Category: The Green Machine
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has overestimated the value of the weapons it has sent to Ukraine by at least $3 billion — an accounting error that could be a boon for the war effort because it will allow the Defense Department to send more weapons now without asking Congress for more money.
The acknowledgment Thursday comes at a time when Pentagon is under increased pressure by Congress to show accountability for the billions of dollars it has sent in weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine and as some lawmakers question whether that level of support should continue.
It also could free up more money for critical weapons as Ukraine is on the verge of a much anticipated counteroffensive — which will require as much military aid as they can get. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously said the offensive was delayed because they did not yet have everything they needed.
The error was caused when officials overvalued some of the systems sent to Ukraine, using the value of money it would cost to replace an item completely rather than the current value of the weapon. In many of the military aid packages, the Pentagon has opted to draw from its stockpiles of older, existing gear because it can get those items to Ukraine faster.
“During our regular oversight process of presidential drawdown packages, the Department discovered inconsistencies in equipment valuation for Ukraine. In some cases, ‘replacement cost’ rather than ‘net book value’ was used, therefore overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from U.S. stocks,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh.
She added that the mistake hasn’t constrained U.S. support to Ukraine or hampered the ability to send aid to the battlefield.
A defense official said the Pentagon is still trying to determine exactly how much the total surplus will be. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said the comptroller has asked the military services to review all previous Ukraine aid packages using the proper cost figures. The result, said the official, will be that the department will have more available funding authority to use as the Ukraine offensive nears.
The aid surplus was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
To date the U.S. has provided Ukraine nearly $37 billion in military aid since Russia invaded in February 2022. The bulk of that has been in weapons systems, millions of munitions and ammunition rounds, and an array of trucks, sensors, radars and other equipment pulled from Pentagon stockpiles and sent quickly to Ukraine.
Members of Congress have repeatedly pressed Defense Department leaders on how closely the U.S. is tracking its aid to Ukraine to ensure that it is not subject to fraud or ending up in the wrong hands. The Pentagon has said it has a “robust program” to track the aid as it crosses the border into Ukraine and to keep tabs on it once it is there, depending on the sensitivity of each weapons system.
There also is a small team of Americans in Ukraine working with Ukrainians to do physical inspections when possible, but also virtual inspections when needed, since those teams are not going to the front lines.
In late February, the Pentagon’s inspector general said his office has found no evidence yet that any of the billions of dollars in weapons and aid to Ukraine has been lost to corruption or diverted into the wrong hands. He cautioned that those investigations are only in their early stages
The U.S. Army’s latest multi-billion-dollar, high-tech small arms program is moving forward and, and it represents nothing less than an entirely new direction in U.S. military small arms development.
In April of last year, the Army announced that it had selected the winners of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) competition: an infantry rifle and a light machine gun, along with a new cartridge and optical system that the pair would share. The news sent shock waves through the firearm and defense communities.
“We should know that this is the first time in our lifetime, the first time in 65 years, that the Army will field a new weapon system of this nature—a rifle, an automatic rifle, a fire-control system and a new caliber family of ammunition,” said Brig. Gen. Larry Burris, the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team Director, at a press conference for the selection. Then, for emphasis, he added, “This is revolutionary.” For those of us in the civilian world, the announcement prompted questions about how and why our tax dollars are being spent.
The Problem
Two decades of constant combat usage of the U.S. military’s small arms have exposed some deficiencies in the current inventory. These include the effective range of the 5.56 NATO cartridge, the ability of M16-derived systems to deliver suppressive fire, the need for modularity to accommodate modern accessories and the weight that small arms systems add to an already-burdened soldier. The search for solutions to these problems are defined by a defense industry buzzword and a catchphrase: “overmatch” and “near-peer adversaries.” Overmatch is the ability to outperform the range, accuracy and lethality of the weapons used by the enemy of an advanced military with capabilities similar to those of the United States, such as Russia and China, and such militaries are seen as near-peer adversaries (see p. 26).
While the 5.56 NATO has a similar effective range to the Russian 5.45×39 mm and Chinese 5.8×42 mm cartridges (approximately 500 meters), that range would have to be extended for “overmatch.” Additionally, many arms that U.S. soldiers have often found themselves facing use the 7.62×54 mm R cartridge, as fired by PSL and SVD rifles and the PK series of medium machine guns, which have an effective range of approximately 800 meters.
Another factor determining the next cartridge’s performance is the fact that, during the past decade, ballistic body armor technology has improved and is less costly, making it possible for near-peer adversaries to equip their entire front-line forces with protection against conventional projectiles. Additionally, the U.S. military is increasingly encountering body armor in the hands of irregular forces and terrorists.
In 2017, retired Maj. Gen. Robert H. Scales stated the problem succinctly to the Senate Armed Services Committee: “Survival [on the modern battlefield] depends on the ability to deliver more killing power at longer ranges and with greater precision than the enemy.”
In response, the U.S. military has adopted limited numbers of extended-range specialty weapons, incrementally upgraded existing systems with “Product Improvement Programs” and improved ammunition with “Enhanced Performance Round” versions of both the 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO cartridges. But the limits of 75-year-old cartridge and arms designs have been reached. As Brig. Gen. William Boruff, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition, explained at the NGSW press conference, “the current 5.56 cartridge has been maxed out from the performance perspective.”
The three cartridges considered for the NGSW program are exemplified by (l. to r.): a cased telescoped round by Textron; a hybrid-case round by SIG Sauer; and a composite-case round by True Velocity. All three were designed to fire the same copper-jacketed 6.8 mm bullet.
The History
From the conclusion of World War II, the U.S. military has sought solutions for increased lethality, greater hit probability and a lighter combat load in its small arms. When the Army announced the NGSW program in 2018, those who were skeptical that the effort would ever result in a finalized and adopted system were justified in their doubt. When the M16 was adopted in the early 1960s, the Army was already in the midst of a “future weapons” program—the Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW). The SPIW program was an extension of Project SALVO, which itself was the result of the Army’s post-World War II analysis of how small arms were used by infantrymen in combat.
Its conclusion, which had already been reached by the Germans during the war, was that the most effective arm for an infantryman to carry was a fully-automatic rifle that fired an intermediate cartridge. The result was a compromise between the light weight and high volume of fire afforded by a submachine gun chambered in a pistol cartridge and the range, accuracy and ballistic payload of a full-size battle rifle. The groundbreaking “Sturmgewehr” design was quickly matched post-war by the Soviet Kalashnikov, and the rest of the world was left scrambling to update their arsenals.
Project SALVO worked on the idea that hit probability was increased by the greater number of projectiles you could throw at a target, essentially making a rifle into a long-range shotgun. The search for a lightweight “Small Caliber, High Velocity” rifle led to the adoption of the M16. The SPIW program sought to develop an arm that combined a grenade launcher with a rifle firing small, arrow-like “flechette” projectiles. It was abandoned in the early 1970s, and the M16 soldiered on.
By 1972, the Army was also looking for an arm that could cover the ground between the M16 and the M60 with the Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) program. The program centered upon a new SAW-specific cartridge firing a 135-grain 6 mm bullet that gave a ballistic performance between the 5.56 mm and the 7.62 mm. While the Army eventually adopted the FN Minimi as the M249, it stuck with using the 5.56 NATO cartridge.
Soon after the M16A2 was adopted, in 1986, the Army began the Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program, the goal of which was once again to produce an arm that would increase hit probability on the battlefield. Many of the innovations developed during the SPIW program were examined again, including flechette rounds, duplex projectile loads and burst fire, along with new innovations such as polymer-case telescoping ammunition, caseless molded-propellant cartridges and the advantages provided by sound suppression and optical sighting systems. As no ACR candidate could provide “an enhancement in hit probability of at least 100 percent at combat ranges” over the M16, the program was canceled.
By the 1990s, the newest effort to replace the M16 was the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) program. The resulting arm combined a 5.56 NATO-firing rifle and a semi-automatic grenade launcher with a computer-assisted sighting system firing air-burst munitions, but it did not result in a practical design. An offshoot of this program was the further development of the Heckler & Koch G36-derived XM8, which was also eventually canceled.
The search for more effective small arms continued into the 21st century. In 2004, the Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) program was formed to investigate polymer-case and caseless ammunition technologies. The program also developed a light machine gun prototype to replace the M249. An Individual Carbine competition seeking a replacement for the M4 ran from 2010 to 2014, but it ended without selecting a replacement. Ditto for the Interim Combat Service Rifle program. The M16 and its derivatives, it seemed, were here to stay.
