Sidearm in the military

[Lashlarue]

I was in the USAF and qualified with a M2 carbine, when I got to Korea they didn't have enough M2's so we were assigned Colt 1911's, WWII vintage and Thompsons as they were overstocked with them.Having never fired either, I asked when we would be qualified.1st Sarge hand me one of each and two two boxes of 45 reloaded ammo.asked if knew where the range was, I told him yes. Then go teach yourself.The 1911 rattled and never hit the 1000" target. The Thompson was a blast had one 30 round stick magazine, which I filled three times, found shooting it side ways would put a small percentage on the target. Full auto all the way!We didn't get to keep our weapons with us they stayed in the storage locker.They trusted us with gas masks and helmuts, oh I almost forgot, nuclear warheads.Here's one of two I painted ,as I had been painting 57 Chevvies at the Fisher-Body plant in Norwood and volunteered to do the job, got to pick two buddies to sand and mask for me.

 

[41mag10mm]

The "T" stands for Top, as in Master Sergeant of Marines
Now get your slimy nasty looker-balls off this screen and PUUUUUUUSSSHHH!!!!!

Hey BIG_T! My son is a Lance Corporal, been in a little over a year. Currently at ECM school Whidbey Naval Air Station. The proudest day of my life was watching him graduate May 8th, 2009 Parris Island.

 

[drail]

Whatever they're paying Drill Instructors these days, it ain't enough. Try to imagine the kind of questions they get from the new guys. "Drill Sargeant, may I use my pillow I brought from home?" Lashlarue, you should have painted flames on that ordnance. Or the fistfull of lightning from the SAC patch. Very nice paint job given the conditions you had.

 

[NavyLT]

Whatever they're paying Drill Instructors these days, it ain't enough. Try to imagine the kind of questions they get from the new guys.

It used to be the most common question asked was, "What did you hit me for this time!"

 

[earlthegoat2]

If anyone is wondering why I would do 4 years of college then decide to go into the military I really cant tell you, I am kind of wondering that myself

Did it myself. Never felt the need to go to OCS though. Assessment, selection, and indoctrination courses were enough.

 

[glenncal1]

Cool Hand-please don't feel you need to justify wanting to serve your country. Thank god for you and men and women like you. I have my Great Grandfather's Civil War knife, pictures of my grandfather in both his WW1 and WW2 uniforms, my dad's Navy ID. I couldn't serve due to medical issues and have always regretted it. Follow your heart.

 

[Lashlarue]

The paint scheme on the Matador wasn't my idea. They came from the factory in camoflage. I would have loved to have done them WWII style, but the OIC and I didn't see eye to eye on much.I volunteered for the job trying to get on his good side, found out, he didn't have one.

 

[firespectrum]

You CANNOT take your personal weapon to carry. People who say they did are probably old-timers. I have lots of respect for you gentlemen, but it's a different military now. The only semi-exception might be if you are in some kind of SOF unit. When I deployed with Army Special Forces (no, I'm not SF but they need computer geeks too ) I had an M4 and my choice of either an M9 or an OLD 1911. (I went 1911 btw) The armory had all kinds of fun non-standard issue stuff like MP5's, AK's, and things I couldn't recognize. BUT these toys were strictly for the team guys (actual SF) and I'm pretty sure they still had to choose from what was in the armory. So, if you end up under MARSOC you might have some interesting choices depending on your job, but I'd bet the farm your personal weapon is saying at home.

 

[Richard b]

I think current USMC policy is If you are below the rank of colonel you will receive a 5.56 carbine or rifle for personal use. There are probably always exceptions but not for 2nd Lts.

 

[eagleninezero]

Good thread. I believe that your first question has been answered ('here's your gun, soldier - learn to love it').

As for the 4 years of college and then going into the military, I did just that. My reason (and some people, to this day, cannot believe this reason) was to serve my country. Did I have other opportunites? Of course. However, at the end of my life, I wanted to be able look back and say I did something selfless and put my a$$ on the line for something I believed in.

