Post by Sgt K USMC on Feb 27, 2008 2:57:17 GMT -5
It occurred to me after reading Whim's resume' that I have not actually posted any of my qualifications anywhere on the forum to this point, for all some of you know, I was a cook or something.
So without further ado:
I joined the Marine Corps as a guaranteed contract 0311 (Infantryman) in 1994 at the age of 19, my 20th birthday actually happening 3 days after I arrived on Parris Island. Since age 5 I KNEW I was going to be a Marine, so this was the greatest birthday present I could have ever gotten.
I served for 6 years 3 months 8 days 14 hours and about 30 minutes on active duty, my term of service ending due to medical issues on March 10th 2000. It broke my heart.
During the period of time that I was active duty I had almost every job one could have, save cook and mechanic, due to a humanitarian transfer that was required after my youngest sons birth.
Shortly after arriving at my first duty station I was selected for additional training outside of my MOS as a Scout Sniper with the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines STA unit, due to my exceedingly high rifle score at Paris Island and an initial shooting indoctrination course with my new unit.
I feel it is important to point out at this point that this is different training, or at least was at the time, than is offered to Scout Snipers operating at levels higher than Battalion level. I know this may sound slightly confusing so let me explain.
Every unit has/had a group of specialists that worked only for the Battalion they were assigned to. Some were heavy weapons specialists, some were urban warfare specialists and others, like myself, were weapons specialists and snipers. We were trained at the battalion level so that the battalion would not have to risk loosing us to someone else after going through the Quantico Scout Sniper training program, which is considered a Marine Corps wide training and development center. Our training was pretty much the same, only the location was different.
During training we not only learned the specifics of the various sniper rifles in US service, but also learned how to use almost every other modern weapon that can be found planet wide, just in case we may find ourselves behind the lines and in need of one. To this end we received limited training in almost every military small arm, machinegun and crew served weapon that you can think of, you name it, I have probably shot it, taken it apart, put it back together again and know which countries use it, off the top of my head.
Aside from this specific training I also received a rather unique experience due to my humanitarian transfers in that I was able to be farmed out to other units and learn new weapons and weapon systems. So on top of all the small arms, I also know all of the big guns in the military inventory as well (aside from simple recognition) To include mortars, howitzers and mini-guns. So again, you name it, I have probably fired it at least once.
And lastly, personal civilian use:
I have owned a good number of firearms in my life, at this second, as we speak, my wife and I own 10 firearms between the two of us, there was a point in time that I owned 19 at one time, which earned me the nick name of 'Gun Bunny' when I went to turn in my weapons to the armory in Millington TN. and was advised that I doubled the number of weapons they had stored there.
I shoot at least once a week, bi-weekly at the absolute least, and currently volunteer my time at the local indoor shooting range as an armorer's apprentice. So while I may not have actually shot every weapon out there, I do indeed have a good deal of knowledge about most of them, at least on a technical basis, or know where to find first hand knowledge for any of your shooting and firearms related questions.
I am also well versed on the various firearms regulations and laws nation wide and can answer most questions asked regarding general firearms laws. Do NOT however simply take my word for it on this case, as laws change rapidly where firearms are concerned, your first best bet for the correct answer will ALWAYS be your local police department.
Additionally, I WILL NOT be giving instructions to anyone on how to modify a weapon to fire fully auto, or to create silencers etc… If anyone else engages in any illegal modification posts they will be removed as soon as they are noticed.
So, now that you have my firearms specific qualifications… fire away.
So without further ado:
I joined the Marine Corps as a guaranteed contract 0311 (Infantryman) in 1994 at the age of 19, my 20th birthday actually happening 3 days after I arrived on Parris Island. Since age 5 I KNEW I was going to be a Marine, so this was the greatest birthday present I could have ever gotten.
I served for 6 years 3 months 8 days 14 hours and about 30 minutes on active duty, my term of service ending due to medical issues on March 10th 2000. It broke my heart.
During the period of time that I was active duty I had almost every job one could have, save cook and mechanic, due to a humanitarian transfer that was required after my youngest sons birth.
Shortly after arriving at my first duty station I was selected for additional training outside of my MOS as a Scout Sniper with the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines STA unit, due to my exceedingly high rifle score at Paris Island and an initial shooting indoctrination course with my new unit.
I feel it is important to point out at this point that this is different training, or at least was at the time, than is offered to Scout Snipers operating at levels higher than Battalion level. I know this may sound slightly confusing so let me explain.
Every unit has/had a group of specialists that worked only for the Battalion they were assigned to. Some were heavy weapons specialists, some were urban warfare specialists and others, like myself, were weapons specialists and snipers. We were trained at the battalion level so that the battalion would not have to risk loosing us to someone else after going through the Quantico Scout Sniper training program, which is considered a Marine Corps wide training and development center. Our training was pretty much the same, only the location was different.
During training we not only learned the specifics of the various sniper rifles in US service, but also learned how to use almost every other modern weapon that can be found planet wide, just in case we may find ourselves behind the lines and in need of one. To this end we received limited training in almost every military small arm, machinegun and crew served weapon that you can think of, you name it, I have probably shot it, taken it apart, put it back together again and know which countries use it, off the top of my head.
Aside from this specific training I also received a rather unique experience due to my humanitarian transfers in that I was able to be farmed out to other units and learn new weapons and weapon systems. So on top of all the small arms, I also know all of the big guns in the military inventory as well (aside from simple recognition) To include mortars, howitzers and mini-guns. So again, you name it, I have probably fired it at least once.
And lastly, personal civilian use:
I have owned a good number of firearms in my life, at this second, as we speak, my wife and I own 10 firearms between the two of us, there was a point in time that I owned 19 at one time, which earned me the nick name of 'Gun Bunny' when I went to turn in my weapons to the armory in Millington TN. and was advised that I doubled the number of weapons they had stored there.
I shoot at least once a week, bi-weekly at the absolute least, and currently volunteer my time at the local indoor shooting range as an armorer's apprentice. So while I may not have actually shot every weapon out there, I do indeed have a good deal of knowledge about most of them, at least on a technical basis, or know where to find first hand knowledge for any of your shooting and firearms related questions.
I am also well versed on the various firearms regulations and laws nation wide and can answer most questions asked regarding general firearms laws. Do NOT however simply take my word for it on this case, as laws change rapidly where firearms are concerned, your first best bet for the correct answer will ALWAYS be your local police department.
Additionally, I WILL NOT be giving instructions to anyone on how to modify a weapon to fire fully auto, or to create silencers etc… If anyone else engages in any illegal modification posts they will be removed as soon as they are noticed.
So, now that you have my firearms specific qualifications… fire away.