Just thought I'd throw this in for curiosities sake. I spent 10 years in the Navy and aside from training in boot camp, I was never issued a firearm of any kind. The closest I ever came to gunpowder was in the cartridges for the ejection seats I worked on and the pencil flares we replaced in the flight survival vests and life rafts.
Active or Military Vets Never Issued a Weapon
- Thread starter amprecon
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I spent my first three years and two deployments without being issued a weapon except for semi-annual qualification.
It's only now that I'm deployed in Iraq that I carry a weapon full time.
Personally, I think that we should issue the soldier his weapon when he enters basic, provide or pay for maintenance, and only take it back if he's dishonorably discharged.
If the military decides to go to a new weapon system, issue him the new one at that time.
It's only now that I'm deployed in Iraq that I carry a weapon full time.
Personally, I think that we should issue the soldier his weapon when he enters basic, provide or pay for maintenance, and only take it back if he's dishonorably discharged.
If the military decides to go to a new weapon system, issue him the new one at that time.
OH25shooter
Member
Aside from firing the M-16 and M-1 carbine in AF basic training (1968), I never was issued a weapon. I worked on the flight line and the only personnel with a weapon were the AP's (Air Police) guarding the B52 and KC135's on alert. During a security drill, I was selected to breach the guard at the secured gate to the alert area. He discovered my line badges were faked and he held me at gunpoint 
until other AP's arrived with M-16's. That was my only experience with guns in the military. Can't say I enjoyed it.
until other AP's arrived with M-16's. That was my only experience with guns in the military. Can't say I enjoyed it.M2 Carbine
member
Many military jobs do not require the use of small arms. There's no sense going to the great expense and dealing with the many other problems involved in issuing small arms to people in jobs that will never have the need for them.
On the other hand in the USMC EVERYONE is a rifleman first and whatever second.
I doubt that it's changed but when I was in, 1955-1963, even flight officers had to do tours with ground units.
At Parris Island I was issued a brand new M1 Garand and kept it and continued to qualify with it the whole time I was on active duty and I was a truck mechanic.
I also received training with the BAR and qualified with the 45.
On the other hand in the USMC EVERYONE is a rifleman first and whatever second.
I doubt that it's changed but when I was in, 1955-1963, even flight officers had to do tours with ground units.
At Parris Island I was issued a brand new M1 Garand and kept it and continued to qualify with it the whole time I was on active duty and I was a truck mechanic.
I also received training with the BAR and qualified with the 45.
SRYnidan
Member
Air Force 20 years retired. Other than qualification was issed .38 revolver four times (headed disaster shelter security team).
MillCreek
Member
My wife was in the Navy for 20 years, retiring as a HMC (SW) in 2000. The only time she had a weapon was during her two IDC tours on Spruance-class destroyers. She was issued the usual 9 mm Beretta albeit it was stored in the armory on board. The rationale was so that if she had to go ashore as a field medic, she would have a personal weapon available. When she was the IDC at a shore command, she was not issued a weapon.
dodge
Member
When I was in the Army ('72-'76) other than firing one in basic I never fired one again even for qualification. I was assigned a M-16 at every post but that was it. When I was in Germany I never even seen my rifle that was assigned to me.
Lmao, MarkDido........that is a good point, but no, I was an AME, we worked with them alot :banghead: point taken. But we stood aircraft watches while with A-6E's at Oceana and the only weapon we were issued was a beat up billy club that hung on a white duty belt and a radio. Guess the Navy takes their aircraft security much less seriously. Albeit of all the watches I've stood, we never heard of any incidents. At Pt. Mugu with P-3C's we didn't even have line watches, go figure
kannonfyre
Member
A non US example....
....I am from Singapore (island in SE Asia) and we have the draft for all male citizens and permanent residents.
Anyhoo, while I was issued an M-16A1 in basic back in '95, a few of my fellow draftees were classified as medically unfit to use weapons but still had to serve in support functions. (one had shoulder injuries from past sports, the other has psych problems and a third was allergic to gun oil)
These unarmed people were issued with hickory batons and carried those when we went for drills, field training or whatnot. When they pulled guard duty, they carried the batons and riot shields. When we went shooting, they were assigned to ammo detail and loaded mags for the entire company.
All in all, they served out their liabilities as clerks, store assistants, cooks...strictly back line REMFs and we who carried rifles envied them for it.
