Hello All,

Well it's been a sporting good time here in Ft. McCoy, and let me tell you all about it. The weather has turned in our favor, after last weeks miserable, sub-zero fun. Things are still progressing, and I'll have to leave out some of the details, but allow me to tell of our M-16 rifle qualification (that's where the title of this essay comes from).

Last week on Wednesday, word came down that we would be qualifying with our rifles. For those of you who don't know what that means, I'll give you the Readers Digest version. 40 rounds of ammo are handed out to all soldiers as they enter the rifle range. 20 rounds from a supported position (weapon resting on sandbags), and 20 rounds from an unsupported position (weapon NOT resting on sandbags). They are then placed in a fox hole and shoot targets that pop up at ranges 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 meters (not yards, that ywould make sense). These targets vary in size, and the order of their appearing varies; and sometimes multiple targets pop-up. This may seems a bit daunting to the civilian, but it is simply a matter of training (good training that is) to qualify. The minimum score to qualify is 23 hits. As I said, not terribly difficult.

Now on to the subject (thought I forgot about that, didn't you?). For the range, there must be safety NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers, Sergeants, like myself). Safety is a big issue, since we're firing LIVE rounds, and LIVE rounds have the capability of killing (why would you train with anything else?). Now, our Hero (yours truly) has been a safety NCO for quite some time and was not surprised in the least when he was ordered the duty. Fear is a manageable thing. I know this. I have been trained in this and I have tested myself (see Skydiving, SCUBA and climbing but steep hills in Colorado). However, it is an entirely different situation when acting as a Safety NCO, on a rifle range with LIVE ammo, and a soldier (in her foxhole) turns to say something, and points her weapon directly at my chest (range 5 meters). Do not fear, my training took over immediately, and I in a commanding voice (see SCREAMING) ordered her to move the weapon back to a safe position ("DON'T FUCKING POINT THAT THING AT ME, BITCH!"). The order was promptly followed, and a stern smack to the back of head was her assurance that I was right BEHIND her for the duration of her firing (I was able to wipe out my shorts about 10 minutes later).

The loathing came in two parts. First, the weather. The day began at 5 degrees with a wind just light enough to be annoyingly cold, but not quite painful. However, when we night fired (it's really not that hard to see in the dark, thank God for flares!) my friend the sun was gone and the wind picked up nicely. I donated 5 rounds to the soldier on my right to help him knock down his targets I'm good at night fire). That leads me to the second point of loathing, non-firing soldiers (see BOLOS, aka losers) really piss me off. It's a simple thing, with basic fundamentals, and don't start crying about the weather. I'm not buying. This is a failure of NCO's (just like me) to train their people. I know there are some people that just plain suck with weapons, by why do they join the Army? I was in total contempt of 23 MP's (not in MY unit) that could not hit more than 10 targets. That's 25 percent. That's pathetic. I hope they're good cops, because they SUCK as shooters . Aim, breath, squeeze. Simple. Easy. Done. Those MP's are still out there as I'm writing this on Wednesday. At least the weather has turned for them. Bolos. I know it's wrong to dislike someone for their shortcomings, but I loath those that cannot meet the standard (especially when it's already low).

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now. Somebody might point a weapon at me.

Love,

Will