When entered the military it was at the [View all]

[kairos12]

Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2023, 11:59 AM - Edit history (4)

end of of the Vietnam War. I was stationed in Germany we these problems: rampart undiagnosed PTSD, drug abuse, racial tension, crumbling barracks, poverty wages, a civilian population who often resentful of our presence, marital infidelity, incompetent leaders, aging equipment, run down barracks, little or no recreational equipment, etc.

Despite these pressures, one thing I never faced, the prospect of a shoot out in the barracks. Why?

All the weapons: 45s, 81mm mortars, M60 MGs, M203s, 50 Caliber MGS, and yes this one, M16A1s were locked up and accounted for in the arms room.

This weapons security was paramount even given the policy our entire brigade had to be clear of the barracks, with all weapons and vehicles, within 1 hour of an alert. That was 5 Battalions worth of equipment and arms. We never missed this deadline.

The fact the near equivalent to this weapon is freely available to every rube on the street never ceases to equally amaze and appall me.

Insane.