Since the adoption of the M16, the Army has sought a replacement. Pictured is testing of the XM8 prototype in the early 2000s.
The NGSW Competition
In many ways, the NGSW program was a ballistics-centric endeavor. Brigadier General Boruff summarized the purpose of the program when he stated it was, “all about energy on target and the longer ranges.” The Army knew the performance it wanted and sought an integrated system of a cartridge that provided those required ballistics, an arm to fire it and a sighting system that would give the average soldier the ability to utilize both to their maximum potential.
The Next Generation Squad Weapons program sought to select a new cartridge, a rifle (NGSW-R) and light machine gun or “automatic rifle” (NGSW-AR) to fire it and a “fire control” optical sighting system (NGSW-FC). Beginning in 2017, the requirements for the systems were announced. These stipulated the allowable size and weight of the new firearms and that they were to fire a cartridge of the submitting competitors’ own design that used a specific 6.8 mm bullet. The arm and cartridge combination were to be effective to 800+ meters. Initial competitors included Desert Tech, MARS/Cobalt Kinetic, FN America, General Dynamics, Textron and SIG Sauer.
The NGSW selection demonstrated a new process of developing, testing and adopting new technology with the Army’s use of “Cross-Functional Teams.” Each weapons system was given a “touch point” analysis by individual soldiers, with more than 1,000 soldiers providing 20,000 hours of feedback. In the Army’s estimation, the NGSW program condensed a process that would typically take eight to 10 years into 27 months.
In August 2019, the selection of three firearm finalists were announced. General Dynamics (its efforts were later taken over by Lonestar Future Weapons Systems) submitted a magazine-fed bullpup design for both the rifle and automatic rifle. The company partnered with Beretta for the design, which used the bullpup layout to incorporate a 20″ barrel in a firearm that would yield the ballistics the Army sought at a reasonable pressure, yet maintain an overall length less than the current M4. They partnered with True Velocity ammunition to develop a composite-case cartridge of conventional shape made of polymer and a steel base.
Textron, which had worked with the Army on its LSAT program, submitted a magazine-fed rifle and belt-fed automatic rifle of conventional layout. It partnered with H&K on the firearms’ designs, Winchester Ammunition on the ammunition and Lewis Machine & Tool for the suppressor. Its cartridge featured a “cased telescoped” design, meaning the entire bullet is contained inside a polymer case, which results in reduced weight and overall length.
The last candidates were submitted by SIG Sauer, which ultimately was awarded a 10-year, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract capped at $4.7 billion. The initial phase is a $20.4 million dollar contract to provide 25 XM5s and 15 XM250s, along with ammunition, for further development. Eventually, the Army expects to procure 107,000 XM5 rifles and 13,000 XM250 automatic rifles. SIG’s submissions are described below; although note that the components of the NGSW program are still being developed, so the specifications and capabilities stated below are subject to change.
The XM250 automatic rifle feeds from a disintegrating-link belt (l.). The 6.8 mm Common Cartridge with its solid copper training/close-range bullet and its armor-piercing bullet (r.) was on display at the Association of the United States Army exposition in October 2022 in Washington, D.C.
The 6.8×51 mm Common Cartridge
As a result of several ballistics studies, the U.S. Army determined that a 6.8 mm-diameter (0.277 cal.) bullet with a weight of approximately 135 grains would be optimal for what it believes will be the conditions of the future battlefield. For the NGSW program, the Army produced a “General Purpose Projectile” that uses a hardened-steel penetrator with a copper jacket and core similar to the M855A1. It was provided to the competing manufacturers who were tasked with developing their own cartridge that used the projectile, met the Army’s ballistic requirements and weighed less than a 7.62 NATO cartridge.
The cartridge SIG developed for its winning NGSW firearms has been designated as the 6.8×51 mm Common Cartridge (CC). As can be inferred from the “51 mm” part of its designation, the cartridge’s case is the same length as the 7.62 NATO, necessitating an “AR-10”-size firearm platform. The case is almost the identical diameter as well, meaning that capacity in a box magazine is the same as the 7.62 NATO cartridge. While the Army hasn’t revealed the exact ballistic performance of the new cartridge, the 6.8 mm CC delivers more velocity than the M855A1 with a bullet more than twice as heavy. The Army claims that the new chambering is superior to both the 6.5 mm Creedmoor and 7.62 NATO at ranges up to 800 meters and that it can defeat Level III body armor with non-armor-piercing ammunition out to 600 meters.
The new cartridge is not to be confused with the 6.8 Remington SPC, another cartridge developed at the behest of the U.S. military. Designed in the early 2000s, the SPC has the same overall length as the 5.56 NATO, meaning that existing M4 and AR-15-type firearms could be adapted to use it.
Since defeating body armor comes down, in large part, to velocity, every effort was made to get the maximum performance out of the new cartridge. The result was a chambering that operates at very high pressure. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) specification for the cartridge is 80,000 p.s.i., or about 30 percent higher than the operating pressure of similar cartridges such as 7.62 NATO or 6.5 mm Creedmoor.
Three .277 Fury loads are currently offered for the civilian market: conventional brass cartridge cases loaded with a 135-grain FMJ or soft-point bullet and hybrid-case cartridges with a 150-grain polymer-tip bullet.
When SAAMI certified the .277 Fury, the civilian version of the 6.8 mm CC cartridge, it included the warning that the cartridge, when loaded to pressures greater than 68,000 p.s.i., would “require cartridge case and/or firearms design that depart from traditional practices.” This is exactly what SIG did, developing a “hybrid” metal case for the cartridge. As the unsupported portion of a brass cartridge case that protrudes from the rear of the chamber and the primer pocket cannot handle these pressures, the SIG design uses a stainless-steel case head married to a brass case body. SIG claims the hybrid case design allows for an additional 350 f.p.s. in velocity over a conventional brass case.
The brass and stainless-steel hybrid case of the NGSW 6.8 mm Common Cartridge is designed to handle its 80,000 p.s.i. pressure.
In addition to its strength, steel is lighter than brass, so using it in what is the thickest part of the cartridge case keeps the overall weight of the loaded cartridge down. Though being nominally the same overall size, 6.8 mm CC weighs less than a 7.62 NATO cartridge.
The commercial .277 Fury launches a 150-grain bullet at 2,830 f.p.s. from a 16″ barrel—or approximately the performance you’d expect from a .270 Win. fired from a 24″ barrel. SIG also makes a reduced-power version of the .277 Fury cartridge that uses a conventional all-brass case and presumably operates at less than 68,000 p.s.i. The Army likewise plans to use a reduced-power version of the cartridge for training purposes and close-range combat scenarios where overpenetration is a risk.
SIG Sauer will be producing all of the Army’s 6.8 mm ammunition, using projectiles supplied by the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, for the next few years. Lake City (a government-owned plant run by private contractor Winchester Ammunition) is building a new facility dedicated solely to producing the 6.8 mm CC ammunition that should be online by 2025 or 2026. By 2030, Lake City will take over as the lead producer of 6.8 ammunition. Lake City’s production of 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO will continue at current rates in the near future.
Last year, SIG offered a limited run of MCX-Spear rifles for the civilian market in semi-automatic-only format.
XM5 Rifle
In many ways, SIG’s winning firearms were the most conventional NGSW choices. Its rifle prototype, adopted as the XM5, is based on the commercially available MCX, which combines features of the M16 with a short-stroke piston and recoil-spring system that mimics the AR-18. SIG had already scaled up the 5.56 mm MCX to AR-10 size to accommodate a .308 Win.-class cartridge with its MCX-MR, which was a competitor in the Army’s Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System program.
The XM5’s controls are M16-style rendered bilaterally for full ambidextrous use. The magazine release, bolt release and safety selector are present on both sides of the rifle, along with a bilateral, AR-type, charging handle. Additionally, there is a second non-reciprocating charging handle positioned on the left side of the receiver. The rifle utilizes an M4-style forward-assist device and case deflector. While having a general M4 familiarity, the exterior of the XM5 is also updated. The aluminum-alloy handguard features M-Lok slots, and there are built-in push-button sling swivel sockets on the handguard and receiver.
