Both the AF and Navy have quite a few MOS's that require extensive firearms training.Soccerdad1995 wrote:Maybe we should limit the "veteran" part to just Army and Marines and not necessarily include other non-combat branches. FWIW, my brother told me that he never fired a weapon of any kind during his time in Navy basic training, either.rotor wrote:Spent 2 weeks at Sheppard. They let us observe an enlisted man hold an AR-15 to his chin, shoot a watermelon which exploded, and that one single round was my total experience with firearms in the service. I had my own firearms of course. The point is that just because you are a veteran does not mean you know anything about firearms. I am also an experienced pilot with multiple ratings but never once went up in a military plane. I wish that i could have played with all of the toys but never did.clarionite wrote:How did you go through Basic and not fire a military weapon? I went through Army basic and fired Rifles, threw grenades and fired AT4 trainers.rotor wrote:FYI, although I had 8 years of active duty in the USAF I never once had any training in firearms or ever touched a military weapon. The closest I came to weapon training was watching an AR-15 shot at a watermelon. All firearm use that I had was on my own. The concept that military service and firearm training go hand in hand is not correct. Otherwise your project sounds great.
I have two kids in the USAF currently, and they both qualified with rifles. My daughter was excited to have made expert, told me I trained her well. She was the only one in her group that did. I told her she was probably the only one in her group that owned her own, so it was to be expected. Although hers has very non standard issue Pink furniture. ;)
It's more than just the firearms experience of veterans that is considered a benefit though, it's also the sense of dedication and discipline honorably discharged/retired vets come out with that makes them assets.
Teaching the skills, tactics, methods, and techniques necessary isn't at all difficult with civilians and far less so for any veteran meeting that critera.