Life in the Sand Pit -- A Clean Weapon is a Happy Weapon
Monday April 30, 2007
Everyone knows that keeping your weapon clean in the Combat Zone is crucial as your life could depend on it. It’s an even more arduous challenge in the desert with the blowing dust and sand. During your deployment you’ll clean your weapon at least once a day if you leave the wire. If you never leave base, you’ll still pack it everywhere you go and need to clean it at least once a week for inspections.
If you’re anything like our good friend, S.W. Foster (a Sergeant in the Army Reserves), the only thing worse than cleaning weapons is shining boots. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about the latter any more, and here is a very easy and efficient weapon cleaning technique Sergeant Foster was taught before deploying and used with great success during his entire tour in Iraq. This is part I of what we hope will be a continuing series about Life in the Sand Pit.
Comments
Periodic visits to the motor pool = excellent weapons cleaning opportunity…one usually finds a source of compressed air…just stay away from anything which hints of lube. Also, because of the heat, our motor mechs did most of the wrench-turning from oh-oh dark thirty until London Broil time…therefore, time your visits accordingly.
The SSG
Putting a condom over the bore of ones rifle when out in the field is a start.
But the real problem is the army it’s self. The army fails to train their non-combat mos troops in proper weapons care, rifle marksmanship and individual combat training.