The XM5 mechanism uses a multi-lug rotating bolt. Function is provided by a short-stroke gas piston with an adjustable gas regulator. The upper and lower receivers are made of aluminum alloy with steel inserts in high-wear locations. Because of the gas-piston design and recoil springs contained within the receiver, the XM5’s stock not only telescopes like an M4 but also folds to the left side, and the rifle can be fired with the stock folded. The barrel has a tapered heavy profile and is held in place by a clamping system that uses two Torx-head screws that allow it to be removed in the field. The rifle is supplied with a two-stage match trigger, uses SR-25-pattern magazines and is capable of both semi- and full-automatic fire.
The XM5 is designed to be used in conjunction with a suppressor. In 2021, the Marine Corps announced that it would be supplying all of its front-line personnel with suppressor-equipped arms, to both make communication on the battlefield easier and to prevent the long-term health effects of loud noise exposure, and the Army seems to be following that lead. The XM5’s suppressor is also made by SIG and is based on its SLX series developed for U.S. Special Operations. The backpressure that a suppressor adds to a firearm can result in increased gases directed back at the shooter. The XM5’s suppressor is engineered to have a “flow-through” design that yields “low toxic fume blowback,” and SIG claims that using the suppressor results in no additional gas being expelled through the rifle’s ejection port. The suppressor is mounted by threading onto the XM5’s muzzle device and is held in place with a locking ring. Due to suppressor usage, the XM5’s 13″ barrel keeps the conventionally laid out rifle as compact as possible. With the suppressor installed, the XM5’s overall length is 36″, and it weighs 9 lbs., 14 ozs. There is no provision for mounting a bayonet.
The XM250 is designed to be used with a suppressor. It feeds from 100-round disintegrating link belts housed in a polymer and canvas pouch that mounts below the receiver.
XM250 Automatic Rifle
SIG’s winning automatic rifle design is based on the company’s MG 338, a belt-fed .338 Norma Mag.-chambered machine gun designed for U.S. Special Operations. The XM250 is an air-cooled, belt-fed design that fires from an open bolt. The action is gas-operated with a short-stroke gas piston system and is capable of both semi-automatic and fully-automatic fire. Its rate of fire is between 650 and 750 rounds per minute, depending on the ammunition used.
While SIG has been tight-lipped about the internal features of the XM250, some design features can be inferred from details found in the company’s machine gun patent applications. The XM250 uses the recoil-mitigation system of its .338 big brother, where the rotating bolt operates within a “barrel extension” that is fixed to the barrel and recoils within the outer receiver, with the bolt and barrel extension using separate recoil springs. SIG claims the XM250’s felt recoil is less than an M4. Although the XM250’s 16″ barrel is quick-change with the rotation of a collar, unlike the M249 it is not designed to be swapped under combat conditions. The XM250’s barrel-retaining system makes it field-adaptable for other cartridges in the 7.62 NATO class.
The XM250 is fed from 100-round disintegrating-link belts. The belts are housed in a polymer and canvas box that attaches below the gun with a “mag well” connection. Belts can be loaded into the gun whether the bolt is forward or back, in either safe or fire mode and with the feed tray open or closed. Unlike the M249, there is no provision that allows for the use of a detachable box magazine. The XM250 uses a left-side charging handle and has bilateral safety selector switches.
On the top of its receiver and handguard, the XM250 has a full-length Picatinny rail. It uses a feed tray cover that opens to the side to allow for mounting of optical systems without interference when the feed tray is open. Designed to be used with optics, the XM250 also has a set of offset back-up iron sights. The handguard features M-Lok slots, and the XM250’s bipod is made out of titanium to further save weight. The buttstock telescopes to multiple positions to adjust length of pull.
The XM250 is designed to use the same suppressor system as the XM5. Despite its visual bulk, the XM250 with bipod and suppressor weighs 3 lbs., 8 ozs., less than the M249 and is 13 lbs. lighter than the 7.62 NATO M240B. The size and weight of the XM250, along with its ability to fire semi-automatically, suggest that it could be used as a “rifle” in close-quarters engagements or, when combined with the new magnified optic, as a more precise “Designated Marksman Rifle” at longer ranges.
Shown atop an XM5 rifle at the AUSA expo in October 2022 in Washington, D.C., the XM157 Fire Control System, produced by Vortex, is a 1-8X riflescope with electronics that can take into account factors such as wind, elevation, inclination and range.
XM157 Fire Control System
The competition for an optical sight, or “Fire Control System,” included submissions from Vortex Optics and L3Harris (the former parent company of EOTech). The winner was Vortex’s offering, which was designated as the XM157.
The Fire Control System is the part of the NGSW program that represents the most radical leap forward in technology and capability. At the heart of the XM157 “Smart Optic” is a conventional 1-8X LPVO (low power variable optic) riflescope with a 30 mm objective lens and etched reticle that can operate without battery power. The “smart” side of the XM157 is information that can be projected as a digital Active Reticle onto a see-through display in the scope’s first focal plane. This allows for a customizable display that can include such information as ballistic drop or wind holds. The system has a built-in laser rangefinder and can compute other environmental factors, such as temperature, elevation, inclination and declination. This information is computed in real time by a unit that sits on top of the main scope’s body and adjusts the digital reticle accordingly. In addition to the rangefinder laser, the unit also contains visible and infrared aiming lasers. Again, some hints at the system’s possible capabilities can be gleaned from recent Vortex patents, such as a system that would allow the optic to display the number of rounds remaining in the magazine of the arm to which it is attached or the ability to display a virtual target for dry-fire practice.
While the XM157 sounds complicated, its function is simple and user-friendly, with all functionality displays seen through the scope. The system has passed all mil-standard optics tests of temperature, water immersion, dust, drops, shock, etc., so it’s as rugged as it is high-tech.
The system is powered by two CR123A batteries that will power the unit for “weeks” according to Vortex. While the actual weight of the system has not been revealed, according to Vortex, it is less than the combination of a conventional LPVO and ballistic computing system (presumably less than 30 ozs.). The entire unit is “modular and upgradeable,” meaning that newer capabilities can be added in the future, such as “augmented reality” modes that will allow soldiers to tag target points and share them wirelessly to other soldiers’ optics systems.
The XM157 will be made entirely in America of U.S.-made components, including the lenses. Vortex is scheduled to supply 250,000 systems over the next decade at the cost of up to $2.7 billion. As is apparent from that quantity, the XM157 is intended to be used not only on NGSW weapons but also on “legacy” platforms, such as the M4.
The XM5 rifle weighs 9 lbs., 13 ozs. with its suppressor mounted. Though equipped with offset backup iron sights, it is intended to be used with the XM157 optic.
The Reaction
Expectedly, the announcement that the Army was replacing the rifle and cartridge combination that it has used for more than half a century was met with a swift reaction. One of the first criticisms involved weight. When it comes to physics, there’s no free lunch. The Army’s ballistic needs required a cartridge larger than the 5.56 NATO and a weapon larger than an M4 to fire it. A loaded XM5 with the XM157 optic will weigh about 3 lbs., 4 ozs., more than a loaded M4A1 with an M68 optic. With a full combat load, the XM250 outweighs the M249 by about 3 lbs., 8 ozs., while carrying 200 fewer rounds.
This brings up the second criticism of a decreased round count and increased weight for a combat load. The larger diameter of the 6.8 mm cartridge means fewer rounds can be stacked in a magazine of similar size to the current 30-round M4 magazine. According to the Army, the XM5 basic combat load is seven, 20-round magazines, which weighs 9 lbs., 13 ozs., in total. For the XM250, the basic combat load is four 100-round pouches at 27 lbs., 1 oz. For comparison, the M4 carbine combat load, which is seven 30-round magazines, weighs 7 lbs., 6 ozs., and the M249 combat load is three 200-round pouches weighing 20 lbs., 14 ozs., in total. This would result in a real-world total combat weight of 21 lbs. for the XM5 and 43 lbs., 6 ozs., for the XM250, versus 15 lbs., 10 ozs., for the M4 and 39 lbs., 14 ozs., for the M249.
Based on these two points, many critics bring up the specter of the M14, a large and powerful rifle designed for the plains of Germany that found itself in the jungles of Vietnam. But the counterpoint is that the Next Generation Squad Weapons signal a shift in the Army’s small arms doctrine. In a way, the NGSW program is the antithesis of the post-World War II Project SALVO. Increased weight and decreased round count suggests that the Army expects the NGSW weapons and optics system to allow soldiers to eliminate their targets at longer ranges with fewer rounds.