I went through OTS and served 7 years. And, yes, it was a weed-out program (we started with 130 and commisioned 80). I got out of the service due to disability, but I got an MBA and MS (while on on active duty) and landed a great job. My life in the military was great and I don't regret a minute of it.

 

[Dwight55]

In RVN, '66, I bought my first handgun, . . . an old worn out Colt 1911, . . . probably from WW2, . . . $50.

No one ever gave me any headache about it, . . . just had to leave it in the armory with my M3 (also personally owned) and my M1 and later on my M14.

We were also allowed personal weapons aboard ship, . . . but again, . . . they stayed in the small arms locker unless we were doing some sort of weapon training.

I served with a draftee E-6 who was and infantry instructor for the ARVN's, . . . and he had the prettiest Ruger .357 single action you ever saw. He carried it everywhere he went, . . . but again that was 1966.

May God bless,
Dwight

 

[James K]

I get a bit tired of reading how someone carried his own weapon in WWII, or Korea, or Vietnam. A lot of those stories are just that. One fellow claimed his uncle carried his own pistol on D-Day - a Glock.

Some are true. Many WWII officers carried personal weapons, and many GI's carried and used captured weapons. (And some got shot at by both sides!)

But new times, new rules. Today, it is verboten to carry a personal weapon in combat. I am sure someone knows of some cousin, brother, uncle, aunt, or pet chimp who did so, but it is not legal. Even if you get the weapon over there, you will NOT be able to bring it back; the shakedowns are a lot more intensive than during WWII or Vietnam and "capture guns" cannot be retained by the soldier.

Want to try smuggling weapons back? A full bird went to jail for doing that, so I suspect a lowly EM wouldn't stand a chance.

Yes, I know they have relaxed the policy with regard to antique or C&R weapons purchased on the market in some countries. But best double check before tucking one away or mailing it home. I have been reliably informed that military prison isn't a lot better than the regular kind.

Jim

 

[leadcounsel]

To answer the OPs questions, NO you cannot use your personal firearms for official business.

If anyone is wondering why I would do 4 years of college then decide to go into the military I really cant tell you, I am kind of wondering that myself

Try doing 4 years of college PLUS 3 years of lawschool and then joining the military. AND loving every minute of it. Yesterday I blasted off 500 rounds of full auto from the 240B (belt fed .308) and 249 SAW (belt fed 5.56) and my full auto M4. Today I blasted off 400 rounds from the M2 .50cal and 120 rounds of full auto from my M4 after zeroing and qualifying sharpshooter with my M4.

In the last 3 years I've deployed to Iraq twice, which were both fantastic experiences and among the best and most proud moments of my life (also some very hard and dark times, I will add). I've parachuted and rappelled out of many aircraft. I've fired thousands of rounds from miniguns and other full auto SMGs, rifles and crew served weapons, and thrown some hand grenades. It's been a wild ride...

Yes, to be an officer you need at least a college degree.

It's an amazingly rewarding and challenging career.

YMMV!

 

[Ben Towe]

Cool pics. We've got a great military but they have some crazy rules. I talk to a buddy over in Iraq almost every day (gotta love BlackBerry Messenger) and he tells me about what they do day to day, when he can, and their rules. Some of it is silly.

 

[Lavid2002]

4 years of college followed by enlisting=odd and kinda dumb

4 years of college followed by enrolling as an officer=Good Idea. Im doing it

 

[Cool_Hand]

As for the 4 years of college and then going into the military, I did just that. My reason (and some people, to this day, cannot believe this reason) was to serve my country. Did I have other opportunities? Of course. However, at the end of my life, I wanted to be able look back and say I did something selfless and put my a$$ on the line for something I believed in.

