How important is marksmanship for OAS?

[Tetragrammaton]

Does it really matter that if I'm not proficient in shooting the service rifle if I am an admin clerk?

I mean really, what impact can it possibly have on my ability to perform my duties and responsibilities within my trade EVEN if on operational deployment.

My question is how important is marksmanship for non-combat arm trades?

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

Are you asking rhetorically or are you upset that you have been made to qualify in accordance with IBTS?

If you are a soldier you need to be able to do certain soldierly things.  One of those basic soldierly things is shoot your service rifle safely and accurately. 

Any soldier can suddenly find themselves in the position of having to shoot the enemy.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

I'm asking because I have been made to qualify in accordance with IBTS.

 

[aesop081]

I'm asking because I have been made to qualify in accordance with IBTS.

Rightfully so.

 

[PMedMoe]

Consider yourself lucky.  There are many people who don't even get to the ranges unless they are deploying.

 

[medicineman]

I'm asking because I have been made to qualify in accordance with IBTS.

I fail to see what the problem is - are you just whining because you know you're a bad shot, not comfortable with the weapon or the drills,or because you're a clerk and as such don't feely you're likely to see the wire, much less beyond it so why waste your time?

Just wondering - I generally would give my left nut to get on the range and actually shoot, but hey, I'm a medic, what use would I be in a firefight...oh wait, medics outside the wire get shot at, shoot back, get shot/blown up.  Same happens to clerks who might have to do escort, gate guard, or who are often part of force protection groups on ships.  But really, it's only your life and that of your fire team partner (or more depending on where you work) if you can't use your weapon properly.

MM

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I suppose you could always go turtle the next time your convoy\ FOB\ base \ etc gets attacked. I sure all the good shots won't mind surrounding and protecting you. :

 

[Tetragrammaton]

So the general consensus that everyone in the military, regardless of trade, assignment, or element, be trained to a level beyond simple familiarity of the rifle.

Is it reasonable to expect OAS members, given the limitations of time and budget, to develop the skill of marksmanship when we only get to live fire (about 120 rounds) on a range once a year, if at that?

 

 

[GAP]

Nobody that answered you initially said you had to achieve super ninja status, just basic capability to protect you and yours in an unlikely/unusual situation.

 

[medicineman]

Does your base have a Small Arms Trainer?  If so, and you're concerned about your shooting, find out how often your branch has assigned times for its pers to go over and practice - not quite the same as live, but pretty close and good for developing the technical skills needed to shoot properly.  There is also scenario training that can be done when your skills improve.  There is always time to do stuff - people have to be convinced that important stuff is important and make the time for it, and know what's available to make it happen.

MM 

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Thanks.

I will be asking my CoC for some time on the SATS this week.

 

[medicineman]

NP...hope it goes well.

MM

 

[ammocat]

It is a interesting point, how can someone become proficient with a weapon when they only get 120 rounds or less a year. I have often wonder if this is a result of the 5.56mm pencil. I have been on ranges numerous times where scores were adjusted to get everyone through. I wonder if this perception of everyone passing the PWT has caused the ammunition entitlement to be reduced over the years, thus bringing us down to the current levels.

 

[OldSolduer]

I'm asking because I have been made to qualify in accordance with IBTS.

Its required by decree of a whole bunch of people who have much more experience and knowledge and oh,,,,they out rank you.
It sounds to me like you don't care for it. You're SOLDIER first then a tradesman. Get over it.

 

[Towards_the_gap]

Does it really matter that if I'm not proficient in shooting the service rifle if I am an admin clerk?

I mean really, what impact can it possibly have on my ability to perform my duties and responsibilities within my trade EVEN if on operational deployment.

My question is how important is marksmanship for non-combat arm trades?

Because it is your job. PERIOD. If you don't like it go get an admin job with walmart and push paper there.

The last thing I want, as a combat arms soldier, is to know that I will have to potentially baby-sit some lazy-a**, chippy d*ckhead of a clerk who didn't think he needed to know how to engage targets accurately.

 

[Loachman]

Based upon Reply No 10, I don't think that he's complaining about having to do it as he seems quite willing to seek extra training. I think that he's questioning the expectations, given the limited amount of ammunition available annually.

 

[Towards_the_gap]

Fair one loachman, I just read it myself. If so good on ya OP for seeking to improve. If not, well initial reply still stands.

 

[PMedMoe]

I don't think anyone is expected to attain a marksman score on the range, just to be able to pass the test.