Rifle

[MaritimeGirl11]

What types of rifles does the service academies use for drill, and do you know what type they use for the rifling teams? My dad just wanted to know.

Hope everyones having a nice summer!

 

[futurewarrior]

I think USMA uses M-14's for drill, not sure about anything else.

 

[ChipAyten]

non firing M14's

 

[futurewarrior]

Lame.

 

[ChipAyten]

Lame.

Yeah I guess using a locked and loaded m14 would be less "lame" Eespecially when you twirl it around, slip and shoot yourself in the chin

 

[futurewarrior]

Who said it had to be loaded? If it can never shoot, its basiclly a toy gun, thats all.

 

[USNA69]

Who said it had to be loaded? If it can never shoot, its basiclly a toy gun, thats all.

Yep, and in the environment that a drill team or color guard operates, travelling and all, a welded solid barrel, all machosim aside, is a positive thing.

 

[ChipAyten]

Who said it had to be loaded? If it can never shoot, its basiclly a toy gun, thats all.

Their not toys, they were once fully operational and probably fired m14's whose barrels are now drilled and sealed

 

[Zaphod]

USNA uses demilitarized M14's. Back in my day we used demilitarized M1 Garands.

USxA is not a combat posting. As such, there is no need for functioning weapons to be present in the hands of Midshipmen/Cadets. Additionally, the only means available to secure these weapons is a cable lock in the Mid/Cadet's room, which is totally unsuitable for a real weapon. Also, having 4,000+ real weapons so flimsily secured would make USxA a prime target for theivery of items we'd rather not see stolen. Finally, "they aren't loaded" cannot be guaranteed when some stupid kid decides to go buy a box of .308 Winchester and get a magazine from CTD.com, then load the puppy up.

Now, one can argue that a military establishment should allow it's troops to be properly armed, and that may be a debate that needs to be held, but the reasons why the current situation exists are as mentioned above.

 

[futurewarrior]

Well, now that my machosim has effectively been stifled (sniff), I have two sorta on-topic questions.

1. What about the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? They carry M-14's, but they aren't loaded, right? So...not that they would shoot someone, but what would they do if someone tried to "desecrate the Tomb" by jumping the rope? Break off their routine and tackle 'em?

2. About security on bases: I've only been to a few Army bases, but none of them have MP's posted at the main gates. They have contract security guards or something. Why is that? Do only the bigger bases have active duty MP's pulling gate security?

 

[BR2011]

1. they might, lol. when i was there last summer the crowd got a little loud and the soldier turned to us and told everyone to shut up. maybe they have procedure for someone dashing toward the tomb

 

[USNA69]

2. About security on bases: I've only been to a few Army bases, but none of them have MP's posted at the main gates. They have contract security guards or something. Why is that? Do only the bigger bases have active duty MP's pulling gate security?

Well, a while back, at least for Navy, if I told you then I would have to kill you, but I don't think that is true anymore.

 

[ChipAyten]

As for the sentinels the main difference is that they are regular army, not cadets. And as honor guards they fire off 21 gun salutes at funerals. Plus they look totally snazzy in their uniforms

 

[Zaphod]

1. What about the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? They carry M-14's, but they aren't loaded, right? So...not that they would shoot someone, but what would they do if someone tried to "desecrate the Tomb" by jumping the rope? Break off their routine and tackle 'em?

Trust me, you DON'T want to be the one to find out.

2. About security on bases: I've only been to a few Army bases, but none of them have MP's posted at the main gates. They have contract security guards or something. Why is that? Do only the bigger bases have active duty MP's pulling gate security?

Was this pre- or post-9/11? Things may have changed.

 

[USNA69]

USxA is not a combat posting. As such, there is no need for functioning weapons to be present in the hands of Midshipmen/Cadets. Additionally, the only means available to secure these weapons is a cable lock in the Mid/Cadet's room, which is totally unsuitable for a real weapon.

Do they weld the barrels closed for all the mid's weapons now? When I was there, the M-1s were fully operational except for the firing pin being removed. I made a firing pin for mine once just in case Annapolis experienced an actual rendition of The Russians Are Coming.

 

[Luigi59]

What about the Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? They carry M-14's, but they aren't loaded, right? So...not that they would shoot someone, but what would they do if someone tried to "desecrate the Tomb" by jumping the rope? Break off their routine and tackle 'em?

Answer from Tom Sherlock, Arlington National Cemetery Historian:

"Are the rifles loaded that the soldiers carry while guarding the Tomb? And has there ever been any threats or demonstrations or vandalism in the cemetary? Perhaps during the 60s and 70s or recently?"

Tom Sherlock: The rifles carried at the Tomb are not loaded. Individuals who visit the Tomb act very respectfully. Vandalism, I am happy to say, is non-existant in this national shrine.

 

[Zaphod]

Do they weld the barrels closed for all the mid's weapons now? When I was there, the M-1s were fully operational except for the firing pin being removed.

I don't know what means were used to decom the current M14's, but in my day the chambers had been hit with a blowtorch and the barrels were filled with (we were told) lead. Actions and triggers still worked, though.

I suspect similar steps were taken with the M14's. Perhaps another to prevent a magazine from being loaded.

It's heresy to destroy such beautiful old wardogs.

 

[Zaphod]

Tom Sherlock: The rifles carried at the Tomb are not loaded. Individuals who visit the Tomb act very respectfully. Vandalism, I am happy to say, is non-existant in this national shrine.

What he DOESN'T add: "Because the ass-whipping the perpetrator would get is well-known and acts as a wonderful deterrent."

 

[USNA69]

It's heresy to destroy such beautiful old wardogs.

Yep.

 

[ChipAyten]

I don't know what means were used to decom the current M14's, but in my day the chambers had been hit with a blowtorch and the barrels were filled with (we were told) lead. Actions and triggers still worked, though.

I suspect similar steps were taken with the M14's. Perhaps another to prevent a magazine from being loaded.

It's heresy to destroy such beautiful old wardogs.

Totally, by the time I retire there will hardly be any 14's left. could you imagine an honor guard walking around with one of those xm8's? they look like they came out of some futuristic video game. Not only was the 14 one of the most accurate and powerful assault rifles in its day but the best looking. Kinda applies to most things in the military though, the P51 was one sexy looking plane. And now even blackhawks, humvees, b52's all these bueaties are gonna be gone in the next few years.