11-01-2011, 03:21 AM
Bill / Guys:
This is why I view the NRA and the American Rifleman as unreliable sources when it comes to the military. I can't count the number of times some moron from the NRA has made the same stupid statement without stating how they came up with their numbers.
I imagine that their author either used anecdotal evidence or maybe found a STRAC manual (ignoring its date) and did some basic math based off of authorizations and units at full strength.
It may be true for CS and CSS units but it damn sure isn't for the Infantry or SF. And it is only true for the CS and CSS if their Commanders failed to ask for more ammo to train their Soldiers. I have not seen one unit commander at Battalion or Brigade level denied 5.56 because they shot more than their STRAC allowance for a year. This goes along with a CSA policy that originated in the early part of the GWOT where it was emphasized that every Soldier is an Infantryman and must train with their individual weapons.
When Infantry units do CQM training, it is not uncommon for them to blow through 400 - 500 rounds per man per day -- for a number of days. That 1200 number would be used up within three days of any conventional Infantry unit running any sort of CQM training. And they will do this type of training regularly throughout a year. As well as weapons density training, live fire training, zero and qualification, and probably a couple other ammo intensive training subjects I can't remember right now.
Although our guys are far better marksmen than probably any military on earth and particularly the enemies we are fighting today, blowing more ammo out of a carbine doesn't make anyone a better marksman -- combat, competitive, hunter, LEA, etc. That part the Army doesn't get as they still think that if 200 rounds in one day per man is good, 400 rounds in one day must be twice as good.
Siince the GWOT, there has not been any limit on 5.56 ball that I can recall. There has been shortages of 7.62 linked, .50 cal M-2 Ball linked, M-118 SB and LR, and 9mm but the shortages were cleared up relatively quickly -- within a couple of months -- and these shortages occurred circa 2K4 and 2K5.
So, the NRA ought to actually find out the facts by getting actual Class V consumption data, get up to date tables of organization so they can see who in these units uses what types of ammunition, take the TOE authorized personnel numbers and reduce them by 15%, then see how much ammo is consumed by what MOS during a year.
5.56 Ball? I have never seen a Regular outfit not get as much as they wanted, providing they actually requested it.
LR1955
This is why I view the NRA and the American Rifleman as unreliable sources when it comes to the military. I can't count the number of times some moron from the NRA has made the same stupid statement without stating how they came up with their numbers.
I imagine that their author either used anecdotal evidence or maybe found a STRAC manual (ignoring its date) and did some basic math based off of authorizations and units at full strength.
It may be true for CS and CSS units but it damn sure isn't for the Infantry or SF. And it is only true for the CS and CSS if their Commanders failed to ask for more ammo to train their Soldiers. I have not seen one unit commander at Battalion or Brigade level denied 5.56 because they shot more than their STRAC allowance for a year. This goes along with a CSA policy that originated in the early part of the GWOT where it was emphasized that every Soldier is an Infantryman and must train with their individual weapons.
When Infantry units do CQM training, it is not uncommon for them to blow through 400 - 500 rounds per man per day -- for a number of days. That 1200 number would be used up within three days of any conventional Infantry unit running any sort of CQM training. And they will do this type of training regularly throughout a year. As well as weapons density training, live fire training, zero and qualification, and probably a couple other ammo intensive training subjects I can't remember right now.
Although our guys are far better marksmen than probably any military on earth and particularly the enemies we are fighting today, blowing more ammo out of a carbine doesn't make anyone a better marksman -- combat, competitive, hunter, LEA, etc. That part the Army doesn't get as they still think that if 200 rounds in one day per man is good, 400 rounds in one day must be twice as good.
Siince the GWOT, there has not been any limit on 5.56 ball that I can recall. There has been shortages of 7.62 linked, .50 cal M-2 Ball linked, M-118 SB and LR, and 9mm but the shortages were cleared up relatively quickly -- within a couple of months -- and these shortages occurred circa 2K4 and 2K5.
So, the NRA ought to actually find out the facts by getting actual Class V consumption data, get up to date tables of organization so they can see who in these units uses what types of ammunition, take the TOE authorized personnel numbers and reduce them by 15%, then see how much ammo is consumed by what MOS during a year.
5.56 Ball? I have never seen a Regular outfit not get as much as they wanted, providing they actually requested it.
LR1955