm. Not one target falls. The entire berm is lit up. Trying to turn hunters into grunts, I guess.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 11:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 23:25:59 -0500

Not an excuse but at infantry osut in 2004 we had a Mexican kid who didn't speak much English. Trying to zero he wasn't even on paper. The DS's were baffled that even after switching rifles same issue. About 300 rounds into the DS realized he was shooting with his eyes closed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 12:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:01:04 -0500

The fire distracted me.... Really there was a fire.... A few times ( night fire with tracers) luckily we are an ammo unit and had firefighters at the range who had their buddies there with the trucks quickly.... Needless to say shortly after that the post commander would not approve any ranges with night fire....

Response by SPC George Long made Jan 18 at 2016 12:46 AM

SPC George Long — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:46:45 -0500

At basic training at FT Bragg the first time we went to the zero range, we had M-14's at the time , the soldier next to me could not hit anything. When the Drill Sgt. asked him to explain his problem he stated..." I ain't never shot at anything but deer. The paper target you got here don't act like a deer".

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Jan 18 at 2016 12:51 AM

Cpl Rc Layne — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:51:55 -0500

I feel faint. From a male recruit.

Response by SPC Matt Davidson made Jan 18 at 2016 1:32 AM

SPC Matt Davidson — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 01:32:56 -0500

not just privates screwing up at the range. at my last unit we had officers that routinely had negligent discharges, one of whom almost blew a SFC's head off.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 11:40 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:40:43 -0500

don't know if I would call it an excuse, the entire company ran out of water about half way through the range, I got severely dehydrated, literally saw 2 50 meter targets, yeah, I woke up in the clinic with an IV in each arm...

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 18 at 2016 11:47 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:47:20 -0500

When the best answer comes up, please let me know. People snicker when I shoot at the range. Could be why I joined the Navy, prescience. I can hit something with a .45 by throwing it at a target, better than shooting it at a target.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 4:11 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:11:12 -0500

Most of the time they'll blame it on the weapon. I've had people say the trigger isn't working and it will be because of two things: not turning the safety off or not pulling the trigger back all the way. Also, they'll claim to know so much about guns but not realize something is wrong with the trigger when the trigger spring breaks. Ask if they're supposed to switch eyes when switching hands. Not shooting with their dominate eye at all. They'll shoot with their weak hand the whole time then tell you that they typically shoot with the other hand. I can go on and on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2016 12:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 12:19:06 -0500

Soldier coming off firing line to get lane score(Soldier shot a 11): "my weapon is broke"
Range OIC(myself): "what's wrong with it"
Soldier: I had a malfunction
Range OIC: did you perform SPORTS?
Soldier: what's SPORTS? I tried to correct it and by the time I did 7 targets had come up and gone down.
Range OIC: did you do PMI with your unit?
Soldier: what's PMI?
Range OIC(blood pressure slowly rising due to attitude slowly growing from Soldier): where is you Squad/Team Leader?
Soldier(goes to get Squad Leader)....
Range OIC to Squad Leader: did you give PMI classes to your Soldiers?
Squad Leader: no we didn't have time. Soldier deserves a alibi..
Range OIC: and why does Soldier deserve a alibi?
Squad Leader: Soldier had a malfunction.
Range OIC: go get you 1SG.
1SG: what's the problem?
Range OIC to 1SG: explained all the above.
1SG: we'll be back later.

3 hrs later. Soldier, Squad Leader, PSG, and 1SG return. Apologizes to Range OIC from Soldier to Range OIC for attitude. Soldier shoots 39 out of 40. Soldier is now mad because won't be qualified Expert due to fact of refire cops another attitude in front of ALL.
Range OIC: walks away SMH and laughing while listening to 1SG handling situation.

Sorry folks. I can't make this shit up....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2016 11:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:38:31 -0500

Not specific to a firing range, but I was running a recruiting event in Louisville a few years ago. A teenager came up to me and, completely serious, asked me what video games he should be playing to help prepare him for actual military service.

Response by CPL Lloyd Harkins made Nov 29 at 2017 4:34 PM

CPL Lloyd Harkins — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:34:04 -0500

On a 60 range, I heard a PFC say "The different colors on the rounds are causing them to fly differently"

Response by MSgt Todd Mayhew made Nov 29 at 2017 4:36 PM

MSgt Todd Mayhew — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:36:23 -0500

Closing the wrong eye to see through peep sight

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 5:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:12:29 -0500

I was retrain NCO for a qual range shooting paper targets. Soldier zeroed just fine, figured she should be able to qualify the same. She bolo'd the first time, with like an 18, so I spent some time doing retraining. She got back in line, fired, bolo'd again with a 6. I was shocked. "I don't know, Sergeant. I just can't hit the targets". I look at her weapon, and puzzled, I ask her, "Didn't you have an M68 on your weapon an hour ago?". "Yes SGT, I borrowed SSG So and So's ACOG this time. He qualified already and told me it's way better than a CCO."

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 1:51 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 13:51:58 -0500

This story is about what happened to me at basic training then at my duty station.

At basic, I found out the hard way that I am right handed but left eye dominant. So I am a left handed at firing as well. The first time I go to qualify I fail by maybe 5 shots. My drill tells me what I am doing wrong so I try again. Same thing. Hitting far targets missing closer ones. So the senior drill pulls me aside and asked if I wore glasses, I said yes, but I was told I couldn’t bring them with me because the frames. He told b.s. when we get back to the barracks call whoever has them to ship over night. So I had them for the next time the ones that failed go out for requal. Got my glasses, went to the requal range and was so freaking nervous I started holding my breath and shaking. My drill stood behind me the entire time yelling at because that’s what got me to refocus and to qualify.

My other problem came when I was station at Fort Riley. It’s in the middle of the winter. We just did the prone and foxhole parts of the qualifying and getting ready to put on my gas mask to do the final part when this SSG comes around and puts some type of oil on my loading chamber and it freezes up. I can’t open up the chamber nothing, I raise my hand to get someone’s attention then they announce commence firing. So I step back with my hand up weapon pointed down range and very pissed off. Finally another NCO comes over I told them what the other one had done and so he walked me back to the warming tent had to strip my weapon down and get whatever crap that NCO put on it and get me back out on the range to finish gas mask firing. After that he went and found that NCO and asked him did she give you permission to put that stuff on her weapon, when he replied no, he was banned from ever returning from that range. The armory SPC had to make sure that there wasn’t any damage done when I got back to our unit too. Had spent 3 hours cleaning that weapon that evening.

Never again after that...