My reasons exactly. Allot of people are telling me I am crazy and that I wasted my money for doing 4 years of college only to go into the military, but it is something I want to do and will regret it my whole life if I dont. Also as leadcounsel mentioned I wouldn't mind handling some high powered weaponry

 

[Lavid2002]

People have no idea what OCS is and the opportunity it gives to college graduates. Someone who has been through college and has gone through OCS and has served a tour, can do practically ANYTHING. You would be hard strung to find a career you couldn't pursue with qualifications like that.

Not to mention how well it shapes your moral character....

You will be fit
polite
a leader
educated
and VERY qualified...

 

[JohnH1963]

This is how the law of war works. You can shoot a human being with a 50 caliber machine gun, the main gun from the M1 tank, the Hellfire missile (which was originally designed to put large holes in T72 tanks), the TOW missile (another anti-tank missile) and a 155 mm howitzer from the AC130...however, you cannot use your own .38 Special revolver to defend yourself should the M4 jam (which it will) in combat.

It is simply inhumane to kill people during wartime with unauthorized weapons. You can blow a man to several pieces with the Hellfire or 155mm, but do not under any circumstances start loading those hollowpoint Corbons into your rifle or, god forbid, use that revolver that daddy gave you. Oh and using tear gas is also inhumane.

They will soon be fielding the 30mm Bushmaster on certain applications and so you will get even a larger weapon then the 25 mm Bushmaster. The 25 mm didnt quite blow the bodyparts all over the place like the 30mm will.

Doesnt make any sense? Well, thats the military. Nothing seems to make sense and thats the kind of logic that you will constantly be up against. Havent won a war since World War II and my guess is that it will continue that way until things start to make sense again which will be not in my lifetime.

 

[45ACPShooter]

but I was wondering if you can carry your own sidearm or backup in the military?

No you can't bring any of your personally owned weapons (POWs) with you when you deploy. I can't speak for the other services but I can for the Army, you might get issued an M9 if you're a platoon sergeant, platoon leader, commander, and first sergeant, but other than that probably not.

If anyone is wondering why I would do 4 years of college then decide to go into the military I really cant tell you, I am kind of wondering that myself

I can only speak for the enlisted side of the Army but having spent 4 years in the Army and deployed to Iraq for a year I can tell you that you should do a lot of research. Almost every person I know who came from college and enlisted regrets it and wishes they either hadn't joined or had gone to OCS.

There's a reason they make you sign a contract making it illegal for you to quit whenever you want.

 

[Lost Sheep]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

When I returned from Asia in 1976, I tried to ship nunchaku in my baggage. No go. Against the rules.

The funny thing is, they were not locally made. I bought them mail order. From a mail order house in New York. City. I had the original packaging and receipt, too, for proof they came from the States. They were for practice. They were made of foam rubber with a 1/4" lightweight wood dowel in the center.

Some rules make sense. Some rule enforcers don't. The over-enforcement or under-enforcement is a crap shoot. I had, like, $12 at risk. A treasured personal firearm would be tough to lose to either the vagaries of war or the officious arbiters of military regulations.

Your (issue) duty weapon will be well-maintained (you will be primarily responsible, with an armorer to back you up). A privately-owned weapon will not. Ammunition will be less a problem is it is an issue chambering.

A few years ago, many of our fighting forces had body armor and even vehicle armor provided to them from family members, friends and volunteer organizations because the services didn't. Fortunately, that situation is better now. But at the time, I am sure the local commanders, being practical, approved of the non-General Issue gear (some manufactured on site). I served in Civil Engineers, including a RED HORSE Squadron. Expedient methods of construction is second nature to me, and our shops people were always up for it. But that was born of necessity.

As has been pointed out before, today's war zone is different than WWII, Korea, Viet Nam. But if you have your commander's blessing, you are golden. But I wouldn't risk a personal firearm on the chances of getting an amenable C.O. And even then, you are putting both your military careers at risk, using non-approved weaponry. What you can get away with, with luck and stealth is not necessarily a good idea.

Better to become proficient with your issue weapon(s). I had no respect at all for the M-16 until I lived with one for a while.

Kudos to you for electing to serve.

Lost Sheep