04-13-2014, 07:06 PM
The biggest obstacle is changing calibers of the most prolific small arms, which are 5.56-based carbines and rifles currently in the system. The assumption is that such a change is necessary, which is one that I can't agree with.
You can't reasonably justify to me that we should reduce the amount of ammunition capacity for soldiers so that they can engage targets outside of their normal duty position, with training they don't have, in the rare circumstances of Central Asian mountains. It's going to be a hard sell for any Army with even gullible decision-makers, since the benefits are extremely marginal, and the penalties are vast and real.
I still have yet to see someone openly state, then support how it makes sense for the following duty positions to be equipped with a weapon capable of 1000m+ effective range, with reduced basic load capacity, increased weight, and increased recoil:
* Platoon Leader/Commander (He should really have a Commando variant carbine with even a shorter barrel than an M4, like 11.5", lightweight blaster, slung on his side most of the time with a retaining device to keep it out of the way.)
* Platoon Sergeant ( A director of traffic and tactical/logistics advisor to the Lieutenant, co-locates with the Platoon Medic & controls the casualty collection point, helps emplace the gun teams, requests ammo and supplies for the platoon according to the needs of the Squad Leaders)
* Platoon RTO (Radio-Telephone Operator, co-locates with the Platoon Leader at all times, should have an 11.5" carbine weighing about 5lbs)
* Combat Engineers (Responsible for explosive breaches and disposal of enemy munitions in support of the Rifle Platoon or Company they are attached to.)
* Air Force TAC-P's (call in CAS, need 5lb carbines as well, slung to the side and out of the way.)
* Ammo Bearer
* Assistant Machine Gunner
* Javelin Gunner/Anti-Armor Weapon Specialist
* Indirect Fire Team Leader (Mortar NCO)
* Indirect Fire Weapon Specialists (Mortarmen) These guys need even lighter weapons than the M4. Hump some 60mm mortar rounds, a base plate, the tube, the computer, aiming stakes, plus your packing list and the tripod and you will understand why. The M4 was a heaven-send for mortars.
* Everyone in the Company HQ, to include the CO, 1SG, Company RTO's, XO, Supply, Medics, drivers....do they all need 1000m capable rifles or carbines?
Nobody is going to offer an argument to equip all these guys with 6.5mm 1000m-capable weapons, because it's a really bad idea, yet that is what adopting a "GPC" means.
You can't reasonably justify to me that we should reduce the amount of ammunition capacity for soldiers so that they can engage targets outside of their normal duty position, with training they don't have, in the rare circumstances of Central Asian mountains. It's going to be a hard sell for any Army with even gullible decision-makers, since the benefits are extremely marginal, and the penalties are vast and real.
I still have yet to see someone openly state, then support how it makes sense for the following duty positions to be equipped with a weapon capable of 1000m+ effective range, with reduced basic load capacity, increased weight, and increased recoil:
* Platoon Leader/Commander (He should really have a Commando variant carbine with even a shorter barrel than an M4, like 11.5", lightweight blaster, slung on his side most of the time with a retaining device to keep it out of the way.)
* Platoon Sergeant ( A director of traffic and tactical/logistics advisor to the Lieutenant, co-locates with the Platoon Medic & controls the casualty collection point, helps emplace the gun teams, requests ammo and supplies for the platoon according to the needs of the Squad Leaders)
* Platoon RTO (Radio-Telephone Operator, co-locates with the Platoon Leader at all times, should have an 11.5" carbine weighing about 5lbs)
* Combat Engineers (Responsible for explosive breaches and disposal of enemy munitions in support of the Rifle Platoon or Company they are attached to.)
* Air Force TAC-P's (call in CAS, need 5lb carbines as well, slung to the side and out of the way.)
* Ammo Bearer
* Assistant Machine Gunner
* Javelin Gunner/Anti-Armor Weapon Specialist
* Indirect Fire Team Leader (Mortar NCO)
* Indirect Fire Weapon Specialists (Mortarmen) These guys need even lighter weapons than the M4. Hump some 60mm mortar rounds, a base plate, the tube, the computer, aiming stakes, plus your packing list and the tripod and you will understand why. The M4 was a heaven-send for mortars.
* Everyone in the Company HQ, to include the CO, 1SG, Company RTO's, XO, Supply, Medics, drivers....do they all need 1000m capable rifles or carbines?
Nobody is going to offer an argument to equip all these guys with 6.5mm 1000m-capable weapons, because it's a really bad idea, yet that is what adopting a "GPC" means.