Field Training Firing Range Weapons

afrotcdad

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
Messages
3
Can anyone advise what weapons are used on the range at Air Force summer field training?

I'd like to get my son introduced to those weapons, or something similar, before he goes (pretty sure they won't be firing shotguns).
 
Can anyone advise what weapons are used on the range at Air Force summer field training?

I'd like to get my son introduced to those weapons, or something similar, before he goes (pretty sure they won't be firing shotguns).

The M9 and M16 are the firearms used at FT. Civilian equivalents are the Beretta 92FS and Colt AR15.
 
Yep. Standard pistol and assault rifle of the US military.
 
Getting introduced to the weapons is a neat thing.

If I may, I would suggest you consider providing some basic marksmanship training along with it. Hitting what you are aiming at is a heck of a lot more fun than just throwing lead out.

Basic marksmanship - site picture, trigger control, etc apply to any handheld weapon you may have the occasion to fire.
 
afrotcdad,

That is a very smart thing to do especially this yr., when they are saying that out of the 2200 going they are predicting 1700 to get a POC slot ....RUMOR mill on other threads.

Either way it is still wise because their marksmanship score will be part of their ranking for SFT and every aspect counts. The higher his ranking, the more comfortable he will feel for his AFSC OML next yr. A few points can be the make or break from top 1/3 to middle 1/3rd. He will want that higher ranking next yr.
 
Its been a few years since I was at FT Pima but I don't remember marksmanship scores having anything to do with ranking. For us it was more of a simple familiarization with the M9/M16. We had the opportunity to qualify expert with the M9 but none of the cadre at FT or the Det cared about the results of that.

All that being said, to the OP I would recommend making sure your son at least knows how to be safe with firearms. In every group that goes to the CATM range, there is inevitably the one guy/gal who can't seem to keep the muzzle of their weapon pointed downrange. But as far as going out and spending money on getting experience with those specific weapons, its not essential. They don't expect anyone to be a marksman.

Good luck!
 
You are probably correct. I made an assumption because I recall DS saying he got expert qualified at SFT when he came back. My thought was that the qualification played into the equation of ranking. I still stand by that, because let's be honest they have to use everything available to them when they rack and stack them out of SFT. If 5 cadets have the same test scores, PFA, etc. than they have to come down to the finer points, such as markmanship to rank those 5 in order.

OBTW, The boy never shot a gun in his life prior to this, but he does have great eye hand coordination.
 
You are probably correct. I made an assumption because I recall DS saying he got expert qualified at SFT when he came back. My thought was that the qualification played into the equation of ranking. I still stand by that, because let's be honest they have to use everything available to them when they rack and stack them out of SFT. If 5 cadets have the same test scores, PFA, etc. than they have to come down to the finer points, such as markmanship to rank those 5 in order.

OBTW, The boy never shot a gun in his life prior to this, but he does have great eye hand coordination.

I know little of AF and certainly don't expect marksmanship is very important in the end. Nevertheless I'm confident that you're correct Pima. In order to rack and stack everything that is quantifiable will be quantified and used in the process.
 
kinnem,

That is my point...especially this yr. Little things matter.

In 9 months from now many of these 200's will be up for AFSC rated. At that time your cgpa is not going to move a lot (jr yr in college, 5 semesters...you really have to hit out the ballpark to move it 0.10 for a cgpa).

Meanwhile that SFT which is worth a chunk of change will matter.

Back when nick and our DS went it was DG, top 1%, 10%, 20, 30, 50, bottom 50. Now it has changed, from recollection it still DG, 1%, 10%, 20%, but than it goes 1/3rd, 2/3rd, bottom 1/3rd.

Nobody wants to read it, but the fact is there will be a bottom 1/3rd. Don't give them a reason to be in that bottom.

JMPHO, use your time wisely between coming home and going to SFT. ESPECIALLY if you are Max 4,5, or 6. 1 and 2 they get it. School ended and your arse was on a plane within days or a few weeks. Max 6, and you had 6 weeks to prepare, different story. No excuse for PT or academics.
 
Can anyone advise what weapons are used on the range at Air Force summer field training?

I'd like to get my son introduced to those weapons, or something similar, before he goes (pretty sure they won't be firing shotguns).

Well, it's the AF so I'd assume staplers and water balloons.
 
Well, it's the AF so I'd assume staplers and water balloons.

And you would be incorrect. EVERYONE knows the weapons of choice for the AF on the range is the driver, 3 Iron, 5 Iron, 9 Iron.

The OP only mentioned the range portion, but I would also recommend getting on the chipping area and practice green. Remember, you drive for show but putt for dough! :thumb:
 
LOL

It never ceases to amaze me what can be learned from this forum.

Am I correct in assuming that "home on the range" has different meanings to different branches of the military?
 
Back
Top