....I am from Singapore (island in SE Asia) and we have the draft for all male citizens and permanent residents.
Anyhoo, while I was issued an M-16A1 in basic back in '95, a few of my fellow draftees were classified as medically unfit to use weapons but still had to serve in support functions. (one had shoulder injuries from past sports, the other has psych problems and a third was allergic to gun oil)
These unarmed people were issued with hickory batons and carried those when we went for drills, field training or whatnot. When they pulled guard duty, they carried the batons and riot shields. When we went shooting, they were assigned to ammo detail and loaded mags for the entire company.
All in all, they served out their liabilities as clerks, store assistants, cooks...strictly back line REMFs and we who carried rifles envied them for it.
steveracer
Member
I've been active duty Navy for nine years...
...and have never been "issued" anything. I have assumed responsibility for many dozens of weapons, from Sig 228s to .50 M-2s, but never had one that was considered my "personal" weapon. I only get the weapon and ammo for the duration of my watch, and then I turn it over to the next poor bastard to stand watch. That's it.
I suppose I will be issued a sidearm in the sandbox with boots on the ground, but likely, the craptastic M-9. Jesus I hate that friggin gun.
...and have never been "issued" anything. I have assumed responsibility for many dozens of weapons, from Sig 228s to .50 M-2s, but never had one that was considered my "personal" weapon. I only get the weapon and ammo for the duration of my watch, and then I turn it over to the next poor bastard to stand watch. That's it.
I suppose I will be issued a sidearm in the sandbox with boots on the ground, but likely, the craptastic M-9. Jesus I hate that friggin gun.
Harry Paget Flashman
Member
I served 26 years in the Navy and aside from being issued a .45 for Quarterdeck watches in the 60's I was never issued a weapon. As an RD1 serving in Vietnam I was an NGFS supervisor for 6"/47's & 5"/38's and in Desert Storm as a LT I was a GLO for 5"/54's and SSWC for Harpoon & Tomahawk.
After Desert Storm we went to the Red Sea for blockade/search duties. Our XO, a great guy, handpicked the tallest and burliest enlisted and officers for the boarding teams. He trained them, amongst other things, to project a self-confident, no nonsense attitude. All were issued .45's and the enlisted had a mix of 12ga pumps and M-14's.
After Desert Storm we went to the Red Sea for blockade/search duties. Our XO, a great guy, handpicked the tallest and burliest enlisted and officers for the boarding teams. He trained them, amongst other things, to project a self-confident, no nonsense attitude. All were issued .45's and the enlisted had a mix of 12ga pumps and M-14's.
Darth Ruger
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During my years in the Army I carried and used M16's, M203 grenade launchers, an M60 machine gun, and the occasional LAW (a shoulder-fired rocket).
In the Army
During basic (1968) we actually slept with our M-14s. In RVN, I slept with my M-16, full magazine without one in the chamber. They tried to institue a rule that when in base camp your weapon was locked in the armory but I refused since I was frequently ordered into the field at a moments notice. Our wimpy CO didn't push the issue. One night during a sapper attack, I had half the company in my bunker since I was about the only one with a weapon and ammo. The clerk with keys to the armory couldn't be found to unlock!
They still didn't learn the lesson.
Once I got back home, during the 8 months I served before discharge, I got to "visit" my M-16 in the armory once each week to strip and clean it.
During basic (1968) we actually slept with our M-14s. In RVN, I slept with my M-16, full magazine without one in the chamber. They tried to institue a rule that when in base camp your weapon was locked in the armory but I refused since I was frequently ordered into the field at a moments notice. Our wimpy CO didn't push the issue. One night during a sapper attack, I had half the company in my bunker since I was about the only one with a weapon and ammo. The clerk with keys to the armory couldn't be found to unlock!
They still didn't learn the lesson.Once I got back home, during the 8 months I served before discharge, I got to "visit" my M-16 in the armory once each week to strip and clean it.
MICHAEL T
Member
During my 13 years M-14, m-16, M-60, shotgun and last 7 years a 1911 daily open or concealed.
Though having done 20 years in the USN, the only times I had a weapon issued/assigned to me personally was tours with the USMC and Seabee battalion units. Even doing law enforcement while at my last command(s), I drew a weapon from the armory that was part of their inventory and then returned it at the end of the day.
The Air Force never saw fit to arm me, or provide me with any useful training.