Trickle Down
Military innovation eventually trickles down to the civilian world, and, in the case of the NGSW, it has already arrived. The .277 Fury cartridge has been introduced commercially in the SIG Cross bolt-action rifle. A limited-edition, semi-automatic-only version of the XM5, marketed as the MCX-Spear, has also been offered by SIG. In September, the company announced the MCX-Spear LT, a mid-size platform based on the XM5 offered in 5.56 NATO, .300 Blackout and 7.62×39 mm in rifle, short-barreled rifle and pistol configurations.
Innovations that did not win the NGSW competition have also made their way to the civilian world. This spring, SAAMI certified its first composite-case ammunition manufactured by True Velocity. Currently available in .308 Win., there are plans for the company to commercially release 6.5 mm Creedmoor and 5.56 NATO composite-case cartridges in the near future.
Looking Forward
The NGSW weapons are scheduled to complete their operational test by the third quarter of 2023, with the first Army units equipped with the new firearms in the fourth quarter of that same year. The entire roll-out to the “Close Combat Force” (a classification that includes infantrymen, cavalry scouts, combat engineers and forward observers, in addition to special forces) will be dependent on when ammunition production can be ramped up to meet demand. Like the M17 handgun recently adopted, other branches of the U.S. military, such as the Marine Corps, may end up adopting the XM5 and XM250 as well. The M4 and M249 will continue to soldier on with second-line support troops.
The NGSW program marks a radical departure in U.S. small arms doctrine, pushing the envelope of conventional cartridge performance and pairing it with a state-of-the-art optical system that can help soldiers make hits to the limits of their weapons’ potential. In an age of UAVs and precision-guided munitions, the individual combat soldier is expected to become a more precise instrument, and the NGSW program is providing the tools for the job.
It demonstrates that, on an increasingly sophisticated battlefield, the infantryman isn’t being replaced by technology, but adapting to meet new challenges, as no amount of innovation will change the fact that wars are ultimately won by boots on the ground and with rifles that soldiers hold in their hands.
The ultimate judgement about whether the path taken by the NGSW program is correct will come on the battlefield.
Conflicts in the early decades of the 21st century have highlighted deficiencies in U.S. small arms doctrine. To address these shortcomings, the military’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program settled on a new cartridge, rifle and machine gun. This table places current and future U.S. small arms in the larger context of firearms used by other nations.
For several years, I was a soldier-medic in the U.S. Army. I saw countless military and family members. Now I am a veteran looking back.
Is the Army worth it for you?
Awful Things About the Army You Might Not Know
Before I begin listing and explaining my points, I want to make it clear that this article is not meant to be disrespectful or insulting to any branch of the military. I’m not bashing the Army or America by shedding light on the unsatisfactory aspects of service. Also, I don’t want to scare anybody or discourage serving in a branch of the military because the Army isn’t scary. If you sincerely want to serve, then that’s awesome!
So what’s this article actually about? Let’s put it this way: If you want to buy a car, you can go to a dealership and stare at a car endlessly. You can walk around it as many times as you want, maybe even kick the tires. But remember, tires can be changed. You have to look under the hood. If you want to make the right decision about purchasing a car or pursuing a military career, you have to do your homework. This article will help you do that.
I’ll focus on the Army in this article because it’s the only branch of the military that I served in. I can’t speak for the other branches. To be fair, I have another article on the awesome parts of the military. Take a look at it after you read this one.
Finally, throughout this article, I’ll refer to the soldier as a “he.” I’m only doing so to keep things simple. I know there are many female service members, and I am proud to have served alongside them. Thank you for understanding.
10. Identity Theft Is a Threat to Soldiers, and It’s Just as Bad for Veterans
You might think that if you work for the Army, you’d be safe from the threat of identity theft, but let’s get honest and clear about this risk. The truth is that identity theft is rampant for service members, veterans, and their families.
If you haven’t memorized your social security number (SSN) by now, you will within the first few days of in-processing. Throughout your entire military career, it will be used so often and on so much paperwork that you will get numb to it. Why? There are so many people in the military that the quickest, easiest way to identify each individual is to do so by number. You’ll notice a lot of private sector companies do this as well.
Almost every form you fill out provides another opportunity for a criminal to get your name, SSN, and date of birth. In minutes, you can become an identity theft casualty. If you’re deployed and fighting in the latest war, you might not find out that your personal information has been stolen until months after the fact! Instead of confetti in your ticker-tape parade, you’ll have bills and more paperwork to contend with, but this time the paperwork will be for all the credit bureaus and collection agencies you’ll have to communicate with to sort out your identity theft issues. Oh, and this doesn’t end after your time serving is complete. It’s just as easy to nab a veteran’s identity as it is to steal an active soldier’s identity.
This doesn’t just happen to individual military representatives. Sometimes, large numbers of soldiers are robbed of their personal information all at once. Why would criminals go for a single target when they can take advantage of millions of hardworking, taxpaying Americans all at once? Computers are stolen from the homes and cars of government officials so often that the media thinks it’s old news. Do any of these government employees get thrown in prison? Fired? Disciplined? No. Also, the government has never been shy about hiring contractors to handle office work that contains sensitive information, so it’s not hard to doubt their devotion to protecting the information they’re privy to.
To be fair, the Department of Defense has been working hard to phase out the use of social security numbers. For example, they are no longer used on dog tags! Instead, the Pentagon issues a 10-digit randomly generated number. Go Army! Hopefully, someday, social security numbers will no longer be required for any military paperwork.
But for now, a soldier must fight on two fronts: to protect his country and his identity.
What Does the Army Do to Prevent Identity Theft?
Apart from warning service members about the risks and instructing them to be careful about their documentation, there isn’t much that can be done to protect a person’s information or identity. Prevention and swift action in the event of identity theft are typically the only ways of addressing this issue. The Military Consumer has a lot of information available to specifically help servicemen and veterans navigate identity theft issues because this kind of violation is an unfortunate possibility for people in the military.
9. The Army Is Not Adult Daycare; This Misconception Gets People Killed
One of the things I despise most is the idea that the Army serves the soldier. The Army doesn’t serve you; you serve your country by joining the Army. Fortunately, there are very few people that believe this because Basic Combat Training (BCT) does an outstanding job of smoking that idea out of recruits’ heads. But still, people who think of the Army as an adult daycare facility are out there making life for other soldiers far worse and sometimes more dangerous. Immature people who misunderstand the purpose of the Army usually want access to the Army’s benefits without understanding the sacrifices and responsibilities associated with serving.
Even though the Army does have benefits that help soldiers and families throughout their lives, these benefits are not available anywhere else, so it makes sense for civilians to join the military to get them. But those benefits are not what I’m talking about. In fact, if you serve, I highly recommend that you get involved in all the beneficiary programs you can. Doing so will enable you to be a better soldier now and a better civilian afterwards.
What I am talking about is the idea that the Army is just a job that’s impossible to get fired from or a steady source of income for anyone who can twiddle his thumbs and stay out of sight. Usually, I don’t care what people think. However, this kind of attitude usually leads to a sub-par performance.
An irresponsible soldier might get out of shape, forget minute but important parts of certain procedures, not take inspections seriously, and so on. If one soldier is lax about his responsibilities, then everyone else on the team will have a larger load to bear as a result.
My friend, the days of Beetle Bailey are over. It’s funny to see that kind of behavior in a comic strip, but to see it in real life is disgusting. If you’re the kind of guy who thinks the Army is Club Med for slackers, then the rest of this article will scare the living you-know-what out of you.
8. It Will Destroy Your Soul
David Wong published an outstanding article on Cracked.com called 9 Types of Jobs that Will Destroy Your Soul that aptly describes the roles people play in the workplace. I must warn you that the language is rough, but every word of it is true. Every soldier has experienced at least seven of these roles at some point during his military career. I will not re-write what the article says, but I will tell you that every soldier can, at any moment, become:
- The punching bag: A person who bears the brunt of complaints, but can do nothing to help.
- The walking dead: A person who will face sleep deprivation and irregular hours.
- The laughingstock: A person who does a job that everyone makes fun of.
- The cog: A person who performs endless tasks with mindless repetition.
