13 Mar 03

From a friend with the 101 ABN. Gun phobia continues on the front lines:

"I have now been here in Kuwait for two weeks, and not once have any of us been allowed to insert a magazine (much less chamber a round) in any of our weapons! We have all been graciously issued a small amount of ammunition (for immediate self defense, we're told) but we're prohibited from getting it anywhere near our weapons! Even senior officers are not allowed to have ammunition in their weapons. I use rubber bands to attach a magazine to my rifle. At least it is with the weapon and will be available quickly if needed. Of course, even that practice is frowned upon, but I do my best to make sure no one notices.

Sand blowing into empty magazine wells is also a big issue. We're told to keep the dust cover closed, but not to put a magazine in the weapon, even an empty one. It makes no sense, of course, but I, for one, am not willing to tape my magazine well shut."

Comment: If the training these guys have received is so great, why are they not allowed to be armed as front-line soldiers should be? Do we expect to be able to make an appointment for an emergency?

In spite of this universal "empty gun" policy, there have still be a number of injuries caused by negligent discharges in Army units, as well as with the Marines. So, with all these empty guns, accidents are still happening! One can only wonder if there would be any more accidents than there are already if all soldiers were trained, and expected, to carry and maintain loaded weapons all the time, and did so as a routine.

Not all dithering fools are confined to the UN!

/John