I guess I missed this thread the first time around, I'm glad it came around again so I can add my 2 cents worth...
First, I noticed that most of y'all are either USA or USMC, and most with experience around the Vietnam Era, plus or minus a few years on either side of 'Nam. We've also heard from a few Squids, 'cause the USN rightly decided that a 30 cal service weapon has a definite place on board ships because of the extended ranges one might expect using a rifle at sea.
When I joined the Navy, I went to basic training in Orlando, FL, starting on 1 Oct 78. Too young for VN, too old for the many fracases that followed starting in '91 and which still seem to be with us. My chosen career path, to be a Missile Technician aboard an SSBN, seemed to be one where I would received an absolute minimum of small arms training, as I was bound to a more 'technical' career field. After Boot Camp I was off to Sub School, then almost a year at Dam Neck, VA, for Advanced Electronic 'A' School and Poseidon Missile 'C' School. My first duty assignment had me deployed to Kings Bay, GA to the submarine tender stationed there, the USS Simon Lake. After my 2-year tour as a 'Tender Puke', I knew I was finally bound for a Boat, and it ended up being the USS Casimir Pulaski, SSBN 633 (Gold Crew). We affectionately called the 633 the 'Crazy Polack'. Left the service in '84 to turn my training into a career and never looked back.
When I was a young snot-nose, I was engaged with my local NRA Junior Rifle Team, and that's where I learned the basics of rifle marksmanship, using an old Remington 513T loaned to me by the club. That training served me in the military and throughout my shooting life to this day.
While on board the Simon Lake, all Missile Techs were assigned to the Weapons Dept, and we were all trained to serve as Security Detail, to augment our Marines (MARDET) who provided security during operations where we moved missiles or individual warheads. During these moves, or during security drills or events, we were issued small arms that included the M14, Remington 870 riot guns, and 1911s. During my early time on the Simon Lake, we received extensive training on these weapons. On a trip down to Mayport Naval Station, we were given an opportunity to shoot the M14 'For Record'. This was also the very first time I had held an M14 in my hands and it was, as it turned out, a pretty 'formative moment' for me. We received some basic handling instructions, which included a very detailed rundown on the sights and their proper operation. Then we were set loose to get the rifles sighted in so we could shoot for an official score. Once my sighting in was done, I knew I was VERY comfortable with this whole 'M14' thing, and we started on the record shots. We shot at subtended targets at a relatively short range. I dredged up all I could recall from my Junior NRA days, and found no problem hitting the middle with the M14, every single time. I very easily earned my Rifle Expert Medal that day, although I probably shot it at a much shorter range that most of y'all Soldiers or Marines had to. While I was still shooting those 30 'record' rounds, I made a vow to the Moon & Stars that I would OWN one of these as soon as I could afford it.
It took me 9 years to do so, well after my Navy time, and after I was stared on a career that might make me enough scratch to be able to afford one. In April, 1989, I traded an old 870, an Astra A-80, and $200 for a brand new SA M1A with a TRW barrel. I became involved with the NRA/DCM High Power Program, and discovered that earning an 'Expert' rating with the DCM was far and away more involved and difficult that my easy-peasy Navy experience. After a while I did it, and then Life got in between me and my High Power days, although I hope to shoot HP competition again one day before he Big Dirt Nap. I still have that first M1A, and all of my gear, so it just may happen.
After I was transferred to the submarine, we took the Pulaski (which had just completed an extended overhaul) out for a series of tests and operations that had to be completed by both crews before we could be given our 'Strategic Load-Out' of Trident I SLBMs. This gave us several opportunities, while operating near Andros Island in the Bahamas, to have what we called a 'Steel Beach' party, which was basically a cook-out on the Missile Deck, and included a Swim Call. During swim call, it was Navy procedure to have a 'Shark Watch' on duty up in the sail, armed with an M14, 'just in case'. Our 'swim call 'shark watch' was always a particular Torpeckerman 1st Class Named Conley, who was also our Ship's Armorer. Conley had an M14 with the selector/disconnector doo-dads installed. While we swam, we were really nervous about a shark showing up, not 'cause we thought we might get bit, but that we would probably get hit with that damn FA M14 in Coney's hands! Everyone on board called Conley's M14 'Otto' - get it?
Like most of y'all, I now own quite a few rifles, including at least two custom jobs (221 Fireball and 6mm PPC) that I use in local competitions, but if the sad day ever comes when I *must* pick up a rifle and put it to it's intended use, it WILL be my old M1A!
To me, the M14/M1a is not a rifle, it is THE Rifle!
Take care,
Tom