- The rat in a cage: A manager responsible for those he has no authority over.
- The assistant cromulationist: A highly-specialized job that is impossible to explain.
- The Bob: A person who makes everyone else’s job harder.
- The girl: A.K.A. the “lone representative of your gender in the workplace” (this applies to female soldiers).
The article is hilarious. If you are a civilian, you will appreciate it, but if you are a soldier, you’ll relate to it because you will live it every day.
What is military life really like?
7. You Are on Call 24/7, Even When You’re Not
Ever wonder why service members tell time differently? For example, it’s not 11 p.m., it’s 2300 hrs. This is because war never sleeps. Those who think otherwise have another thing coming. Battle is about maneuvering units and materials at a moment’s notice to secure a tactical advantage. This can easily happen at night, and it can easily make no sense to you.
No matter what your rank or specialization, the Army can wake you up at 0200 hrs and make you guard a port-o-potty in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles from any national security threat. The only items you might have to protect yourself will be a broom and a canteen. You’ll have no say in the matter, and nobody is required to explain anything to you.
You’re not even safe when you’re on vacation. Oh, didn’t you know that the Army considers weekends and holidays to be vacation days? That fact came as a shock to me. When you go on vacation, you are expected to fill out a lot more paperwork than you would at a typical company in the private sector. The Army wants to know every detail regarding your whereabouts when you’re on vacation—including the hotel you’ll be staying in.
Why? In case of a national emergency, the Army has to know where you are so it can summon you if they need you. Even if you are far from your base, you may be contacted to report to a closer one. This is highly unlikely, but it is a soldier’s responsibility.
6. Your First Amendment Rights Will Be Limited While You’re Serving
Most service members easily accept this. I did. Even though I knew what I believed in, I also knew it wasn’t fair to use my uniform to push my personal beliefs on anyone else. The people who love to sell their beliefs wrapped in a flag with a pretty yellow ribbon on top will be annoyed to see that their rights to free speech are tossed right out the window.
Don’t get me wrong, you can always be an armchair activist; maybe even go to a few protests or demonstrations, however, the second you identify yourself as a service member, you’ll be in deep trouble. As a military member, you’ll fight for America, but you’re not authorized to speak for it.
Still, the Army seems to favor Christianity. There’s lots of “oh, lord” this and “praise Jesus” that. This shouldn’t surprise anyone because the United States is populated by many Christians. As a Christian myself, I never did take it personally. However, many other soldiers who identify as Jewish, Muslim, atheist, etc. are forced to put their beliefs in the back seat while fighting for a constitution that guarantees religious freedom.
There is even a non-profit Military Religious Freedom Foundation that fights for the religious equality of American soldiers in the U.S. military. But don’t bring it up at any of the “prayer breakfasts” you might find yourself at. Think that was a joke? Join and see. Just don’t spill the salt.
Joining the military directly impacts your family.
5. When You Join the Military, Your Family Joins With You
I was born into a military family. Later, when my mother was pregnant with my brother, my father decided not to re-enlist. By then, he had saved enough to start his own business. He did so and never looked back. Decisions like this are terrifying to make. Who do you turn your back on—your family or your country? Of course, it’s not always black and white, but it does make life tough for everyone—even for the parents of soldiers.
Although military marriages are no more likely to end in divorce than civilian marriages, they are faced with unique challenges that not every couple is prepared for. For example, a military spouse is not as likely to find a career. A potential employer has to face the possibility that the employee might leave with only a few days’ notice if their spouse is suddenly stationed elsewhere. An article called “How Military Marriage Screws Up Your Career” sheds light on many of the ways that military spouses can struggle professionally.
An Army wife understands that her soldier can be deployed at any time. During this time, she holds down the fort. I hate to say this, but it’s a lot like being a single mom. It takes a very special woman to be an Army wife.
Supportive resources on military bases are there to help spouses and families, but they are usually overwhelmed by the number of people they serve. It’s becoming so much of a problem that countless non-profit organizations are popping up to fill in the gap. There is no reason you can’t have a happy marriage and a great career in the military. Just remember that when you join, so does your family.
4. You Will Be Broke
In the service, nobody gets rich. A person may join for the bonus or to pay off student loans. These are definitely great benefits. Also, the military pays for housing, food, medical fees, and so on. Furthermore, bases have gyms and recreational facilities. So what causes soldiers to end up broke?
All the aforementioned benefits are real, but the actual take-home pay is low. Take a look at the military’s take-home pay rate and look at “Enlisted Military Pay” E-1 through E-4. That’s what the youngest of our troops have to subsist on per month. Most young, single soldiers survive, but it’s our military families that are getting burned. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a military family may live in poverty.
Oddly enough, many people actually believe that poverty in the military is a myth. As a medic, I’ve seen military family members attempt suicide because they are living with and experiencing the reality of military impoverishment. I’ve seen countless programs such as Army Emergency Relief and Adopt a U.S. Soldier try to save our soldiers’ families. I’ve seen laws such as the FY 2007 Military Authorization Act passed that, among other things, clearly make it illegal for payday lenders to prey upon our soldiers.
Poverty in the military is very real, and the possibility of being broke after enlisting is something to heavily consider. You can always join the military and try to strike it rich if you want to try to prove me wrong about this.
3. You Will See the Government Waste Money
Okay, let’s take a break. Hungry? Make yourself a snack: two eggs, any style (I like mine scrambled). Once you’ve made these eggs, throw them away, right into the garbage. Then make some more. These eggs are actually for you. Enjoy!
It was heartbreaking, right? Throwing away those perfectly fine eggs? Well, that’s what happens in the military. And I’m not talking about war profiteering, I’m talking about regular, day-in-day-out procedures. I used eggs in my example because eggs must be tossed if they’re sitting around too long after being cooked. The military throws away a lot of food every day. When it comes to feeding the troops, it’s better to throw away food rather than eat something that’s not fresh enough.
Now that I think about it, the real reason KP (kitchen patrol) is so tough is not that they’re always scrubbing pots and pans in the steaming kitchen. The real punishment is that you will end up seeing a lot of food getting thrown out, and it will be hard to witness all the wastefulness. Perfectly good food that nobody has eaten must be thrown away to prevent food poisoning. Can you throw away a whole chocolate cake that no one has touched? How about a tub of ice cream? Can you do it again and again? You will if you sign up for the military!
In fairness, there’s a lot of waste in any organization. Even the most profitable companies on earth throw things away. Sometimes it takes too much time and effort to save little things like staples, paperclips, or attack helicopters. Sometimes it takes too much time and effort to bring home thousands of perfectly functioning assault rifles. It’s just easier to order new ones from the defense contractors. This practice gives people jobs to do, so technically, everyone wins! Well, except for the taxpayers.
This was one of the toughest parts of being in the Army for me. It was hard to throw things away when, on the other side of the base, the family of a junior enlisted soldier was living in poverty and could have used what we threw out.
2. You Might Get Seriously Hurt
Casualties happen in war. War is hell. People know the risks when they join. It comes with the territory, but I’m not talking about that.
What people don’t know is that this can happen at any time and in any place, even stateside. Even if there is no ammunition or other threat around, a soldier can get seriously and permanently injured.
After years of PT (physical training), a soldier may have problems with his knees and other joints. He can easily have the same problems pro basketball players have but without the same salary. Any civilian can get injured, but it is more likely in the military because you are more active and working longer hours with more dangerous equipment.
Medics are ready, safety policies are in place, and your buddies are usually looking out for you, but sometimes this isn’t enough. As a medic, I’ve seen twenty-year-old trainees walking with canes as a result of injuries they sustained during service.
1. You Will Be Held to a Higher Standard Forever
The number one awful thing about the Army that nobody tells you is that you will forever be held to a higher standard!
Lexington and Concord, Gettysburg, Normandy, and all the soldiers who fought before you in many historic battles have paved the way. It is now your turn. If you think this is an honor, then you are right. What you might not know is that this is also a huge responsibility, and it will last until the day you die.
Your friends will expect you to be in great shape even after you are discharged. Your family will expect you to be calm and patient. Your coworkers will expect you to lead the way and handle stress easily. Everyone you know will expect you to win. Nobody will expect you to complain. If you oversleep, get drunk, become poor, gain weight, etc., then you will disappoint the civilians who look up to you.
This responsibility brings out the best in soldiers and veterans, but it lasts forever—and it will never be easy to deal with.
