Combat is a lot more than rounds going down range. Anyone who has served in the Combat Arms can tell you that. In Combat you want anything that will give you an edge at your disposal. Marines still do and always will train, deploy and be proficient with the bayonet.
Belive it or not, the bayonet is a very beneficial tool. Sure, to joe the weekend range warrior, armchair QB it seems antiquated and stupid. Thats why joe is a weekend range warrior and not fighting for the greatest country on earth.
I could go on for days but I won't waste my breath. But in closing I will say this.
1. Bayonets scare the fuck out of people. Maybe not in the hands of some toothless, redneck retard at the gunshow but, in the hands of US Marine it's a different story.
2. Would you be willing to get into a knife fight with someone wielding a rifle with a bayonet attached (in essence a spear)?? Ever heard of Reach!!
3. It's better to "HAVE IT" and "NOT" need it then to "NEED IT" and not "HAVE IT". Same motto I hear from everybody's suck about CCW.
4. An attached bayonet is a direct representation of the "Spirit of the WARRIOR". When you put it on and think back to WWI and WWII where the bayonet was an everyday tool of the KILL [shudder]. It takes a lot of moxy, discipline and inner strength to go toe to toe with steel.
Whoa be the person disabled, unarmed, laying on the ground in fear, unable to move as the enemy approaches with bayonets fixed. Do you think they will waste a bullet on you??
Well, this phsychological edge exists before the afformentioned scenario ever plays out. It's not a pleasant thought.
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Semper-Fi Do or Die, 03 out!!