A good friend of mine has an Academy graduate son in advanced training at Kingsville in the T-45. Dad would like to buy the son a graduation gift pistol that he can carry in his operational squadron. I'm trying to help him with parameters, but I'm seeing some conflicting info on the net. It seems the issued sidearms are Berettas or Sig P228s. I know it's an obscure question, but does anyone here know what the "official" stance is on personal sidearms? It seems that maybe whatever rules exist can be bent by individual squadron COs. Am I correct though, that he will have to qualify with whatever he carries?
Naval aviator pistol question
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A good friend of mine has an Academy graduate son in advanced training at Kingsville in the T-45. Dad would like to buy the son a graduation gift pistol that he can carry in his operational squadron. I'm trying to help him with parameters, but I'm seeing some conflicting info on the net. It seems the issued sidearms are Berettas or Sig P228s. I know it's an obscure question, but does anyone here know what the "official" stance is on personal sidearms? It seems that maybe whatever rules exist can be bent by individual squadron COs. Am I correct though, that he will have to qualify with whatever he carries?
Oscar Zulu
Member
During the first gulf war a buddy of mine in a FA-18 carried a Glock 9mm. The first one I had ever seen. We went out to my farm so he could practice with it before he went. In my recollection the pilots were not happy with what they were to be issued so they did a group buy as a squadron. That was a while ago.
OZ
OZ
1968hawkeye
US Veteran
I can't speak to the Navy and privately owned sidearms. However, my niece is graduating from UNC Chapel Hill and will also receive her commission as an Ensign in the US Navy. The family (Aunt, and three Uncles are giving her a dress sword for her commissioning. Then she is going to medical school all paid for by the USN.
Way to go Lizzie.
Hawkeye
Way to go Lizzie.
Hawkeye
DJINCO
US Veteran
Personal firearms are not allowed while on duty. If the Navy wants you to have a gun, they will issue it to you.
If Ensign or JG shows up with a personal firearm, I expect that he will soon get the callsign "Rambo" or "John Wayne"; after he gets a good chewing from the CO & XO.
My experience... 24 years active duty Navy LDO.
If Ensign or JG shows up with a personal firearm, I expect that he will soon get the callsign "Rambo" or "John Wayne"; after he gets a good chewing from the CO & XO.
My experience... 24 years active duty Navy LDO.
safearm
US Veteran
I retired from the Air Force/Air National Guard a little over a year ago. AF instructions specifically forbid the carrying of personally owned firearms. CENTCOM (where we're fighting)rules also specifically prohibit personally owned firearms, although some people, from every service, push the limits. I've yet to see any one disciplined; more likely they are told to take it off, put it away, and carry what's been issued. For a naval officer, a ceremonial sword, which is a required uniform item, is a more practical gift, however, an academy gradute probably already has one.
Thanks. Yes, he has the sword. I know that at times, carrier pilots have been allowed to use personally owned sidearms in lieu of the issued pistol. I'm guessing that is not institutional policy, but I've been unable to find anything definitive.
"If Ensign or JG shows up with a personal firearm, I expect that he will soon get the callsign "Rambo" or "John Wayne"; after he gets a good chewing from the CO & XO."
Good point...I'm sure his dad doesn't want to cause him any problems.
"If Ensign or JG shows up with a personal firearm, I expect that he will soon get the callsign "Rambo" or "John Wayne"; after he gets a good chewing from the CO & XO."
Good point...I'm sure his dad doesn't want to cause him any problems.
GatorFarmer
Member
The ship's captain - if going to a carrier - and/or squadron commander are the governing authorities. Squadron CO's have a certain amount of leeway regarding approving what items of aviation survival gear are used in a particular squadron and there is some variance.
A ship's captain also has a fair amount of say as to what goes on aboard their ship.
Photo evidence abounds of Navy and Airforce pilots with personal sidearms from Gulf War One (covered in Guns and Ammo at the time as well), the Serbian air campaign and to a lesser extent the current Iraq war.
Talk to whoever runs the aviation survival gear section at the first operational squadron assigned to and see what they do.
A ship's captain also has a fair amount of say as to what goes on aboard their ship.
Photo evidence abounds of Navy and Airforce pilots with personal sidearms from Gulf War One (covered in Guns and Ammo at the time as well), the Serbian air campaign and to a lesser extent the current Iraq war.
Talk to whoever runs the aviation survival gear section at the first operational squadron assigned to and see what they do.
d hepler
Member
I was aircrew in VN and my home base was Atsugi Japan. We had a great exchange (PX) and the second floor had a nice gun store. I bought a 4" Python (new) for around $125.00, I carried that for 4 years then transferred to Whidbey Island WA and sold it. I still kick myself in the ass.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I remember reading a review many years ago on the S&W model 39 by charlie askins SON! He was a tanker I belive, and praised it and pictures showed him wearing it probley in viet nam. Funny, I never seen any writeups on him before or since, have any of you?
jag312
Member
How about a Randall knife? In Viet Nam, anyone who had a Randall had gold. A friend's oldest son, a Major in the Marine Corps and a pilot, carried a Randall. I bought it for him.
steveno
Member
the current wait on a randall is 5 years but I believe they have a special policy for the military and will supply the knife in a lot less time. A #1 Randall would be a very good choice
GatorFarmer
Member
I remember him becoming a Captain and writing articles under his own name for gun mags in the mid 60s. Maybe he was KIA?
1968hawkeye
US Veteran
When researching a source for the sword that we are giving our niece for her commissioning in the Navy, I found it interesting that a sworn was not a required item for a Naval Officer, however, for a Marine Officer it is a required uniform item. Go figure.
Hawkeye
A sword is a required uniform item for LCDR and above, unless uniform regs have changed since I was in.
A Randall Model 15 "Airman" knife would be a great gift and would probably present fewer problems than a handgun. Several online knife dealers carry them in stock for immediate delivery. I believe one is currently listed on Ebay.
Texas Star
US Veteran
If you buy a Randall, look at the Model 5 with five-inch blade. I understand that it will fit the issue sheath on the survival vest. Randall will know; some Naval aviator used to order these for his unit. I think they had black Micarta handles. The problem will be finding one without a long wait. Fallkniven's S-1 model is similar, and available without a wait. However, the utilitarian Thermorun handle isn't as nice as the Randall handles. Fallkniven knives have passed stringent US tests, and are authorized for unit purchases. I gave my son one, but he decided that it was too nice to carry in Iraq, and took a Ka-Bar USMC knife.
At one time, personal handguns were more common. I think it was during the Clinton years that regs were tightened to generally prohibit personal handguns. If you find a loophole, good on ya. Pilots are probably the most likely people in the military to slip past such regulations, if anyone can.
T-Star
At one time, personal handguns were more common. I think it was during the Clinton years that regs were tightened to generally prohibit personal handguns. If you find a loophole, good on ya. Pilots are probably the most likely people in the military to slip past such regulations, if anyone can.
T-Star
armenius
US Veteran
In an Interceptor Squadron USAF during the '50s Cold War, I carried a 2nd Gen Colt SAA 45 in a Lawrence shoulder holster.Didn't want the alloy 38 Spec.Later a Flight Commander broke out an original Colt in 38-40 in an old western rig.Another carried a Browning HiPower.Nobody ever complained.
Doug M.
Member
If a commemorative pistol is the goal, get one without regard to the idea of carrying it on duty. The military has become so hoplophobic that the replies about it being a poor idea are on target.
