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Thread: OIF/OEF Veterans. Technical Lessons Learned wanted

  1. #101
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    Quote Originally Posted by swa0210 View Post
    I just disagree, which is okay. It is good to have many perspectives.

    I know it is higher. But when you use the acog, while I could pling at 500 in the prone, you won't use it like that in reality....at least we didn't. Anything out to that range our companies had SAM-Rs.

    Mainly it was used within 200 yards for fire fights, with the BDC mainly used to range. By having it on the handle you don't have to squeeze into your cheek weld but can keep your head slightly canted with both eyes open. Using this method is efficient for quick target acquisition and is just better ergonomics. Then if the ACOG fails for any reason, one just needs to use a tight cheek weld and look through the peep hole and use iron sights, all without moving the ACOG or distorting the picture.

    Just takes a little more training is all.

    And you are technically right that the hardware is the same if used with the newer M16A4, which has a flat top and a carrying handle mount with two nuts.

    If we just consider the ACOG it is less hardware; one nut on the carrying handle versus the screws to mount the rail adapter to the ACOG and two tightening nuts on the adapter to the rail... more moving parts, more can go wrong to the $1600+ optic.

    Thanks for the welcome, I love this place already!
    SAM-Rs have been out of service for quite awhile now, the Mk12 is being used for the same function in AFG and on MEU floats

    We have started fielding Larue RCO mounts to replace the older TA-51 mount

  2. #102
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    Well that is a surprise, the SAM-Rs were good to go. It does look like the mk12 is pretty similar though...

    The Larue mount looks good to go, how does it do with the iron sight? Do you have to remove the optic to use the BUIS or no?

  3. #103
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    The RCO has to come off to use the backups. Starting in late 07, early 08 all the new A4s and M4s came with MATECH instead of carrying handles. About a month ago the Marine Corps also standardized on a BUIS instead of the MATECH.

    Although I like the Larue mount, there was nothing wrong with the TA51 outside of user error. What I saw the most was the armorers would remove them when they put them in the cage in the armory. When they were next drawn they would put them back on finger tight and no one knew to tighten them down per the TM. The RCO mount gets around this by not giving the option, it is either on or it isn't.

  4. #104
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    PM sent regarding 09-10 deployment.

  5. #105
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    Afghanistan 08-09, 11-12

    This is my second deployment to Afghanistan. My first deployment could be considered a joke. All that we ran into was IED's. My second deployment they sent us to a hornets nest. I am still in Afghanistan and that being the case I will not say where I am or what unit I am in. I will say this.
    In regards to the M4.
    I know that there are many options out there that are field proven to be more reliable than the current direct impingement system we are using. I have been in more firefights than I can count, and I am also guilty of not cleaning my M4 everyday, or even every week for that matter. Much to the credit of this great gun, I have never had a malfunction of any kind. I would like to have suppressors as standard issue for every infantryman but that is just out of the cards with our current budget.
    Optics.
    The only units that deploy with M68's are supports units. Every Infantry unit that I have seen in sector has ACOG's. Granted I know that the occasional less fortunate National Guard unit has to make due with CCO's, I would say the majority of the ground pounders have ACOG's. I opted out of the ACOG for a personal optic. I put an EOTech EXPS3-1 w/3x Magnifier. I am still able to engage targets within the weapons effective ranges, but I feel much more comfortable with the speed of target acquisition during CQB. I do think that the EOTech and magnifier combination is something that the Army should look into.
    Personal kit.
    Everybody has their own preferences. I would say keep it simple, keep it tight, and keep it light. The people you see in the news walking around with 100 pouches hanging off their kit, and two leg rigs, looking like a jingle truck are NOT in the infantry. Carry only mission essential equipment. I have heard many schools of thought on how to set up a kit. That should always be left to the individual. All too often leadership takes it upon themselves to try and make their unit look uniformed. All this serves to do is make the individual soldier less comfortable with the equipment he has to use. I dont use anything that has been issued by the army, with the exception of the shirts. I believe that if I feel good I'll fight good.
    Weapons Training.
    I was able to do a Close range marksmanship training class prior to deployment. Though it was not the most thorough class I have ever taken it definitely opened the door to many different ideas and schools of thought. Most of which I have in turn passed down to my soldiers. The army needs to broaden its horizons as far as the marksmanship training is concerned. Stop the cookie cutter mold for marksmanship and just send the men to the range with as many rounds as they can use. I promise they will come away better shots than if you simply get them to shoot 40/40.
    PMAG's.
    Give them to every soldier. I am using the same Pmags this deployment as I did last deployment. They are beat to hell and still they manage to feed rounds without ever failing. The issued mags are hot garbage, and should be scrapped.

    Sgt. Infantry, Squad leader, Afghanistan 11-12

  6. #106
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    Good info in here.

  7. #107
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    Very good info indeed. From three deployments to Iraq all I can say is Brilliance in the basics pays off. Train as you fight, that butta butta jam crap is just that. Get your men used to being outside their comfort zone and able to adapt on their own to random challenges, above all keep your weapon clean and carry ammo in every pocket, anywhere you can.

  8. #108
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    Quote Originally Posted by Garrasa View Post
    Not sure if I have much input here as of now,

    but I'm fresh outta OSUT (Infantry) and stationed at Ft. Lewis with the 5th brigade 2nd ID. and I can honestly say that i am 100% undertrained for our deployment...

    That's just my $.02 on it as an infantryman straight outta basic.
    That stinks man. I just got out of OSUT myself. I am in the guard and we are deploying to afghanistan next year. We have M4's with Aimpoints and as a unit, seem to be very well equipped. We have been told that we will be getting new M4's when we mobilize with ACOGs and the new 302 grenade launchers (I cannot verify if this is true, as you know, with the army nothing is really going to happen until it happens).

    As far as training goes, you do not need to be running live fire react to contact or raid lanes to get good training (Though, during our 2 week AT we had a great 2 day exercise where we utilized an entire mountain valley to do live fire raids/react to contact/ambush exercises which involved live mortars and 40mm grenades). I have found that within my company, some platoons/squads/fire teams are better trained this others. That is because each team takes their training into their own hands. We do a lot of self training exercises, produce muscle memory, go over scenarios, do walk throughs. There is always down time during training, so we take advantage of it. Some teams don't, this is poor leadership (you get that in the guard a lot, guys just waiting to get out). But talk to your team leader, give some suggestions on things you feel you need training on (to appropriately approach a sergeant... "Sergeant, me and the joes are a little rusty on react to contact, could you run through it with us?"). Not as flashy as a live fire, but very effective. Also, just go ahead and run through stuff verbally with the other joes. This will be a double edged sword... you will gain in knowledge and skill... and your leadership will recognize positive leadership qualities in you (promotions!). I have been with my unit for 4 months and have already been sent to WLC. Taking ownership in you and your teams training is a great way to learn leadership and get recognized as a positive asset, not just another turd.

    Best of luck on your deployment! If you can't put your faith in the equipment, put it in the men. The United States Military, regardless of equipment and circumstances, will always have it's men and women as the most powerful asset in the world. Remember that.

  9. #109
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    I concur with the kit load out. When I was in OEF in 06, I carried 12 (HK) mags, frags, smoke, IFAK, CamelBak, (4) M9 Mags and I smoked the shit out of myself. Luckily we never received contact while on foot patrols (only when we were mounted).

    I went light to OIF in 2010 (4 PMAGS on Kit, 2 PMAGS on Molle Belt and 4 M9 Mags). Getting ready to go back to OEF in March and I purchased the SKD PIG and plan on having the same set up that I did in Iraq. Can't stress having the TQ on the outside enough. I have one on the kit, horizontal (held by two black hair ties) and two additional TQ on top of the buttock on the mole belt.

    As far as hydration, I have a small .75L Joey Pouch on the belt and a small 1.5L bladder on a 10" E&E pouch on the kit. Most of the water consumption will be from bottled water, but the H2O on my kit and belt are for foot patrols / emergency.

    My Molle belt has 1st line gear for E&E if for some reason I need to ditch the kit. It contains 2 PMAGS & 2 M9 Mags in Eagle Industries FB Mag Pouches / Buttpack with Pressure Dressing, (2) 14g a Decomp Needles, (2) TQ on top of BP, Various protein from broken down MREs (Peanut Butter, etc..), Leatherman, compass, .75L Joey Bladder and IR Strobe.
    Last edited by The Archangel; 12-09-11 at 12:26.
    "I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night..."

  10. #110
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    Personally bought "war belts" are golden. If you rig it right they can even help support the weight of your plate carrier, which really is a money maker when you're wearing armor for several days straight.
    RLTW

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