FORMER U.S. MARINES and the M! GARAND

[Hotplate2]

1976 to 1980, 7051 Aircraft Crash Rescue. MCAS Beaufort, SC. Harrier nightmare during my term. The old AV8A's. When the Harriers were in the air we were on our toes.
Every Thursday am at PI we could check out an M16A1 and fire a match. Due to the economy tanking in 78 it was decided to cut back on giving out the ammo. It relegated us to firing pistol matches with the Government issue Ruger 22's at MCAS Beaufort.
I cannot understand the hoopla about rifles with USMC lineage. As far as I'm concerned all rifles that pass through my hands have a Marine Corp lineage!
Work hard, Play hard. Semper Fi! Brothers!

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[Joe W]

Another sign of the times. In the mid 1950s, the M1 rifle that was issued in boot camp went with the Marine to ITR and then to his next duty station. The rifle stayed in the Marines custody at all times, it was never turned in to an armory. Most Marines kept there M1 in there wall locker along with uniforms and other clothing. There were rifle racks in the barracks but they had no locks so very few rifles were stored in them. Even when going on liberty or leave the rifle stayed in the wall locker. In the 3 years I spent in the Marines I never heard of an M1 rifle being stolen. It may have happened but it was few and far between, and I never heard of a single incident. Packs with bayonet attached, also were strapped to the foot of our bunk and these too, never disappeared. Someone know when this practice came to an end and rifles started to be locked up in an armory when not in use ?? Semper Fi, Joe