That these Marine instructors find it so hard to believe that a surface nuke mechanic doesn't stand watch topside with a gun? I am going through a security training (3 weeks), and I haven't handled a pistol in 7 years. An' that was the first time I handled one. I am always having to tell them that carrier nukes are undermanned and we barely have enough to stand our own watches, much less stand others. Yes, we send people TAD to other departments because we are supposed to by the ship's policy, but they still stand their watches. Heck, with all that I was involved in on my last ship, I didn't even have time to stand any watch. I did a few times, but I was too busy coordinating, and running drills along with various other duties (training, safety, etc).

Oh well, doing the M9 PWC today, and maybe qualifying M-16 (M9 has taken 3 days so far). Navy base doesn't have enough ammo to qual all of us M-16, so only 10 people in our class will do so out of 20. The lower ranked sailors will be the ones to get the qual. So me and the other 1st classes are SOL.
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nukemech1-The Marine Instructors that you are talking to probly have never been on a Ship with security onboard most Ships after the first Fram job meaning Missles and Nuke Power had armed security on their Quarter Decks now most Ships have armed and manned gun Post in Foriegn Waters.Even back in the Old days but not inforced all Navy Personal was supposed to expend so many rounds of Ammo yearly and qualify on small arms.Dont the Base where you are at have an Armory.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SULLY1,

They have each told us what they did in their time in. It's just that I've had to continuously tell them. Yes, we have an armory, but only enough to qualify half of us. I know there has to be more set aside for nonqual situations, but I'm going to feel pretty stupid shooting the dang thing and not getting the qual. So far I have passed all the 9mill quals. Yay for the guy who has almost never shot a pistol.
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nukemechanic1-kinda strange about the Armory New London is one of the oldest Training Bases in the US. Some people don't know much about the Black Shoe Navy and the Bubble Head Navy is a lot similar to the Black Shoe or Surface Force than the Bird Farmers the most of the Marines are used to Gators or Carriers.Gators are a brand of its own.

nukemech. congrats on qual with 9mm. good luck on the rifle qual. We jugheads do have thick skulls when it comes to basic marksmenship, its just that its second nature to us, and have a hard time with the concept that other branches of service have members that have never even handled a weapon, much less qualified with it. Does the Navy and hmmm the Air Force even have weapons qualifing badges/medals for the uniforms? Or are they just ribbons?

Hmmm, you have a point Sully1.

Gunny, Thanks. I wasn't able to qual M-16 as not enough ammo to qual all of us. But I did get to shoot 3 mags of 10 rounds at 3 targets from prone, kneeling, and standing. Fam-fire. Nice rifle, low kick. We didn't sight them in for us we so none of our shots went esactly where we wanted them, but hey, all the rounds made target paper in a nice group. So I didn't do bad. And far as qual goes, we get ribbons. Pistol and Rifle. I actually have the pistol ribbon from 7 years ago. I'm suprised I qual'd then. Looking back, I did a hell of a lot better now than then. But 7 years ago I was also shooting a police style berretta 9mill. Bulky as hell for me. These M9's may be cheap tin, but they fit better in my hands. One thing, lord help us all if I have to shoot with my support hand. I made target paper with both shots but the second would've hit someone besides the target being shot at.
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