My perception is that someone way up the power
curve got hold of PEO Soldier and told 'em to shape up and get with the program. If so, it was a long overdue grab by the stacking swivel IMO.
That's just one of several reverses from them in the last couple of weeks...
This posting could go into multiple threads,
but I'll lay it out here. Many dicussions throughout the SWJ revolve around weapons. Everyone talks about the ideal round, ideal lethality, ideal caliber, firing rates, etc..... Finally someone brought up one of my biggest pet peeves (Thanks Coldstreamer). POSITIVE ID. At what distance with the naked eye can a soldier positively ID (PID) his threat in any environment? Yes, the environment makes a difference and I know all the associated factors. For arguements sake let's say open desert:
1. In local attire carrying an AK or RPG?
2. In local attire hiding an AK or RPG under his clothes?
3. In military uniform carrying an AK or RPG?
4. In military uniform with no weapon visable?
Aditionally lets use the same constraints with common current optics found within our force.
1. ACOG 4x power
2. M68 or EOTECH 0x power
3. Binos (showing my age by allowing the old M22) 7x50
4. Thermals (lightweight)
5. ELCAN M145 3.4x power
Staying in the daylight only realm, night becomes a completely different story.
I'm not talking capabilities with sniper teams and other specialties. Most discussions center around the "force" in general.
Additionally this changes based on the fight your in. Yes one can PID someone shooting from a much further distance or can they?
Based on being able to PID your target then what becomes the ideal weapon systems?
As far as anything 25mm, 40 mm or whatever the hell the next great idea fairy dreams up, maybe they should look at an effective way to train Soldiers on the weapon system. M203/M79 (yes they are still around) is the most underutilized weapon in the inventory. No one gets ammo to train with it and since this has been the case for too many years no one knows how to use it. I love seeing the deer in the headlight look when I ask why they do not have "hold off" markings taped onto their sling. Before we keep throwing new weapons, ammo, technology at the "force", we need to be able to ensure it can be effectively trained and therefore utilized to it's full capability.
Every weepon has its place and most have several...
Both y'all have good points -- and I'll add that the 40mm is really great for bringing a car that tries to speed through a checkpoint to a screeching halt if you drop one about 15m ahead of him or her. :eek: :D
And nothing beats a .50 cal for deterring people inside buildings in most of the world.
Hadn't considered the noise angle with Arabs but I can definitely visualize it -- and the eye rolls at us being nice. :D
While all the HE grenades are essentially defensive weapons, the launchers do have uses in the offense and they need to be available because one never knows when an offensive move will get turned into a hasty or temporary defense; same reason we carry frags in the attack and Offensive Grenades are rare beasts.
Same old stuff, though -- Training and METT-TC. Always gets back to those two...
Hey Jon, let me guess ...
so ODB or Ken can shell both of us - windage and elevation clicks + ?
from a target shooter only. According to a Marine friend (Vnam vintage), you also get into the target's speed and angular attitude with respect to the shooter (1/2 body width, full body width, etc., leads).
Regards
Mike
When all else fails, RTFI...
From the book:
f. Marked-Sling Method. To use this method, the grenadier must--
(1) Loosen the sling, assume a kneeling position, and place the forward foot in the sling.
(2) Ensure the sling is taut and vertical between the front sling swivel and the boot. If not, the rounds will impact at a greater range than desired. To check this, tie one end of a string or thread to a weight, such as a cartridge case, and tie the other to the sling swivel. Let it hang freely, and align the edge of the sling with it to ensure the sling is vertical.
(3) Fire several rounds to determine the desired range.
(4) Where the sling is held to the ground by the foot, mark the sling with colored tape, paint, ink, or whatever is available. Mark the position of the buckles so that, if either is moved, the grenadier can return them to their original positions and be assured of constant range accuracy.
(5) If the sling gets wet, it may stretch or shrink, indirectly causing the rounds to impact closer or farther than desired.
LINK.
True on hold offs, you and Mike are correct on that
and I read what ODB said, hold offs. However, the tape and the reference just prior to the M79/M203 to me implied he was talking the sling marking with respect to shooting grenades and said 'hold offs' instead of 'expedient elevation markers for specific ranges' (handy for FPF and several other things, not least a channeling barrage from two or three launchers...).
Proper hold offs, as those you mention, IMO need to be known and remembered -- carried in the mind, not (written?) on tape on the sling. I'd ask what good they are there, particularly at night or in low vis or when one is in a terrible big hurry -- or else... :D
Or are we all missing something?
Only ODB knows and he must be out and about, having fun somewhere... :wry:
You really want to get a deer in the headlights look, ask even experienced people about fire tunnels. :D