Had to take care of that on my own.
Knew one old NCO who was proud of the fact that he had only handled a firearm once in his life, during basic training. :banghead:
There is no need for people who wear uniforms but do not bear arms.
Had to take care of that on my own.
Knew one old NCO who was proud of the fact that he had only handled a firearm once in his life, during basic training. :banghead:
There is no need for people who wear uniforms but do not bear arms.
acdodd
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I spent 10 years in the Navy and I never knew any one that was issued a firearm. Firearms weren't really needed in the Avionics shop.
We did shoot the M14 in basic at the MCRD. I don't remember if anyone actually qualified with it or not. With only 2 hours of instruction it was doubtful.
The Marine DI took 5 of us and placed a 1911 in our hand. They said pull the trigger till it's empty and they never let go of our hands.
After we had all shot the .45 qualification course they said typical Navy, no one qualified.
They didn't even bother to put up targets just the target frames.
They were however nice enough to let us all load several hundred magazines just so we would know how if we ever needed to.
We had a rifle with the bolt welded shut assigned in basic that we occasionally carried. We couldn't do anything with them except carry them when told to.
AC
We did shoot the M14 in basic at the MCRD. I don't remember if anyone actually qualified with it or not. With only 2 hours of instruction it was doubtful.
The Marine DI took 5 of us and placed a 1911 in our hand. They said pull the trigger till it's empty and they never let go of our hands.
After we had all shot the .45 qualification course they said typical Navy, no one qualified.
They didn't even bother to put up targets just the target frames.
They were however nice enough to let us all load several hundred magazines just so we would know how if we ever needed to.
We had a rifle with the bolt welded shut assigned in basic that we occasionally carried. We couldn't do anything with them except carry them when told to.
AC
You would be surprised how often especially in the USN that a weapon is not issued even when it should be. 4 1/2 years in the USN, never fired a USN weapon, including boot camp!
This included when I was being put in to security functions although if I would have stayed in I'm sure it would have been more likely for me to have been given an M9. We beefed up security at a small base a lot during the time the Bin Laden stuff heated up. Sometimes even during this we only had one-three guys actually armed on a base of 150-200 people!
And in town or on patrol the locals forbade us to carry!
I used to complain about it to no avail of course, I was also told that we had 5000 rounds or so for emergency, I said I had more than that at home! One African immigrant with a green card we had that had enlisted said I owned enough personal firearms to take over his small country! One reason I was pissed I didn't have a gun was I was responsible for feeding/taking care of the killer working dog we had when the real handler was off,if I was trusted to do that, I should have had a gun.
This included when I was being put in to security functions although if I would have stayed in I'm sure it would have been more likely for me to have been given an M9. We beefed up security at a small base a lot during the time the Bin Laden stuff heated up. Sometimes even during this we only had one-three guys actually armed on a base of 150-200 people!
And in town or on patrol the locals forbade us to carry!
I used to complain about it to no avail of course, I was also told that we had 5000 rounds or so for emergency, I said I had more than that at home! One African immigrant with a green card we had that had enlisted said I owned enough personal firearms to take over his small country! One reason I was pissed I didn't have a gun was I was responsible for feeding/taking care of the killer working dog we had when the real handler was off,if I was trusted to do that, I should have had a gun.
I was a jet engine mechanic for Uncle Sam's A$$ Factory from 1971-1978. I was issued a weapon one time during an alert drill. It was an M16 in a sealed storage bag. I was told if I opened the bag, I would have to clean the weapon. I had it for about 2 hours and gave it back.
GlenJ
Member
I was in the Navy from 1984 to 2004. My boot camp company never saw a weapon. In 1998 I was in the security force on the USS Enterprise we qualed with the 12 gauge by shooting in the water and no thats not a joke. Until 9 11 we stood watch with our weapons unloaded and after 911 we went to carrying locked and loaded. After 911 when everyone onboard had to be weapon qualled there was a lot of people who had things in there record that they couldn't carry weapons such as domestic abuse, alcohol related offenses and any type of mental treatment like depression etc.
Zip06
Member
Air Force 1961 -65. Weapon issued only in Vietnam.
Army 1969-88. Weapon assigned (Never saw them) but only issued weapon when assigned to TO&E units.
Army 1969-88. Weapon assigned (Never saw them) but only issued weapon when assigned to TO&E units.
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