"A Marine Reports from Iraq"

[lrd]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com
A Marine reports from Iraq
By An anonymous Marine
Published November 22, 2005

Editor's note: There's nothing like word from the field to know what works, what doesn't and how the enemy's tactics are affecting our soldiers in battle. Below is one U.S. Marine's take on those questions, verified and relayed to us through his father, a retired Marine. We've withheld the Marine's name and his father's to spare them the inevitable political or institutional flap. Among the most interesting tidbits: Our Marine reports that servicemen are shocked at negative press coverage of the war, and they believe the United States is winning decisively -- but that the number of troops in the field should be bolstered. On equipment, our Marine thinks the older, battle-tested parts of the U.S. arsenal are the most useful equipment in the fight against insurgents. M-16s aren't much good, but "Ma Deuce" is, and the .45 pistol is highly coveted. Body armor has plusses and minuses.

Hello to all my fellow gunners, military buffs, veterans and interested guys. A couple of weekends ago I got to spend time with my son... [He] spent seven months at "Camp Blue Diamond" in Ramadi, a.k.a. "Fort Apache." He saw and did a lot. The following is what he told me about weapons, equipment, tactics and other miscellaneous information which may be of interest to you. Nothing is by any means classified. No politics here, just a Marine with a bird's eye view's opinions.


Edited by the Team Sergeant Reason; Story is pure BS.

[504PIR]

I don't think a Marine wrote it. For a few reasons:

Marines don't use the M24, their version of the Remington M700 is the M40A1. Though may have a M40A2 by now. I don't really keep up with it though.

The author refers to a M243 SAW, obvious mistake, should be M249.

On the 45 author refers the "HK military model & supposedly love it". I could be wrong but I have never seen any military carry the "boat anchor" in Iraq. Granted I have NOT been everywhere & seen everything. He also mentions the 45 being "reissued en mass". Seen several unit's personal carry 45's but they were tricked out 1911's.

Much of the article is true, much is also just his opinion too. Someone who hates the M16, SAW and likely 5.56 mm in general. I have never had any jamming problems with my M16 or M4 in the sandbox (keeping fingers crossed). Again I'm sure some personal have had issues with it, I just have not personnally observed it.

Back to lurk mode.

[Team Sergeant]

I have already pulled this off our boards once before. Whoever wrote it was an idiot and I doubt it was a Marine. It sounds as if it was written by a civilian with an agenda and not a member of the US Military. As was already pointed out there are obvious fabrications throughout the article and my favorite line is the mind blowing "By An anonymous Marine" which in itself sets the tone for the article.

I have had extensive training with all the weapons this individual writes about and in my opinion he (or she) is clearly a weapons novice, an amateur and an idiot. (IMO this might even be a reporter because of the fashion and fluff in which the story was written.) And merely printing the story in the Washington Times does not contribute any creditability to the commentary.

I have no desire to have this board become a dumping ground for tabloid news. This is worst than tabloid news it is clearly fabricated and total BS. I do understand those with little to no weapons training reading this trash and believing each and every word, and in my opinion that's all it is, trash.

lrd, Posting this is not your fault, it would, however, be mine if I did not point out that this is pure BS.

Team Sergeant

[lrd]

TS,

I started to run this by you before posting, and should have. I was curious about its accuracy, and now I know.

[ObliqueApproach]

Though not a fan of SOCNET, the following link gives you various perspectives about the Washington Times article. In general, the opinion is that some of the comments are valid, but the article in general is Bravo Sierra.

http://www.socnetcentral.com/vb/showthread.php?t=54209

[Commo Dude]

Maybe, instead of blocking the whole article, it would be better to edit out the BS opinions and leave the good shit for everyone to see. There are SOME valid points in there.

As far as the weapons go, almost two years out here without a jam using M4 & M249 prove that weapons maintinence is the key to reliability. I have NEVER SEEN a Marine with a dirty weapon though.