Posted: 8/1/2007 12:39:07 PM EDT
| i plan on enlisting in the marines in the next couple of years and i'm interested in purchasing an m4 type gun in the meantime -- i'd like to get to know the gun as well as use it for sport and defense. granted, when i get the gun, i'd be "training" for future use in the military, therefore i'm torn between an a2 or an a3/4 upper. do you think the a2, with its forged sights and what not, would be better to train my eye and muscle memory as opposed to getting a flat top and being tempted to throw on a nice sight. if i were to get a flat top, i think i'd initially purchase a rear folding sight and front folding sight. this is my first gun so i'm looking for something simple and relatively inexpensive. i plan on going to some gun shows but as far as online buying goes, i have my eyes set on an rra a2 or a4, and also a panther dpms model. i know most of you guys (and gals?) know yalls stuff so hit me up with some info or suggestions for a first gun. thanks. |
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Do NOT shoot anything under the premise that you are training for the Corps. When you get to boot camp, but PMIs will teach you THEIR way, the correct way. Do not get bad habits now. But, if you just want the rifle for a bit of fun, get an A2 pattern rifle. Rock River Arms A2 lower with A2 stock and stock trigger, and a Bushmaster 1/7 twist Govt profile A2 upper is closest to what you will be issued in boot camp. But my advice, is to take a break from shooting before you go. Do not reinforce any bad habits you may have, or learn any new ones. You will be taught properly once in, and usually the folks who have never shot before do better than those who have and have to unlearn bad habits. |
If you want to make more money be a contractor . A year's pay in 3 months There is plenty of money and plenty of work to go around, much of it taken by Blackwater -- one of the larger companies and perhaps the best known, because tragedy befell its employees in Falluja March 31, 2004. Four employees were killed -- two of their bodies hung from a bridge. Blackwater was founded in 1997, and business boomed after 9/11. Wartime demands are allowing it to expand even further, and it recently opened new headquarters in North Carolina, where it can train people from the military and law enforcement. Blackwater also looks for opportunities beyond war zones to disaster areas, such as the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, or places where peacekeepers could be stationed, like the crisis-hit region of Darfur in Sudan. Cofer Black, a former head of the CIA Counterterrorism Center and now vice-chairman of Blackwater, said the company is ready to tackle more hot spots. "My company could deploy a reasonable small force under guidance or leadership of any national authority and do a terrific job of protecting, you know, innocent women from being raped, young kids from having their arms hacked off with machetes." Like most contractors, Gonzo is ex-military and has specific personal reasons for being in Iraq and facing the danger. A veteran of the first Gulf War, he says he can earn in three months what it would take him a year to get in the United States. "My wife and I are pretty frugal. My goal is pretty simple -- I just want to be able to pay off a house and some property." He holds up a picture of his three children. "We all have to be over here for a reason. Mine's so that I can provide a better life for my wife and kids." http://www.blackwaterusa.com/contact/ A lot of people are making $150,000.00 a year and are only working for 6 months ! JUST a thought .  I believe you get and m16 to use. |
Exactly what he said, period. Let the Corps do the teaching. Impress them with your ability to learn new things, not what you already know. If anything become fimiliar with the control locations and how to clean and lube. |
| Take it from a former Marine PMI here, if you realy want to learn the right way get a 20" barrel A2 or A4 that is CMP legal and start shooting in CMP matches. Join your state rifle association and they can help you. This is the only recreational type training I would reccomend. |
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Contract Opportunities Personal Security Specialist / Mobile Security Medic/Instructor EMTs Information Technology Staff Wanted Pilot – Rotary Wing/ MD 530 F Pilot Blackwater USA is soliciting resumes for the following positions pending contract awards. If you are qualified and the contracts are awarded, you will be contacted at that time. * Personal Security Specialist(PSS) * PSS/DDM * EDD Handler * ALSS * IA * Instructor CONUS * Armorer * Maintenance Positions * Medical Officer * Physician Assistant * PSS/EMTI General Contract Requirements: * Must be willing and able to deploy for 6 months. * Must be a U.S. Citizen, proof of citizenship is required. * Weight must be proportionate to height. * Must maintain a neat and clean appearance. * Must be in good health and pass a physical test. * Most positions require ability to obtain/maintain a secret or higher clearance. * No history of major illness or mental disorder. * Must have an Honorable Discharge and DD-214. * No felony, violent crimes, spouse or child abuse convictions(NO WAIVERS) * No personal bankruptcy or significant credit problems with past seven (7) years. TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME CLICK HERE. Be sure to include your email address on all correspondence so we may contact you. By submitting your application, you will be considered for all available positions. It is not necessary to fill out multiple applications.  YEP 7 YEARS LAW ENFORCEMENT OR 4 YEARS MILITARY 1
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COLT.... Why are you bringing up Contractor Info? Being a Marine means more than $$$ can ever buy. There is more to life than $$$ my friend. Somethings...and to include the title "Marine" can not be bought. You young man is asking to be a part of the world's finest fighting force...not to be a future cowboy. Maj |
