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Contributing Member
The gun club that I work as an RO opened last Monday, I work last Friday. It was interesting to have to wear a mask for 9 hours. Mostly regulars came out, but a few new shooters/members. I FLEW out of my watch post when I saw this young man with an AR holing it sideways with the muzzle pointing in the general direction of the shooters to his left. I calmly asked him to keep the muzzle of his rifle pointed downrange at all times. I didn't want to spook the young fella and chance him launching a round.
Other than that and a few lizards it was a 'New Normal' range day
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
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05-18-2020 11:12 AM
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A "once and never again mistake", if the guy is smart. If he's dumb, he'll do it again and will have to be thrown out. But I have always been of the opinion that barking at people from the very beginning is not a good way to make them safer and better. A firm, professional and polite approach are way better. But once is enough.
I had very good results also with my Alpini. The only really dangerous situation we had, and we were in the AMF-L, so we really practiced and exercised a lot, also at the range, making live-fire assaults etc, has been when our Colonel (Regimental Co.), Lieutenant-Colonel (Battalion Co.) and Captain (Company Co.) were there and started sh*itting one of my dumbest soldiers because he was fumbling with the safety while trying to cover the others from prone. A guy who was less than smart, in my opinion at the verge of a handicap. He got so upset that, when it was his turn to run ahead, he did so with the trigger finger on the trigger and the selector on full auto, stumbled and let loose a burst of 5.56 in the dirt and rocks in front of him. I still remember hearing 4 or 5 "zips" close to my right ear. All the high brass were immediately on the ground, and I went to the guy and took him the rifle, fully expecting what came next. He got kicked in the butt and insulted in a bloody way, got weeks of punishment, which was ok considering the mess he made, but the reason for that mess was the same brass kicking him, so that did not feel right at all.
I'm really starving myself for a normal range day now... Maybe I'll take half a day off for that. While on Friday, I'll take the whole day and ride my Guzzi in the mountains.
34a cp., btg. Susa, 3° rgt. Alpini
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Contributing Member
Originally Posted by
Ovidio
But I have always been of the opinion that barking at people from the very beginning is not a good way to make them safer and better. A firm, professional and polite approach are way better.
I've never been one to use an aggressive voice or demeanor or even while in the Military at the range unless provoked, which usually is due to a person refusing to comply with the rules or is being expelled, like you, I believe "professional and polite approach are way better" and much safer for everyone in the vicinity.
Originally Posted by
Ovidio
when it was his turn to run ahead, he did so with the trigger finger on the trigger and the selector on full auto, stumbled and let loose a burst of 5.56 in the dirt and rocks in front of him.
In the SEABEE's we had a Marine Corp's Gunny who handled out training, (don't know if this is still true today) while out on our M16A1 300-yard qualifications with the M16A1 had his finger blown off while adjusting elevation on one of the newer guys M16. The rifle was not on safe and the shooter had his finger on the trigger. The gunny failed as well as the shooter in this case. It was a messy day, qualifications continued for everyone except the Gunny and Shooter.
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
usabaker
It was a messy day, qualifications continued for everyone except the Gunny and Shooter.
This shows the differences in systems. Ours would have shut down and the area cordoned off, all witnesses sequestered until ammo wing, training safety and range control all finished their investigations and paperwork. That's in the book...
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This shows the differences in systems. Ours would have shut down and the area cordoned off, all witnesses sequestered until ammo wing, training safety and range control all finished their investigations and paperwork.
This was in 1979 (post-Vietnam) as I recall, things were a lot different back then. There was an accident report to be sure, but it was really cut-and-dry as to what happened. I'm sure nowadays it would be an all stop, 10 day investigation, Offers of traumatic counseling for those that witnessed or heard about it, and the command getting sued by the person who made the mistake.
---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 PM ----------
Oh and Mothers writing the commanding officer complaining about the dangerous environment they are putting their kids in for no reason.
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
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Originally Posted by
usabaker
had his finger blown off
Purple Heart ?
Charlie-Painter777
A Country Has No Greater Responsibility Than To Care For Those Who Served...
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Contributing Member
Originally Posted by
painter777
Purple Heart ?
LOL... More like red-faced on his return to the command.
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
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Advisory Panel
Originally Posted by
usabaker
This was in 1979
Yes, still different than our system for sure. I was around running small arms ranges then too and still WE would have had hoops to jump.
Yes, you guys would have had a different thing then, all the recent wartime experiences at hand.
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Legacy Member
This one is a little different: On the grenade range; Ft. Knox early 70's. On the throwing line there were 6x6 concrete boxes with 3 foot high walls. When it was your turn to throw you were accompanied by a DI. When this guy next to me pulled the pin the top/safety came off, The DI jumped the wall and left the guy holding the grenade. For what ever reason the guy leaned forward and dropped the grenade over the wall. They said it blew up before it hit the ground. Very lucky guy. The DI never returned...
M1a1's-R-FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TSMG's-R-MORE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ENJOY LIFE AND HAVE FUN!!!
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Grenades have always been a scary thing in the hands of less than smart guys...
34a cp., btg. Susa, 3° rgt. Alpini
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