More Important Facts About Military Service
Here are some other important things to know about the military.
ROTC Programs
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) are elective college and university-based training programs that prepare adults to become officers in the U.S. military. The ROTC can be used to pay for college tuition and enrolled participants are under no obligation to join the Army if they solely participate during their freshman and sophomore years of school. After graduating, participants will begin a period of obligatory military service. The United States ROTC education programs are a good option for students who want to learn more about serving in the military before they join. There are ROTC programs for every branch of the military except the coast guard.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Military Service
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a violent act, warfare, or assault. Because military service may place soldiers in dangerous environments and situations, there is a risk of developing PTSD.
Before joining a branch of the military, it is a good idea to consider the dangerous aspects of service and whether or not you’re capable of facing potentially life-threatening situations. Developing PTSD, a serious injury, or dying are service-related realities of joining the military.
Should I Join the Army?
Now that you know about the unpleasant aspects of serving in the Army, it is up to you to determine whether or not these realities are enough to discourage you from serving. Some people can accept that the Army will be one of the most challenging endeavors to undertake and some people cannot.
Why Join the Army?
If you’ve done plenty of research about the Army and what service entails and you’re not dissuaded by what you have learned, then you should also consider that joining the Army will test you as a person and soldier. You will learn a lot about your country, service, the world, and yourself if you join. You will also have the opportunity to serve and sacrifice to make your nation safer or to protect the rights that Americans have.
While there are definitely unpleasant aspects of service, there are also a lot of good things about joining the Army. Understanding the potential benefits and pitfalls of joining the Army will help potential soldiers make a good decision about whether or not to enlist.
If you think you can do it, if you want the chance, or if you feel that you are ready to join the Army after reading this article, then go for it! Good luck!
This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
Questions & Answers
Question: Can I still join the Army if my English isn’t that good and I don’t speak loudly?
Answer: If you can read this sentence, you’re good to go. That said, if a civilian’s English isn’t good enough the recruiter will tell him right away. Also don’t worry if you can’t speak loudly. I promise you, the Army will fix that in three seconds. 3… 2… 1… YES, DRILL SERGEANT!
Question: What are some of the reasons that make a soldier’s job hard?
Answer: Soldiers have unique challenges that most civilians don’t. Read this article for more information. Also, America has a taste for (undeclared) war. Regardless of a civilian’s political leanings, this is a reality that the soldier and his family faces every day. They must be ready for his possible deployment. This means lots of training on top of the regular duties of the soldier’s MOS. This is the price of national security and only the finest Americans are ready to step up and pay.
Question: My wife has a lot of medical problems. Exactly how good are the Army’s medical benefits? There are procedures that she will have to have later in her life that can’t wait a year and her Medicare can’t pay for certain procedures. Recruiters will tell me anything but I just want to know the actual truth. I’m currently being processed right now through the Army but I have to wait for a waiver that’s been in Washington for 2 months now.
Answer: I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s condition. Your dilemma sounds complicated. Although it is common to be skeptical of recruiters, I think they are your best option to get the information you need.
Question: I want to join the army. I am a little skinny, but I can do heavy jobs. Could I survive the training?
Answer: If I can do it, then anyone can! If your recruiter says you’re good to go, then you’re good to go. I have written a couple of articles about how to prepare for and make it through BCT. These are good places to start: https://hubpages.com/politics/basic-training-is-ea… and https://hubpages.com/politics/how-to-get-ready-for…
Question: Why don’t you mention the educational benefits?
Answer: Agreed. The GI Bill is probably the most successful and well-known government program to date.
However, this article is not about the good news. It’s about the bad news. Also, it’s not about the things everybody knows. It’s about the things most people don’t know.
The Army is an amazing experience but it’s not Disneyland. It’s not Club Med. That’s what I was hoping to show here.
Question: Do you get paid for being in the army?
Answer: Yes! All branches of the US military pay its service members. Pay is decided by a number of factors, including time in service and rank. Special skills (such as fluency in a foreign language) as well as serving in a combat zone also increases pay. Don’t forget the various bonuses for enlistment/re-enlistment. That money adds up! Talk to your local recruiter for more information.
Question: How does the Army decide when you go out to fight?
Answer: The Army decides which soldiers to send to which conflicts. Some units will be sent more frequently than others. Sometimes a specific soldier in a unit might be called up for deployment. In the end, it all depends on the “Needs of the Army.”
Question: If I don’t have a High School Diploma, and am planning on going into the Army, does the Army have resources so I can get my High School Diploma?
Answer: I’m not sure about a high school diploma, but I think a GED is more likely. It all depends on your duty station. Tell your first-line supervisor that you want to get your GED. Also, keep your eyes open for local base programs that will help.
Question: What is the worst thing about the Army?
Answer: Ask one hundred different soldiers and you’ll get one hundred different answers. But here’s one thing they all agree on: One day, the Army ends. Then, as a veteran, you realize that the Army was actually awesome. Sure, there were plenty of tough times but they pale compared to everything else.
Question: If I join the Army, will I absolutely go to war?
Answer: Not all soldiers go to war. In the end, it’s up to the Department of Defense which units are deployed and when. Also, remember that not all soldiers who are deployed to a combat zone will actually see combat.
Question: What is the best way to get into shape before enlisting in the army?
Answer: I’ll be blunt: Focus on cardio. More importantly, DON’T OVERDO IT! Too many civilians push themselves and end up with ankle or knee injuries. Nobody wants a bad ankle a week before shipping out. Also, whatever you do, don’t forget to hydrate.
Question: Can I go to Basic Training/Boot Camp and then be done with the military (unless I’m called)?
Answer: As far as I know, there is no “be done with the military” unless the service member is formally discharged. However, the Reserve and National Guard traditionally train several weeks a year after BCT and AIT. That is a popular option for many people but these units can get called up at any time. Talk to your local recruiter for more information.
Question: Can women go into combat in the Army? If so, do they get treated differently then men do?
Answer: In the Army, women get deployed all over the world. However, I’m not a woman nor have I ever been deployed so I cannot comment from personal experience. For more information, ask your recruiter.
Question: My friend was a navy engineer. He was so excited to join. Then he couldn’t wait to get out and has clinical depression. Is this common?
Answer: First of all, if anyone you know has clinical depression, it is important that he/she gets professional help. This is for everyone, whether active duty, veteran or civilian. It is all too common to feel like the system doesn’t work then turn to “self-medication” like alcohol. This usually turns to dependency.
I’ve never been in the US Navy but as far as the Army goes, depression is possible. However, this is because if a team member or supervisor notices symptoms in someone, he/she will recommend a visit to the mental health clinic. This often leads to a diagnosis and a treatment plan. But, it could save this person’s life.
This simply doesn’t happen as often in the civilian world. A civilian can live one hundred years and suffer without a diagnosis.
Question: Do you have to learn how to swim in the army?
Answer: Swimming is not a requirement in the Army. It is not part of BCT or any AIT I know of. However, some Army units or programs may require it (Special Forces or Ranger School, for example). Contact your local Army recruiter for more information.
Question: I’m a civilian, and I’ve read negative things from most soldiers about us, how we’re not good enough compared to them and that we’re held in contempt for our lackluster performance. They mock us, calling us cowards, sissies, buttercups, and so on. It’s made me feel bad. Why are they saying such things about us? What did we do to deserve such disrespect?
Answer: I’m very sorry you feel this way. I don’t know who is saying this so I cannot comment on why they are. Personally, I don’t feel this way about civilians. I don’t feel this way about anyone. As a medic, I worked alongside civilians, military and veterans. They were all brilliant, hardworking and put the mission first. So, try to ignore those comments.
I don’t know who you are, but I think that the best thing you can do for your country is to stay out of trouble, work hard and better yourself. Do your best to be an example to those around you. This won’t always be easy, but it will always be worthwhile. Also, no drunk driving! Seriously.
Question: I feel like I wouldn’t be in good enough shape or strong enough (physically and mentally) to join but I would really like to. Do you have any tips to improve my physical and mental fortitude before joining the Army?
Answer: I believe that, if you really want it, you should talk to a recruiter. Take it from there. Then, if you qualify AND decide that the military is right for you, join and give it your very best. Count on your drill sergeants to make you a soldier. Finishing BCT and AIT is a wonderful feeling.
