Page 1 of 15 12311 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 150

Thread: OIF/OEF Veterans. Technical Lessons Learned wanted

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    20
    Feedback Score
    0

    OIF/OEF Veterans. Technical Lessons Learned wanted

    ALCON,

    I work for CALL (Center for Army Lessons Learned)

    I am looking for any lessons learned, tips, insight etc on the M4/M16 as used in combat in Afghanistan or Iraq. I want first hand info from you guys who have used them in combat.

    SEND TO MY AKO listed below.
    DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BUT WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED UNCLASS or OPEN SOURCE.
    DO NOT VIOLATE OPSEC.


    Examples;
    Any experience with PMAG’s in combat, how they hold up, how they function., how they compare to issue mags

    Slings: what works best and why for in MRAP, M1151, M114, SUV’s, for dismounted,

    Sights; what BUIS works best. Any issues with durability, holding zero, falling off the weapon
    ACOG: pros cons, issues. Holding zero. Engaging targets at log range

    CCO: Comp M2 or Comp M4 same questions as with ACOG

    After market personally purchased gear: what works, what doesn’t

    What works for maintenance that isn’t being taught.
    Training ?

    Same basic questions for M9.

    Anything you want to tell me about the weapons , send it.

    Weapons training: what was good, what was not included that should have been, what should be eliminated.

    I am looking at collecting on what guys in the field have experienced. I have my own experiences but one mans does not a consensus make. I need to hear it from the grunts , the SECFOR, the PSD’s.

    If in doubt, send it anyway.

    Your input is appreciated.

    Email your responses to PM for AKO

    I would appreciate it if you included your rank, position, time frame in country, years of service and basic location. I will not attribute last names if you request.
    The info is what’s important. Your info may be used for follow up questions or details.

    If yoU have specific questions about this post, email me and I will respond.


    UNCLASS or OPEN SOURCE only
    DO NOT VIOLATE OPSEC.
    Last edited by huntgrouse; 12-23-08 at 13:35. Reason: PERSEC

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Republic, Mo
    Posts
    426
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Email sent to AKO.

    Sir,

    I see where you are going with this. Please edit your post to direct information directly to the CALL website and/or to your AKO. This is an open form. Thank you.
    Last edited by telecustom; 12-22-08 at 13:15. Reason: Added line.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    33
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Cleared for "OPSEC"
    Last edited by USMC Tanker; 12-22-08 at 19:19.


    "I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." - Abraham Lincoln

    Semper Fidelis

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    281
    Feedback Score
    0
    Rule # 1 in Afghanistan: "Don't trust a fart."

    After that, everything is pretty common sense. Regular Army carries too much crap on their person for a mission (SOP's change when you go outside the wire thank goodness). M-4's run if you keep them clean and use good mags. Come home in one piece and you win.

    That's it.

    Rich
    "Pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you're doing." - Chuck Knox

    For those that say USPSA/IPSC/3-Gun isn't tactical...speed is a tactic!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    NoVa
    Posts
    2,906
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Closed:

    I will tack this thread for a few weeks.
    Kevin S. Boland
    Manager, Federal Sales
    FN America, LLC
    Office: 703.288.3500 x181 | Mobile: 407-451-4544 | Fax: 703.288.4505
    www.fnhusa.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2,036
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Dude, don't take the wrong way, but take a breath. Of the questions you asked I can't imagine anything that would violate OPSEC. Most any SM in a bar will tell you EXACTLY what he thinks about this war, and all M4 technical data is open source.

    Personally, I think for the good of the cause we should post our observations here. I am sure others have the same questions.

    Anyway, I will take a crack at a few of these:

    Single point slings are popular. Really, I think few things are better than plain old 1" Tubular Nylon.

    The MATECH BUIS is fine. SOCOM uses the ARMS #40P. The Army has several ACOG's in service. They all work great. As near as I can tell, they are much preferred over all of the Elcan scopes to include the much hyped Elcan SpecterDR. If you are issued the M145 MGO take care to inspect the mount/zero adjustment.

    The new CCO's are awesome. If battery life is a concern then go with the Aimpoint. The EOTech 552 is available in the system. None of these will give you problems.

    PEO Soldier has a program to evaluate gear: https://peosoldier.army.mil/faqs.asp#Q75

    It is a good program. When in doubt, look for the PEO Soldier seal of approval. It will save a lot of troops some hard earned money.

    The M4 needs a lot of lube, not a thin coat but dripping wet with CLP. Militec works well too. Personally, I like thick sludge of CLP, Militec, and carbon. It sort of looks like black LSA after a few days. Just keep a 1oz bottle of CLP with you at all times. If you bolt looks dry, dirty or dusty just apply more CLP. At some point you may actually want to clean it.

    The M9 needs lube too. Many people don't actually know that.

