[Smokin Joe]

Originally posted by The Reaper
You asked for it. Want to be serious about shooting skills with me as the CSA?

Anybody not doing dedicated CQB, in an armored vehicle, or jumping MFF regularly gets an 18" or 20" barrel.

Would prefer 16" for the shorter guns, but understand there may be exceptions.

Big Army goes to the 77gr. cannelured 5.56 bullet.

Anyone expecting to engage only at CQB range gets an M68 (Aimpoint Comp M2). Anyone engaging precision targets out to moderate range gets an ACOG TA31. Dedicated marksmen out to 600 meters or so get an SPR with a TS30A2 optic. Anyone shooting further than that gets a 7.62 gas rifle. Dedicated snipers retain the M-24.

The M-4 gets a closed gas system upper. Mags are expendable and will be replaced by steel mags, which will be crushed after the first mag related malfunction. Units deploying get all new mags, and range time to test fire them before deploying.

All marksmanship instructors will be proficient in the use of firearms, or they will not be training my soldiers. Master gunners and master trainers will get increased opportunities for advanced schooling and promotion.

All soldiers will qualify with their issue weapons on KD and unknown distance ranges, under all conditions, on combat simulators, and will engage in a force on force with Simunitions as a graduation exercise. Fail, die, and you get recycled till you pass, or are completely covered with one giant blood bruise.

Specialty weapons (M-249, M-203, M-240, M-2, etc.) users get two weeks of additional training and qualification on their assigned weapons. Graduate and collect extra incentive pay for being a steely eyed killer. Fail and retrain, retest. Fail again and back to the pool.

Soldiers showing exceptional skills in Basic Marksmanship will be given incentives for advanced schooling and training, promoted one grade, and offered assignment choices.

Divisional MTUs are reinstated. Competitions are held. Winners get prizes, money, promotion points, free leaves. Good MTUs get rewarded. Bad ones get retrained, retested, and back to the pool if still deficient. The AMU is responsible for training and evaluation, and reports directly to the CSA.

Soldiers must reverify shooting skills upon PCS reporting. No pencil whipping. Fail, be retrained, retested. Fail again, and return to a training pool for additional instruction.

MTU conducts testing, not your buddy. Infantrymen qualify every two months. Other Combat Arms every three months. CS/CSS, every four months.

New ranges will be built. Battalion and below have indoor ranges and sub-cal devices. Ammo and weapons are available for practice to soldiers to practice with on the range anytime with adult supervision. Lunch on the range anyone? Weapons effects simulators are in every battalion as well. Competitions are held and the winners get slots to advanced schools and training.

Ammunition is procured as required, and small arms ammo (.22LR, 9mm, 5.56, and 7.62) issued upon demand, not by allocation. Usage is monitored. Commanders get reports two levels below, and one above. Fail to shoot, but had time for DONSAs and Training Holidays? One warning. Then you are relieved.

Soldiers get paid for qualifying Expert, and are required to shoot for points as part of their promotion. Can't qualify, can't get promoted.

Get caught with an unmaintained/unserviceable weapon and get UCMJed. I don't care what your hair looks like. Can you use that smokewagon?

No more BS medals for "being there". You want a medal, kill bad guys or save your buddies.

Sorry, just my .02, YMMV.

TR

Damn....I was just talking about fixing the M-16/M-4.

I can't speak from experience but after reading everyone's reply's it sounds like you have the road map on how to fix the Army.

Thank you Sir!