Whoops.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canadian%20general%20Kandahar%20under%20investigation%20after%20rifle%20discharges%20while%20loading%20ammo/2920276/story.html

stuff happens

slam fire?

Michael Yon just posted on this on facebook...

I suspect this will end poorly for the general.

If that shit happened on my bird I would be beating some BG ass with a pump handle on the double quick.  

Your Rifle...hand it over.  You can have it back when we get home!  Don't make me pull this helicopter over!

He was rightfully defending Canada's fresh water resources from American Imperialism.







 

Was this the first shot fired in a future war between Canada and the United States?

lol... old crew cheifs, bless 'em.

I've heard it can happen from constantly chambering the same round over and over, but I have never actually seen it happen.

Canadian war strategy cannot be divulged over the internetz at any cost.
 

Canadian Generals don't get out much during pre-deployment training.  What I mean to say is that they are always doing "more important things" while the troops are doing weapon handling drills for the umpteenth time.  And I say that with a straight face.  The things that our generals do are truly very important.  The problem is that a balance must be struck.  If the good General is going to venture forth all gunned up with a personal carbine on the field of battle, then he ought be competent with his personal weapon.  This one was apparently not sufficiently competent, and as a result he had a negligent discharge.  Yes, NEGLIGENT, not accidental....

This is a problem of training, not basic competence.  Brigadier-General Menard is very busy thinking of the next Strategic move in Kandadahar, Afghanistan.  That will decide (in turn) the next Operational and Tactical moves by the Canadian and U.S. forces under his command.  His personal weapon handling is seemingly incidental, but nonetheless important as it could actually kill someone.  He has a close-protection party to take care of him, and let's be honest - has he ever really left the wire of a FOB?  Carrying a carbine and walking around in full "battle rattle" is false CG bravado, and this time it has backfired.

Notwithstanding all of the above, Kudos to the BGen for admitting his mistake (not that it wouldn't have been reported on the NCO net regardless).  By manning up to the fact, he leads a culture of responsibility for one's actions.  He will be Summarily Tried (Article 15) by the Major General commanding Canadian Forces Expeditionary Command (CEFCOM) and will be found guilty as admitted.  He will be fined more than a Private would be in order to demonstrate that rank has no privilege when it comes to basic soldier skills and weapons handling safety.  

The average fine for a negligent discharge is $1800.  Expect BGen Menard to plead guilty and pay in the order of $2400.

Are you affiliated with the Calgary Highlanders??

No shit.  Have gunny chew is ass out like in the Pacific.  But a Court Martial?








 

What was a general doing loading a rifle?

He didn't fess up until a month later, when Michael Yon heard about it and started asking questions.  It doesn't take a lot of training to learn how to safely load and unload an M4, especially since he shouldn't have been chambering a round while on the flight line, and he reportedly almost hit someone with his ND, and DID damage a US helicopter.





 

That's important enough to make the news?








Plenty of other things in Afghanistan to be more concerned about.