    Training? How about Course: 9E-F23/920-F13 (MTT-A/G) - SHORT RANGE MARKSMANSHIP (GWOT). It is in ATRRS and is only one week. You could do worse. I would also recommend getting current in CLC (or TCCC) and take Level 1 Combatives. Also make sure you know how to use every piece of equipment on your vehicle. You never know when you may be called to run the radio/DAGR or the 50cal/Mk19.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    20
    Feedback Score
    0

    rsponse

    Quote Originally Posted by Armati View Post
    Dude, don't take the wrong way, but take a breath. Of the questions you asked I can't imagine anything that would violate OPSEC. Most any SM in a bar will tell you EXACTLY what he thinks about this war, and all M4 technical data is open source.

    Personally, I think for the good of the cause we should post our observations here. I am sure others have the same questions.

    Anyway, I will take a crack at a few of these:

    Single point slings are popular. Really, I think few things are better than plain old 1" Tubular Nylon.

    The MATECH BUIS is fine. SOCOM uses the ARMS #40P. The Army has several ACOG's in service. They all work great. As near as I can tell, they are much preferred over all of the Elcan scopes to include the much hyped Elcan SpecterDR. If you are issued the M145 MGO take care to inspect the mount/zero adjustment.

    The new CCO's are awesome. If battery life is a concern then go with the Aimpoint. The EOTech 552 is available in the system. None of these will give you problems.

    PEO Soldier has a program to evaluate gear: https://peosoldier.army.mil/faqs.asp#Q75

    It is a good program. When in doubt, look for the PEO Soldier seal of approval. It will save a lot of troops some hard earned money.

    The M4 needs a lot of lube, not a thin coat but dripping wet with CLP. Militec works well too. Personally, I like thick sludge of CLP, Militec, and carbon. It sort of looks like black LSA after a few days. Just keep a 1oz bottle of CLP with you at all times. If you bolt looks dry, dirty or dusty just apply more CLP. At some point you may actually want to clean it.

    The M9 needs lube too. Many people don't actually know that.

    Training? How about Course: 9E-F23/920-F13 (MTT-A/G) - SHORT RANGE MARKSMANSHIP (GWOT). It is in ATRRS and is only one week. You could do worse. I would also recommend getting current in CLC (or TCCC) and take Level 1 Combatives. Also make sure you know how to use every piece of equipment on your vehicle. You never know when you may be called to run the radio/DAGR or the 50cal/Mk19.

    Look, it isnt me getting all worked up over "OPSEC". I have gotten a few emails and added the caveat in order to keep the worry warts at bay. Yes I know this is all open source and all I am doing is gathering it up. This will be rolled into a report for the Army when I get enough info.

    Thanks for your input. I will add it to the other reports I have recieved. Amen on the M( lube. I have watched too many M9's choke because they were dry.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cache, Ok
    Posts
    60
    Feedback Score
    0
    There is no magic cure for keeping an M4 or A2 clean in that environment. Keep the moving parts clean and lubed well. A simple wiping down of the bolt carrier assembly, the inside of the upper receiver and the barrel extension lugs is all it takes to keep the gun running. Dothis repeatedly as time permits.

    There is no such thing as no time to do this 2 minute drill.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    114
    Feedback Score
    0
    My introduction to gun boards, was a result of me trying to find better ways to do my job. And it turned out to be very helpful.

    I'll put together a more comprehensive e-mail together. It should be very interesting to compile this data and see the common denominators. I'll try to keep my contribution to what I would see as feasible and practical. I would also like to note I've been out of the Army for almost 3 years now, so some of my input could be moot point or such programs may exist without my knowledge.

    A couple things,

    "Check the box" training is the wrong answer. I read an article in the Army Times, about new philosphies regarding training. Of course there has to be some guidelines. But I'd like see more "train the trainer" programs producing greater expertise and see civilian resources encorporated and raise the bar on Soldiering skills. Personally, I think the FM's are a good starting point and obviously neccessary but there's alot more out there. Especially considering we want to produce professional gunfighters.

    I think AAR's are a great tool. I'd like to see a Lessons Learned computerized data base, which leaders can draw on. As an analogy, If you got only a couple senior NCO's talking shop, you have alot of years experience and knowledge. I think it would be very beneficial to make categorized and specific AAR's available to other units. The format would have to be in a detailed written format. The program could deminish different units making similar mistakes.

    Good luck with the program

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    5,795
    Feedback Score
    0
    Seems like these issues are the same since the first Gulf War. The Army should have had butt loads of AARs from that one. Since the Gubment is spending so much these days, how bout spending some cash on OEM mags for the M9s to address all the mag issues. I'm sure they'll get a bulk discount. Also, a better Maintenance inspection criteria at the company, BN and BDE level to replace and repair parts before they become an issue. Seems it always comes down to Money and Determination. People always seek the path of least resistance, including our leaders. Doing nothing or providing the lowest cost item, doesn't ensure we have the best/reliable weapons/equipment in the field. Pull the Bean Counters out of the equation. Get the material and equipment survey guys back into the field and asks the trigger pullers what works. Have permanent survey teams at every Fort, Camp, Airbase to get to those units rotating back to the US.


    Gulf War Vet.
    For God and the soldier we adore, In time of danger, not before! The danger passed, and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted." - Rudyard Kipling

Page 1 of 15 12311 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •