Familiarity W/ Carbines

Good day everyone, hope you all are well and enjoying the first few weeks of the new year. So today we'll spend some time getting familiarized with the M4 carbine, the four weapons conditions, weapon safety rules, and the types of ammunition for the M4.

A Marine/civilian must know the condition of his/her weapon at all times. When taking charge of a weapon in any situation, you must determine its condition. A weapon’s readiness is described by one of four conditions.

Condition Four: Magazine inserted, bolt forward, no round in chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

Condition Three: Magazine inserted, bolt forward, no round in chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

Condition Two: Not applicable for the M16/M4 does not apply.

Condition One: Magazine inserted, round in the chamber, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

SAFETY RULES: The following rules apply to all weapon systems at all times without exception.

SAFETY RULE 1 Treat every weapon as if it were loaded...

Don't trust your memory or make any assumptions about a weapon's safety status. Always confirm condition of your weapon. Never hand a weapon to anyone without clearing it. Clearing is a procedure for ensuring there is no ammunition in the weapon. Never move in front of a weapon held by someone else. Never engage in or tolerate horseplay with or around weapons.

SAFETY RULE 2 Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot...

Always be aware of muzzle direction and your surroundings. This ensures you will not unintentionally point your weapon at anything other than an intended target. If you do not know what is beyond your vision in any unprotected direction, do not point your weapon in that direction. Never allow the muzzle of your weapon to point at any part of your body.

SAFETY RULE 3 Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire...

Never be guilty of a negligent discharge. A common reaction to a sudden shock or loss of balance while handling a weapon is an unintentional tightening of the grip. If your finger is off the trigger, you will eliminate the potential for firing accidentally.

SAFETY RULE 4 Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire...

The SAFE position on the selector lever is a built-in feature that has only one function. That function is to prevent inadvertent firing of the rifle. When patrolling or walking it is possible for the trigger to be unintentionally depressed by objects (e.g., branches, wire, gear) encountered en route. Keeping the weapon on safe ensures the weapon will not fire if the trigger is accidentally engaged.

Ammunition:

M193 Ball: This ammunition is a 5.56mm center fire cartridge with a 55-grain gilded metal jacket, lead alloy core bullet. The primer and case are waterproofed. The M193 ball ammunition has no identifying marks.

M855 Ball: This ammunition is the primary ammunition for the M16A2 rifle. Identified with green tips, its 5.56mm center fire cartridge has better penetration than the M193. It has a 62- grain gilded-metal jacket bullet. The rear two-thirds of the core of the projectile is lead alloy and the front one-third is a solid steel penetrator. The primer and case are waterproofed.

M196 and M856 Tracer: This ammunition has the same basic characteristics as ball ammunition. Identified by a bright red tip, its primary uses include observation firing, incendiary effect, and signaling. Tracer ammunition should be intermixed with ball ammunition in a ratio no greater than 1:1. The preferred ratio is one tracer to four balls (1:4) to prevent metal fouling in the bore.

M199 Dummy: This ammunition has six grooves along the side of the case. It contains no propellants or primer. The primer well is open to prevent damage to the firing pin. The dummy cartridge is used during dry fire and other training purposes.

M-4 Carbine Specs

Caliber: 5.56

Weight (W/ 26 rnd mag) 6.9 lbs

Length: 29.75' w/ butt-stock closed 33' w/ butt-stock open

Cyclic Rate: 800 rounds per minute

Semiautomatic: 45 RPM

Burst: 90 RPM

Sustained Rate Of Fire: 12-15 RPM

Individual Targets: 500 meters

Area Targets: 600 meters

Maximum Targets: 3600 meters

I hope this helped familiarize you guys a bit, always remember to abide by these safety rules and weapon conditions.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

BAH to increase for 2017

Good day folks! So this just in--->>> Basic Allowance Housing (BAH) rate will increase to an average of $41 per month January 1. The calculation used to determine it shrinks the amount of housing costs it is designed to cover.

BAH is re-calculated yearly using a snap-shot of housing cost in each region. For 2017, the rate is designed to cover 97 percent of troops' housing costs, which is a one percent drop from last year also the third step in a congressional plan to reduce rates by five percent over the next five years. The rate also no longer covers the cost of rental insurance.

The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) rate for 2017 will remain un-changed from 2016 at $253.63 for officers and $368.29 for enlisted personnel. BAS is calculated based on the average price of food. BAH and BAS changes will be reflected in troops January 15th pay-check.

Troops in areas or pay-grades set to receive a BAH rate increase will receive the new, higher rate beginning in January. Those who live in an area with a rate reduction for 2017 will be grandfathered into the old, higher rate until they leave the area or change rank. If they are promoted and their new rank receives a lower rate, they will continue to receive their old, higher rate.

There are almost 2,000 troops stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, and they will see the largest increase in BAH for 2017 at 19 percent. An increase from $1,374 for an E-4 with dependents to $1,641.

Troops in Seattle will also see a major increase as well for their second year in a row. The average rate there will rise 13 percent for 2017. An increase from $2,073 for an E-4 with dependents to $2,373.

There are also areas facing larger rate drops for instance, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where the rate will decrease by nine percent. Going from $858 for an E-4 with dependents currently living there to $789 for those new to the region.

Minot, North Dakota, also will face a major drop this year, with a rate decrease of 11 percent. Which goes from $1,308 for an E-4 with dependents currently living there to $1,170 for new residents.

Minot was the recipient of a 41 percent BAH increase in 2012 when flooding combined with an oil boom causing a major housing shortage.

I urge you all to please keep up with current events, you very well could be affected by certain things happening around us.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

New Year, New Rules, PFT-CFT

Good day all, so the United States Marine Corps has updated the physical and combat fitness tests.

Beginning January 1, Marines will be able to take the Physical Fitness Test and Combat Fitness Test more than once to improve their scores, if not happy with previous scores. 

Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller is also allowing older Marines in their upper 40’s to row five kilometers on a rowing machine. Rather than running for the Physical Fitness Test.

The Marine Corps has made great effort to revamp both the PFT and CFT. Starting on Jan. 1, the tests will have updates and implementations. 

One of the biggest and most noticeable changes coming to the PFT in 2017 is the elimination of pull-ups. Male and female Marines as well as poolees and officer candidates can opt to do pushups rather than pull-ups.

Marines will now have to declare if they will do pushups or pull-ups before taking the test. They wont be allowed to switch from one exercise to the other while taking the test.

Here is the catch… Marines can only score a maximum score of 70 out of 100 possible points if they only do pushups for the upper-body portion of PFT. In order to score a full 100 points, Marines will have to do pull-ups.

The Corps is also re-hashing its weight charts for women in order to reflect that women put on muscle as they train. Female Marines will be allowed to be 5 to 7 pounds heavier, while women in other heights will be able to be 9 pounds heavier.

In 2017, Marines will need to get 235 points on both the PFT and CFT in order to get a first-class score on both tests. Prior to the changes the max score was varied by age.

  
Marines who score a 285 on both the PFT and CFT will be exempt from weight limits. If Marines score 250 points or higher on both tests, they will be afforded an additional 1 percent of body fat.

All Marines will have to increase the number crunches  in order to get a perfect score on

their PFT. Male Marines in the ages of 26 and 35 years old will have to do 115 crunches which is an increase of 15. Females Marines between the ages of 26 and 30 years will have to do 110 crunches, which is an increase of 10.

Men and women will also have to lift the 30-pound ammunition can more times as part of the CFT. Men 25 years old and younger will have to do 67 ammo-can lifts to pass and between 106 and 120 lifts for a max score, up from 45 times and 91 times.

Women who currently need to do at least 20 ammo-can lifts to pass will have to do at least 30 lifts next year. Getting a perfect score will require between 66 and 75 lifts depending on age.

Well cheers to revamping, lets see if those scores increase or not around the corps.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill 

New Firearms For MARSOC

Good day folks!! hope everyone is enjoying their Monday morning as we have one day before our Presidential Election. :)

So yeah, Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) decided to scrap its custom .45 pistols and lend its elite fighters with the Glock 19.

MARSOC hasn't responded to questions from anyone as of yet pertaining to the switch of firearms. A source who shall remain anonymous said the command made the decision a few weeks ago.

The switch of firearms, was first reported by the Marine Corps in February of this year. Stating that MARSOC operators will carry Glock pistols, since many of the elite Raiders prefer the popular Glock 19 9mm handgun over the .45 pistols.

The 9mm pistol has a polymer frame as well as a 15 round magazine, and its very easy to maintain and reliable.

The Marine Corps recently completed an extensive search for a new MARSOC pistol in 2012. Colt Defense was awarded a contract $22.5 million in order to produce upwards of 10,000 Close Quarter Pistols.

The custom 1911 took the place of the fleet of worn out MARSOC M45 pistols. Which has a rail for mounting lights, as well as custom triggers, manual safety, and improved ergonomics. There is also the Tritium sights which glow in low-light conditions. The new .45s are extremely nice, however, many MARSOC operators prefer the Glock 19.

9mm ammunition and Glock parts are available in most parts of the world. A big reason for the decision to switch the usage of firearms.

Isaac J. Hall ii

#SemperKill

Gratitude From A Marine

So yeah I just wanted to say thank you...

Thank you for allowing me to travel the world, I had the pleasure of meeting incredible people from all over the globe.

You see prior to the marines I never flew a plane, I never even left my home state for that matter. I was also very under-developed as I had no confidence in myself, being very timid. I mean I played sports my whole life, yet I had never learned how to be a leader.

Once I entered this beloved fraternity I was forced to grow the fuck I up rather quickly. As you'll make decisions that could very well affect the lives of those around you.

I never imagined firing my rifle in combat, nor have I ever envisioned a brother of mine bleeding out profusely as he was hit by enemy fire.

I was pushed as far as my limits go, we're talking mental and physical here. I've cried in anger privately as fellow marines were harmed.

I've panicked internally with fear as enemy fire is unpredictable...

And yes, I've cheered with great joy as I witnessed Hell-Fire destroy enemy fighters.--> :)Poverty is also something I look at completely different now. As I seen children in fields with no shoes and ragged clothes. Families with no money or food to live all while being centuries behind America. There are areas with no electricity or running water for that matter.For a quick glance you make eye contact and instantaneously you see the looks of utter defeat and hopelessness.

I'm now more thankful to be an American, I/we could have been born anywhere on earth, however, we're here. I'm also extremely happy to have seen and experienced what I did.I can honestly and sincerely say this was one of the best decisions I've ever made.United States Marine Corps, I appreciate your patience, your tough love and most of all your commitment to be the very best.

 Semper

Isaac J. Hall II

Fire-Fight S.T.A. Platoon

After being in their positions for a few hours, one of the groups was compromised by a man wandering in the field. He then ran away after seeing two Marine snipers in the grass. Ironically a bit later he came upon a second team… this time, however, he fell to the ground clutching his chest in a fearful oh my God type of way. He then ran to tell others of what he had seen.

Being that the S.T.A (Surveillance Target Acquisition)-(Scout Snipers) marines were compromised they went to an abandoned compound. The purpose of the move was to wait till night fall in order to return safely, during the wait the Marines were engaged by a small team of insurgents.

There was a Marine watching the north wall and said there were two men running towards the wall with something in their hands. Those same men threw grenades, over the wall before the Marines could react.

One Marine was hit in the back with a grenade, but it didn’t go off … He picked it up immediately and threw it back, the grenade went off mid-air as he launched it back at enemy fighters. The other grenade luckily didn’t go off.

The S.T.A. Marines began to return fire immediately. Three Marines were injured as one was hit in the abdomen, another was hit with a fragmentation grenade; and then one was hit with a piece of shrapnel in the ankle, thus causing it to break.

The Marines called for support and then began to aid the wounded. All while returning fire with M-4 rifles, 203’s, and squad automatic weapons until insurgents began to egress.