Question: What if I really want to join the military, but I can’t do more than one push-up?
Answer: That depends on the reason why you can’t do more than one push-up. For example, if a person is permanently disabled then he won’t be allowed to sign. He will never be a soldier. If a person is temporarily injured, he will be told to hold off until he recovers. For more information, talk to your local recruiter… OK, now what if a person REFUSES to do more than one push-up? Unfortunately, I don’t know. I have never seen or heard of anyone who really wanted to join but refused to do push-ups. If anyone reading this has any insight, please share it in the Comment section. We’d love to hear it!
Question: My brother’s friend claimed that he signed up to be part of the army; I don’t exactly know which part, but they said the position he wanted was already filled and so he’s going to the front line. Can that really happen? I thought we got to choose where we wanted to be.
Answer: First, nobody is simply tossed into battle. Once a soldier is finished with BCT and AIT, he has to be assigned to a unit. From there he has to be deployed “to the front line” if the Army needs him there.
Now, can he be bumped from the MOS he was promised in his contract? It’s very rare but it’s happened before. It’s all about the “needs of the Army.” Hmm… Is there something else going on? Did your brother’s friend fail a test? Did a background search turn up some bad news? This kind of thing is more likely.
When civilians sign up, it’s true that they can choose their first duty station. The Army does its best to make it happen but sometimes it doesn’t work out. It sucks but, again, it’s about the needs of the Army.
If your brother’s friend believes he was royally screwed, he probably won’t reenlist. In the meantime, the soldier has to put national security first. That’s the whole point of having an Army.
Question: Can I join the Army with bipolar disorder on medication. If so, what jobs are open to me?
Answer: That’s a tough one. You have to ask your recruiter. He’ll give you a straight answer.
If you don’t get the answer you want, don’t take it personally. It’s not about you, it’s about national security.
Question: I’m slightly “fluffy” in the mid-range, do I have a chance in the Army?
Answer: Great question! Believe it or not, many, many trainees are in the same boat as you. But, they do the best they can and nearly all of them make it. It isn’t always pretty but they make it. Bottom line: If your recruiter says you qualify for enlistment, then you have a great chance!
Question: Are there any websites on how to pass the AFQT if I’m not good at math?
Answer: I’m sure there are but why stop there? Check out your local library. I’m sure they have plenty of books that will help you. Also, talk to your recruiter. I’m sure he’s helped countless civilians get the scores they need to enlist.
Question: I wanted to join the Army as a medic, but I’m unsure. Are there any units for medics that you would recommend?
Answer: I didn’t decide on my unit, the Army decided for me. If your recruiter offers you the option to pick your first duty station/unit, think hard about what you want from the Army before you make your decision. Tell your recruiter why you want to join, and he might have some good bases/units in mind.
Question: Will you always get hurt while in the Army?
Answer: You will not always get hurt but everyone does get hurt. Injury is part of life, civilian or military. However, in the Army, the risk is higher than most occupations. Will the injury always be permanent? No, not always. Also remember that the US military’s healthcare system is the best in the country.
Question: I have asthma and eczema. After a tiny patch of dry skin was spotted on my elbow at MEPS, it was recommended by my recruiter that I wait a year to see if they terminate my file and go again now that the patch is gone. What do I do if MEPS still deems me unfit? What jobs are similar to this? Who will take me with no prior training? CIA, NSA and FBI all require a much higher age than I am. I’m lost if this doesn’t pan out.
Answer: As far as the military goes, each branch has its own requirements. They might not seem fair, but they are in place for a reason. Whatever happens at MEPS will be what’s best for the nation. Do your best to accept it and drive on. OK. But what about you? If you haven’t already, ask your recruiter what happens in the worst case scenario. He might have some leads. Also, what is the closest military installation? There might be civilian jobs that you qualify for.
Question: Why not mention the massive amount of allowances that easily balloon those low pay scales into far better lifestyles when writing about the Army?
Answer: Agreed!
The military pay scale can be tricky for civilians who look at it for the first time. But extra pay such as BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) make things sweeter. Any recruiter will be happy to sit down and patiently explain these benefits.
In the end, the Army is awesome but national security is not a joke. This article helps potential soldiers to look before jumping. Talk to your recruiter for more information!
Question: There is a job opportunity as a helicopter mechanic. I applied and met with a recruiter. If I pass the ASVAB and accept the position, what should I expect going into the Army?
Answer: First, you will be trained as a soldier. Next, you will be trained as a helicopter mechanic. Then, you will work on helicopters. Too easy.
But there’s more. You can expect to be part of a tradition and a part of history. Every day, you will meet the needs of the Army as it meets the needs of America. It won’t always be easy but it will always be worth it.
For more information, talk to your recruiter.
Question: I’m planning to join the Army Reserve while going to school. Will the Army get in the way of that?
Answer: The timing of your training components (BCT and AIT) can be flexible. It depends on your MOS. I’ve met plenty of trainees who were full time students. However, Army Reserve units can be called up to serve active duty at any time. For more information, contact your local recruiter.
Question: Is there respect among troops in the army? Why or why not?
Answer: Definitely! Respect is one of the Core Army Values. “Treat people as they should be treated.” It’s everywhere. Just take a look at the Comments section!
Question: I’m supposed to ship out in a month but I haven’t passed my OPAT because of the running part. What happens if you don’t pass before the ship-out date? Also, how’s the life and job of a 25B because that will be my MOS.
Answer: The OPAT (or Occupational Physical Assessment Test) was implemented only a few years ago. It is designed to make sure a recruit will be physically able to meet the demands of his future MOS. If you do not pass, your ship-out date might be delayed until you do. Or, worse, you might have to pick another MOS. Talk to your recruiter about your possible options.
I cannot comment on the life and job of the 25B (Information Technology Specialist). I was a medic. Moving forward, do your best every day. Stay out of trouble. Also, trust your buddies, your NCOs and COs. From there, no matter what happens, the Army will be awesome!
Question: Why do some civilians and soldiers say that the military doesn’t serve the country, while others say it does? Who’s right?
Answer: It’s a matter of perspective. People come from different backgrounds and see different things. So, it’s inevitable that they would have different views on everything, including the military. Also, don’t forget that the military does a lot of things. Some of them are more glamorous than others.
Question: Can I join the Army without going to war and shooting people, I want to be a mechanic on airplanes?
Answer: Every soldier has to put national security first. That’s the reason we have an Army.
If you sign as an airplane mechanic, you’ll be trained as a soldier in Basic Training (BCT) then as an airplane mechanic in Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Next, you’ll be assigned to a unit that needs an airplane mechanic.
From there, where you go and what you do will depend on the needs of the Army. You will most likely be an airplane mechanic but you cannot rule out the possibility of combat. There’s always a chance of it no matter what your MOS.
Question: What does an army recruit get paid a year?
Answer: There is no magic number because there are many variables. For example, even though two trainees started on the same day, their pay will be different if one of them has a family. Also, the government updates the pay every year to keep up with inflation. For more information, contact your local recruiter.
Bottom line: Military service is an amazing experience. It is meaningful work. Military benefits are unmatched and veterans benefits are almost as sweet. BUT, don’t join only for the money.
Question: If my ASVAB score is very low, will I get Infantry or is it possible to get something else?
Answer: First of all, there is nothing wrong with Infantry. Infantry is awesome. When people think “Army” they think “Infantry.”
Now, to answer your question, it is possible to get something else. Anything is possible. But what else would you qualify for? That’s something to ask your recruiter.
Listen to him. He’ll lay it out for you. Take a serious look at all the options available. Don’t toss any MOS because everybody sweats and everything is vital for national security. That’s what the military is about: national security.
Still don’t like your options? If you think you can do better, maybe you can. Study your *ss off! I’ve met people who studied for almost a year to get the score they needed and got the job they wanted.
In the end, military or civilian, life is what you make of it.
Question: Can a 16 year old kid join the Army?
Answer: I’ve never seen or heard of someone that young in the US military. Ask your local recruiter for more information. In the meantime, stay healthy, stay motivated, stay in school and–most important–stay out of trouble!
Question: Why don’t you be truthful about the character of the people going in? I was glad to serve but the Army needs to recruit better people.
Answer: Simply put: I try my best not to judge people–especially people I have never met.
However, I will say that I was (and still am) very proud of everyone I served with. People from all over the country, in every branch and every status (active duty, veteran and civilian).