?? if we could focus on the topic... |
Absolutely true...Blackwater won't bat an eye at you unless you have special military experience. Army SF, USAF Pararescue, USAF combat controller, USMC Force Recon, SEALs, Ranger, etc. Sorry guys, the MOS for Water Purification doesn't apply. |
It's already been said & I'll say it again. Forget about trying to get familiar with an AR/M16 just because you plan to enlist. Regardless of what you know prior to getting to the Island, it doesn't mean poop. If anything you will run your suck to another recruit about having learned a lil about this or that before shipping out & your DI's will make you pay. As a former SDI myself, I can attest to this. Your motivation & willingness to apply previous knowledge to the mission at hand will show by your actions. You will be in boot camp to be taught what we need you to learn...to learn the Marine Corps way. Focusing on shooting now is not necessarilly a bad thing & may help you pick up the fundamentals a lil easier. But what a recruit's done before getting dropped to my plt. never meant poop to me or my DI's. However, if you were my recruit you will learn the way the Corps commands me to instruct you. Your PMI's have a job to do for a reason & you will learn how they teach you to shoot or you'll be recycled. Get recycled again & you're on your way for an admin discharge. Then you'll be smoking & joking with your pals back on the block looking for another job. Now don't take what I say to harshly or as a slam on you. Too many kids on here ask the same questions every week. I have them IM me for the scoop & I extend the same invite to you. Your interest in trying to get ahead of the game is admirable, but trying to learn Marine Corps marksmanship now is not going to do you much good a few years from now since it can't be replicated. |
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My advice though worthless is: Take up PT and give the rifle a rest. Jogging and pull-ups would be a good place to start. They will teach you how they want you to shoot. Also don't try to stand out (draw fire) in Basic. Strive for the middle. You don't want to be the top guy or one the guys that always gets the attention. Life will be much easier that way. |
Not a way to be a 5.0 Marine, but it works.
You never know, he might talk to his recruiter and get sent to become a Hollywood Marine. Get a cadence tape and run. Run your ass off. Get an Alice Pack (they still use those?) and put 60lbs in it and start walking. When you get really really tired, turn around and go the exact route back that you just walked. If your heart is set on getting an AR, don't shoot it, disassemble it and clean it 2x a day. Sleep with it and don't let it out of your sight. Find out what the final PFT is and shoot to max it out. 3 miles in 18 minutes is the minimum? Do it in 10 minutes. 20 pull-up max? Be able to do 25 or more before basic. 80 Sit-ups in 2 minutes, Do 100 in 2 minutes before basic. What I remember is that your body breaks down while in boot. I was able to do 14 pull ups before basic. In the middle of basic I could ony do 8. You're working out 6 days a week. YOur body doesn't have time to heal. By the end of basic I was back up to 17 pull ups. Hardwarz |
Your body will be able to accomplish whatever your mind allows. Start eating right, get as much rest as you can now before you ship. Your back will take the brunt of abuse Marine Corps conditioning will dish out. I'm not advising you to train for an Olympic decathalon, but being in good physical condition will help your mind overcome some mental obstacles you will encounter from the stress & total culture shock you'll experience soon enough. The Corps has been criticized for the type of PT we're subjected to. The boots issued back in my day were a huge part of some of the lower body & back injuries that were so common esp in the grunts. But I will tell you that you will be a new unit if you complete recruit training (which isn't the end all as far as total toughness) but please ensure you are conditioning your body as best you can before you step on the yellow foot prints. Start telling yourself you can do what ever you want. And you have to want to get thgough the Marines. The Corps doesn't really need you. You have to want the Corps. To tweek an old adage: You can take the man outta the Corps, but you can never take the Corps outta the man. Your DI's are gonna play some games you'd never think could be played. I can't stress enough about getting your mind  Good luck to you & feel free to shoot me an IM anytime. I can give some scoop from my time as a DI that most thinking about joinng will not get from their 'cruiters.
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Since you mentioned BA I'm assuming you are currently in college & want to go the commissioned officer route? If that's the case you need to get with an OSO (Officer Selection Officer) at or near your local college. If that's not the case please be more specific with your current situation. It's admirable that you want to become familiar with the M16, however, if you're wanting to be an officer you have other things to worry about. I apologize in advance if I'm the one that's confused with your post. Either way the Corps is the most specific about training its recruits/officer candidates with marksmanship fundamentals. If you're just wanting to have fun & shoot your rifle that's great. IM me with more specific questions since I used to train hogs (recruits) for a spell during my AD time & know a lil bit about this process. If I can help you in any way that's then I'm more than happy to do so. I'm also still doing my Corps a favor despite the fact I'm prior service if I can get your squared away before you enter service. And no offense to the other gents that have posted here that have tried to help you either. |
 Don't ask don't tell.Just messing with you. 3 miles 10 minutes is a good thing to shoot for! lol (My math is a little off, I was of course a 0311) hahahaha Hardwarz |