Sidearm in the military

Isn't it amazing how people are still surprised the military has rules! That's pretty much what the military has always been about: rules. It gets a little easier the longer you're in but only because you're familiar with the rules. Yes, they've always had shake-down inspections, too. I had a pocket knife confiscated when I went to basic. Blade was too long. I never had another pocket knife while I was in the army. I managed. Even now I manage without virtually all the time.

Some people going into the military are also a little let down when they learn who the other people are they will be serving with. But that's another story.

There is also an idea that you need more stuff than they issue, or that what is issued isn't good enough. Sometimes there are handy things that aren't issued, and the harder they are to get, they handier they seem to be. For instance, one of the things my son requested when he was in Iraq was canned air and that was the only thing we couldn't send. He also asked for certain cleaning items for weapons, yet he came back with about three complete sets of weapon cleaning gear, including one of those neat little kits that comes in a round zip top case like you might keep a fishing reel in. Just like you can buy from L.L.Bean but this one had belt clips on the back and a label somewhere with the F.S.N., so it was clearly issue. Those flexible cleaning rods are just the thing, too.
 
The standard sidearm of the U.S. military is the M9 (Beretta 92FS). You don't need to worry about the gun it will do just fine. I carry one at work as a Dept. of the Army Civilian Police Officer. The only complaint many of us have is that we can not carry hollow point ammo. The Marines will give you what they believe you will need for whatever mission you are assigned.
 
I've always wondered what the military's reasoning behind prohibiting privately owned weapons in combat. I'm not even sure it is technically prohibited by regulation. If anyone knows of an Army (or any other department) reg that addresses the issue I'd like to know it for future reference. All I know is we are told we can't. I've been told that if a privately owned weapon is used to kill someone in combat it could be considered murder sinve the weapon was not issued (I think that is rediculous and is probably untrue). I've also been told that if you use a weapon you are not qualified with you can be subject to UCMJ punishment (also seems rediculous).
 
Been a long time...

But when I was in the Navy all personal firearms where in the armory while I lived on base. Never carried a weapon so no need to have a weapon to want to carry.

Did stand guard with a weapon once or twice but you checked the weapon out of the armory and when done standing post checked it back in. In my case the M60 was in the place I was to stand guard so we just relieved the people standing by the M60.

Stationed on an island (Guam) hundreds of miles from anywhere during peace time. We can see every vessel (air or sea) in every direction for over a hundred miles. But they one day decided we needed to post guards. In case we where attacked. Kadafi in Libya was screwing around and causing problem. So now I have to stand a post. One of those moments...

Hey, its your degree. You'll still have it when you've done your service. Nobody can take it from you.
 
Navy LT no disrespect but i would rather have a sister in a whore house than a bother in the Navy LOL. That what my Sr. Gunny told me one day. Marines are a special breed. Since they retired the battle wagons they Navy does not have bigger guns than the Corp. Also every Marine no matter if a cook, pilot or what ever has been to infantry school. EVERY Marine is a rifleman and damn good ones at that. Semper Fi
 
M9 is a pretty good pistol I wouldn't worry about it.
My understanding is the USMC has gotten really into equipment standardization. I guess which pockets/attachment points you put things on is now very highly regulated.
A few years ago when the SDM rifles were in short supply it seems some units were being allowed to bring personal rifles on a limited basis. With some of them having to be left in theater. I don't know for sure. As supply of marksman rifles caught up this seems to have seized.

Advice on going to OCS:
First get in contact with an OSO as fast as you can. Things are a little screwed up right now. With the economy in the ****ter lots of people are trying to go to OCS and lots more officer are re-signing (not resigning) instead of getting out. Many of the slots for the June class were cut, especially for male ground. The application date has passed in any case. There should be a class in October and January. Unless you are female or have already passed the BAR exam it will likely take you a while to get to OCS. I would plan on spending a year in the officer candidate pool.

3 miles in 21 minutes
100 sit-ups in 2 minutes
17 pull ups
Those are what it is taking to have a shot at getting accepted.

Moral and medical standards are also higher.
 
Navy LT i am glad you have a sense of humor! I like the Navy, they bring us food and bullets. they also patch us up when we get shot.
 