You will probably give me a thousand stories of service members who do something wrong or just stupid. Fine. I will give you ten thousand right back of them saving our country from all enemies foreign and domestic.
We all take our oath and step up. We are inspired to do our best from our NCOs and COs. It’s not always pretty but it’s always worth it.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank the military!
Question: Well, you have skillfully showed the bad however, there are also good outcomes and benefits from serving. How about you talk about the good things as well? Just saying…
Answer: Agreed! There are many great things! I DID write about them… in another article. Take a look! Your insight and optimism would greatly be appreciated there.
Question: How do you make it in Bootcamp, any tips?
Answer: Great question!
BCT (Basic Combat Training) is difficult but it isn’t impossible. Countless trainees finish it every year. I have written several articles about it. Take a look below!
https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/how-to-get-…
https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/basic-train…
https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/should-i-jo…
Question: Why do you always refer to soldiers as male (except when they are called “that girl”) and their spouses are always wives? As a female Army veteran of 16 years, I find that very disappointing and sexist. I’m not saying you are but that’s the way it came across.
Answer: Agreed! Women have served in all branches of the US military for decades. I have served proudly along side many of them.
I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I did this only to simplify my article. “He/she” or “She/he” didn’t work with the folksy and casual tone I was hoping for in this article. Thanks for understanding.
Question: My boyfriend wants to join the Army next year and I’m so afraid. I don’t want him to. I’m so scared that he’ll get hurt, die or he’ll come home broken. Am I wrong to feel this way?
Answer: That’s a tough one. If it helps any, you are not alone. Many, many loved ones and family members experience this because many, many civilians join the military every day. Why not? After all, the military is a big transition from civilian life. Also, unfortunately, civilians don’t think of the good, just the bad and the ugly.
So, are you “wrong to feel this way?” I cannot answer that. I cannot tell you how to feel. However, I ask that you trust your boyfriend and his decision. My guess is that his decision wasn’t on a whim. He thought long and hard on it. So why not trust him? While you’re at it, trust his future team and supervisors. They’ll look out for him and he’ll look out for them.
A lot of folks seem to be taking this article the wrong way. In other words, I didn’t write it to discourage or scare anyone. I didn’t write it to bash the military. I meant to celebrate it. It’s an amazing experience as long as you do your best and put your country first. Trust your boyfriend to do that.
Question: Why is being held to a higher standard a bad thing?
Answer: Agreed!
This “awful thing” was supposed to be my transition. I was hoping that it would explain that the Army has its ups and downs but the ups will shine in us forever.
Talk to your recruiter for more information!
Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Public Affairs.
I wasn’t expecting to meet so early this morning, but some poor woman in Europe is complaining she’s been conned out of money by Nigerian Romance Scammers who are impersonating the commanding general again. Looks like yet another public affairs emergency! How these women are dumb enough to fall for Nigerian romance scams, yet smart enough to find the number to the headquarters is beyond me. But that’s why I make the big bucks.
Let’s see what’s on the public affairs schedule this morning. Ah yes, ISOPREP pictures for a deploying infantry brigade. Nothing puts the public in public affairs quite like a few mugshots that stay hidden away on the SIPRNET. Your average infantryman spends the entire weekend taking pictures of his dick, but when it comes time to actually do something useful with a camera, suddenly he’s incompetent.
After that, it’ll be event driven, my dear vodka. Answering phone calls about chemtrails, Jade Helm, and the impending UN invasion. I’ll never understand why the general public thinks the US government is omniscient and omnipotent, especially after seeing the dumb fucks I work with here.
After lunch I have a lot of work planned, but I’ll probably have to scratch it all because Lt. Col. Sinclair can’t seem to keep his dick in his pants or because a some idiots published a regulation saying it’s okay to call African Americans “negroes.”
Christ, there are three million people in our Armed Forces, and every one of them is hell-bent on ruining my day.
Following that, I’ve got to tell the media what a great plan we have in Iraq. Not the general with the brilliant plan. Oh, no, he golfs while I’ve got to put lipstick on the pig that is Operation Inherent Clusterfuck.
At least there are great job opportunities out there for PAOs. Admiral Kirby just got a job at the State Department making less money for answering the same idiotic questions … only with different talking points. I wonder if that was really water in his glass?
I hear Jen Psaki and Marie Harf left a bottle of vodka for him in the drawer. He’ll need it.
The author was last seen complaining about his predicament to his 3,000 Facebook friends.
Field officers of the 761st Tank Battalion – Captain Ivan Harrison, Captain Irvin McHenry, and 2nd Lieutenant James Lightfoot – near Nancy, France. 1944.
Hope — and some skepticism — as fentanyl crackdown begins in SF’s Tenderloin
“I’m hopeful something good comes out of this and we can help reclaim this city,” one resident said.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Monday marks the start of Governor Gavin Newsom’s major move to crack down on San Francisco’s open-air drug market. California Highway Patrol and the California National Guard are teaming up with the SFPD and District Attorney’s Office to help get drug dealers off the streets.
CHP officers will be targeting the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, while the California National Guard works behind the scenes analyzing intelligence.
“As we hopefully wind down the drug market, we also have to make sure that we are winding up support for the people who are going to have a harder time finding drugs,” said Supervisor Dorsey.
RELATED: ‘Injecting Hope’ | Watch documentary on innovative program tackling drug overdose, fentanyl epidemic
“If you are going to be eliminating the supply like this, especially with people that do have substance use disorder and if their primary substance is fentanyl. We really need to make sure that we’re able to help these folks and very quickly,” said Gary McCoy of HealthRight 360, one of the nonprofits working with the city in hopes of establishing safe consumption sites.
Safe consumption sites, also known as safe injection, or overdose prevention sites, are places people can go to use their drugs under supervision in case of an overdose – and be connected to services like treatment and housing. The sites are illegal under federal law, but the Mayor’s Office and Board of Supervisors are trying to find workarounds, similar to sites like those in New York City, operated by a nonprofit.
“There are some conversations happening that fingers crossed we’ll make some progress on some of the overdose prevention sites that we’re talking about,” said Supervisor Dorsey.
Driving around the tenderloin on Monday afternoon, it looked pretty much like it does on any other day. There were a few SFPD officers on foot patrol. And we spotted two CHP cars passing through.
But despite no visible difference in the neighborhood, some San Franciscans are hopeful Monday will mark a turning point in San Francisco.
VIDEO: National Guard explains their role in fighting San Francisco’s fentanyl crisis
“I am cautiously optimistic. Let’s put it that way,” Tom Wolf, a recovering fentanyl addict who used to live on the streets of the Tenderloin, told ABC7 News.
Wolf said word has already spread around the community.
“From what I’m hearing from people on the street, is that they’re hunkering down. The people using drugs are hunkering down in anticipation of this increase in law enforcement to kind of ride out the storm,” Wolf said.
“The key is that, when we do this enforcement, it’s going to have to be a sustained approach,” he added. “We can’t just have the CHP come in here for three weeks and then go home. If they’re going to be here, they’re going to have to be here for six months at least.”
CHP said they have 75 uniformed officers in San Francisco, but they won’t say how many officers are being deployed at any given time for this effort.
Supervisor Dean Preston — who represents the Tenderloin and has been critical of Newsom’s plan — said he’s heard it’s going to be about six officers. He is among those skeptical the plan will make much change.
VIDEO: Mixed reaction to Gov. Newsom’s plans to combat San Francisco’s fentanyl crisis
“It’s kind of a big nothing burger in some ways,” Preston said. “I mean, the governor announced military deployment with the National Guard and CHP and all that. In reality, now we find out that the plan appears to be taking six CHP officers who are already stationed here in San Francisco and having them drive around the Tenderloin and SOMA.”
“So, I wish the governor would focus less on these publicity stunts and more on working on us to actually improve the community,” he added.
Wolf, meantime, is just thankful that there’s focus on combating the crisis.
“We definitely need to do something, so adding more law enforcement is a first step in that direction,” he said.
Jury is still out, he said, if that increased police presence will be enough to deter drug dealers.
“I think they’ll believe it if they see it,” Wolf said. “Until then, I think they’re going to keep doing what they’re doing. There’s too much money to be made out here.”
“That’s why I’m saying I’m cautiously optimistic,” he added. “I’m hopeful something good comes out of this and we can help reclaim this city.”