The injured Marine that took shrapnel to the ankle, was full of adrenaline and able to assist his fellow injured Marines. He aided in helping to get out of the kill zone into a safer area and also carried one of the Marines to the helicopter that was evacuating the casualties.

The platoon commander proudly recounted the incident. “If Marines hadn’t applied their combat life saving skills, two of the three Marines wouldn’t have made it.”

The squad was compromised, however, they were able to repel an enemy attack and eliminate the immediate threat. All while being the smallest sniper platoon the commander has ever served with.

“We’ve performed six named operations,” said platoon commander. “Those missions have all gone successfully and made dramatic changes that a regular squad may even have trouble with. My Marines did it and did it well.”

The Marines in 2/8’s Sniper Platoon are now setting their sights on future missions. Training continues in order to remain ready and deadly. 

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill

Conversing With A P.I.G.

Today we’ll be speaking with Nathaniel Hall. This gentleman was a part of Surveillance and Target Acquisition platoon.

**What made you want to make this move as you were already an Infantry Marine?

Honestly, I joined the Marines because I knew nothing about the military but always loved the Special Forces mentality and training.  After realizing I couldn’t lateral move out of my battalion, Scout Snipers was the next best move to make.  

**What was indoctrination like and how challenging was it for you both mentally and physically?

The indoc was extremely sleep deprived, mentally and physically draining.  We started off running a PFT which was a 3-mile timed run which had to be done under 19 minutes.  Then we ran 10+ miles after while conducting a gear inspection in between all of this.  Then we had to head out to the field where the rest of the training began.  We conducted a lot of land navigation, mission planning, classes, physical training and stalking movements.

** What are Marines like in S.T.A. Platoon??

For the most part they are A-Type personalities which to me is a combination of mentally and physically tough individuals, peak conditioning, motivated, leaders and team players.  

** Explain the difference between P.I.G.’s –&– H.O.G.’s

 P.I.G.S: Professionally Instructed Gunmen

 H.O.G.S: Hunter of Gunmen.

HOGS are school trained snipers where PIGS are taught by the HOGS throughout their time in the STA Platoon.

** In S.T.A. you work in smaller teams when patrolling, explain the rationale behind this?We work in smaller teams because we conduct most of our missions over night.  You need to be able to be agile and tactical which calls for smaller teams.

** Please tell us the story behind your Purple Heart…

Honestly, this link (2/8 Scout Snipers) does a better job explaining this than I can.  Due to a concussion and severe hearing loss led to the Purple Heart.

** Do you feel you’ve been taken care of as far as education and medical benefits since your EAS from Marines?

Education, VA and benefits has always been a hot topic.  One of the things I learned the quickest when I was getting out of the Marines was that no one is going to do their job so you need to get what is yours.  This simply means whatever you are entitled to then follow through with those claims.  I have pursued my bachelors thanks to my benefits and currently in school for my masters as well thanks to my benefits.

** What are your true thoughts on the services aimed to help veterans transition to civilian life??

There is still a lack for these services, however there are plenty of motivated individuals who have paved the way for other veterans.  It is up to the veteran to seek these services and do not stop until you get what is yours.

** 22 Veterans commit suicide per day. Hence the hashtag #22 what are your thoughts and how can we prevent more suicide attempts??

There are groups out there trying to fight this but this is a battle that is hard to fight due to mental illnesses.  However, as a band of brothers we can call each other monthly, text, email and facebook one another in order to maintain communication.  SITREPS are always essential to weekend libo, training operations and team unity.

** Advice to Marines who want to go S.T.A. platoon???

Be able to carry more than 70+ lbs, have a good PFT score, understand the fundamentals behind land navigation, be a team player, be proficient in field craft and marksmanship.  

** Last question, what was your PFT score and can you still put those same numbers up??

My PFT score was always around 290 but unfortunately I could never get that one-two last pull ups.  Beats me as I have always trained for the pull-ups and lifted weights as well.  

 I appreciate your time in this interview. As well as your sacrifice for this country, thank you.

Isaac J. Hall II

#SemperKill