I have a son in Afganistan, right now...a civilian contractor to the US Dept of State...he's a pilot there and was told in no uncertain terms that he was not allowed to bring in, carry, use or anything else in the way of a personal side arm...and that includes the grips on his issued M-9 and "extra" sighting devises for his M-4.

During my two tours in S.E. Asia, I was not allowed to bring in any personal weapons. I was issued a S&W M-15 Combat Masterpiece and a CAR 15 for use in the field. The M-15 stayed in my hold gear back at Bien Hoa, and I soon acquired a 1911A1 for use in the field. At various times I carried and used: a Browning Hi-Power, an AK-47, an M-16, an M-40 Grenade Launcher and probably a cpl of others that slip my memory...but I lived and fought with 5th Special Forces and they used what they d----d well pleased...and, more importantly, what worked for their varied missions. Regular troops used issued weapons, no exceptions up to the rank of Colonel.

I did know of another FAC, flying a similar mission, in the countries immediately to the north & west of Vietnam, that had smuggled in his accurized Browning Hi-Power 9mm. He used it throughout his tour, but was unable to get the piece home with him when he DEROSE'd. We were posted pretty far from any friendly chimney smoke of any size and out there, nobody gave a good rat's a$$ what we carried. But the big support bases were another matter.

Any combat tour requires a reliable piece...not some slicked up arm chair commando's idea of a combat weapon. Accuacy is secondary to reliability. Whatever it is, it's gotta work every time...and if it doesn't...the armorer will issue you one that does...keep 'em clean 24/7 and you'll do fine. Contrary to some internet's experts, our troops have good weapons...not perfect...but as close to that ideal that US Army and Marine Ordnance can come up with, and as the kill ration shows, use them to good effect.

Rodfac
 
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I've always wondered what the military's reasoning behind prohibiting privately owned weapons in combat.
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B/C it isn't just about you going home it is about everyone going home. They don't want someone else getting killed b/c you brought the SW your granddad carried in WWII and your Dad carried in Vietnam malfunctions. They can't train you for every weapon and want to make sure you are trained. They don't want you carrying more equipment then you are already issued. They don't want you to stop carrying an M9 if issued one. There are lots of good reasons to NOT allow it. A few good reason to allow it also.
 
I've always wondered what the military's reasoning behind prohibiting privately owned weapons in combat.
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Simple really, training first off.

Second, What if I run low on ammo and look to you and you have rounds that I can't use or mag's that won't work in my weapon?

Also if I allow you to use a non-standard weapon how do I know what ammo your using. Is it legal? Is it safe? How do I know that your Grandpa's 1911 from WWI won't blowup in the middle of a firefight killing the guy next to you?

All kinds of problems here that should be obvious.
 
Big T nailed it. It's against the LOAC (Law of armed conflict or Law of war) to bring any personal weapons (you also can't use poison arrows). Besides, it would be a logistics nightmare. The people we fight don't follow these rules unless we have another large Europeen type conflict, but we have to.

The stories you hear about guys who had a weapon mailed to the in WW2 or Korea are true, but it was a lt different then. We didn't have the same mentality of giving the troops what they need to get the job done, it was more here's what you get, try to make it work.

And all you Navy guys who stored your personal weapon in the Armory, that's because the Navy doesn't want a bunch of drunk sailors running around the base or ship armed. If you're going on watch or to actual combat, you'll get your issued weapon, not your Marlin 336 lever gun...

As an officer, you'll get your issued rifle and pistol, just like everybody else :D
 
And all you Navy guys who stored your personal weapon in the Armory, that's because the Navy doesn't want a bunch of drunk sailors running around the base or ship armed. If you're going on watch or to actual combat, you'll get your issued weapon, not your Marlin 336 lever gun...
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That was true aboard every ship I served on, . . . active or reserves, . . . but down in IV corp, . . . our skipper was a bit less daunted by "Regs". I regularly stood watch with my personal M3 (instead of some gosh awful piece of crap shotgun that loaded and ejected out of the bottom). I had to take the shotty with me, . . . but it stood over in the corner by itself.

An AF full bird came calling one day at our BEQ while I was on duty with it (his driver made a wrong turn, . . . he was looking for another building) and he was livid when he saw me totin' a WW2, side lever M3. He didn't say anything to me, personally, . . . just grumbled and muttered. :D :)

May God bless,
Dwight
 
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