RANGER AGAINST WAR: Soldier's Handbook Cover Errors <

Monday, May 24, 2010

Soldier's Handbook Cover Errors

--Bill Mauldin Now

Evil man make me kill you

Evil man make you kill me

--Machine Gun
, Jimi Hendrix
_________________

Here is the deconstruction of the cover of The Soldier's Handbook, HQ DA, Tradoc Pamphlet 600-4, which depicts a Light Machine Gun Team using their machine gun in what appears to be a medium MG application.

This means that a tripod and traversing & elevating mechanism appear to be attached to the gun. It is hard to tell from the photo, but the T & E appears to be present. If so:

[1] Why is the gunner looking so intently at his sights, since the gun is locked in?

[2] Why isn't the gunner's left hand in position to adjust the T & E?


[3] Why is the bipod folded down when it is not being used?


[4] No eye or ear protection


[5] Why is the gun on a tripod, as this is not a prepared firing position?

They are set up as a hasty position and their gun is too high. Their profile adds to their being placed where bullets can hit them more easily. If you are shooting at them, then surely they are shooting at you.
Tripods are usually dug-in to present a lower profile and less of a target signature.

[6] The soldier's faces are camouflaged but not their hands.
How can you have camouflage on your face without covering your hands? The gunner has a light reflective wristwatch on his left wrist.

[7] Where is the assistant gunner's assigned weapon? It should be within easy reach, since he is the gunner's last defense.


[8] Why is the belt of ammunition apparently resting upon the ground? This is poor service to the gun as the ammo should not be contaminated by trash or dirt.

Ranger finds the error-ridden cover photo sets the tone for the rest of the handbook. Who writes these pamphlets? NEXT: Weapon mistakes

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10 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Who writes these pamphlets?"

Why, a contractor, of course.

:)

Jay in N.C.

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:52:00 AM GMT-5  
Anonymous RangerHazen said...

Private Contractors administered by Butterbars....

We're fucking DOOMED!

PS Jimbo I know those jokers we're wearing Greased Lightening Patches and I believe you wear your unit patch in IBOC...They HAVE TO BE OFFICERS as no self respecting line NCO in the 25th ID would let such idiocy be put on display.

PS I was a 60 Gunner...A RANGER 60 Gunner and as such...I fucking RULE! :) LOL

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 2:10:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Lisa said...

RangerHazen,

A Ranger 60 gunner, eh? No doubt, bad to the bone, and intelligent, to boot; you are a true danger Ranger :)

Since I know a little of your family's esteemed military background, I wish you a special Memorial Day.

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 2:56:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

RANGER HAZEN,
Wherever this pic was taken it falls on the Tradoc Cdr. and his band of idiots that put this out as doctrine.
It's wrong an many levels.
jim

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 3:46:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger rangeragainstwar said...

Jay,
Actually GS 1710 series , educational specialists put out this stuff.
Obviously there's a disconnect somewhere.
jim

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 3:51:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous RangerHazen said...

Thanks Lisa,

Hazen's have been serving since my ancestor Moses Hazen... Who fought in the French and Indian War and was an original Ranger and Revolutionary Officer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Hazen...Many of Edward Hazen's descendants like Moses served with distinction through out our country's history. Present company included or excluded depending on your point of view. LOL

Peace... Prosperity... and Blessings to all those on R.A.W. who served and to their loved ones! :)

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 4:02:00 PM GMT-5  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oops! I would have bet my lunch money that a private contractor, PR type firm did the thing and probably used models (as in non-military, model for money types). I would have extended my error by guessing that no combat infantry or Ranger type personnel were even on site when the photo was set up. Shows what I know!

However, being wrong doesn't prevent me from being deeply suspicious. :)

Jay in N.C.

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 4:05:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger The Minstrel Boy said...

come on, you know that the real work of infantry doesn't make for pretty pictures.

'sides, if they showed pictures of what goes on, along with the smells that come from being out in the boonies for weeks at a time, or having to make choices between things like water for washing and water for drinking, nobody'd want to join yo.

my best wishes to all of you. those who served are among the finest people i have ever known or hope to know. they represented, with few exceptions, that which is best about us as a people. selflessness, generosity, compassion, all of that was present and accounted for.

to those who could not, or did not serve for what ever reason. i thank you too and wish you a good memorial day. you are the reasons we joined and went. it would have been meaningless without this nation to pretend we were defending.

my memorial day menu is carne asada, lots of beans, lots of rice, and cantelope ice cream.

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 5:48:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Lisa said...

RangerHazen and M.B.,

Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts on this Memorial Day.

As MB so eloquently says,

"those who served are among the finest people i have ever known or hope to know. they represented, with few exceptions, that which is best about us as a people. selflessness, generosity, compassion, all of that was present and accounted for"

That certainly holds for both of you, and so many other servicemen and women I have had the privilege of coming to know.

Monday, May 24, 2010 at 11:55:00 PM GMT-5  
Blogger Terrible said...

"who writes these pamphlets?"

I see it's already been said but since Reagan I'm sure they are made by a private contractor with no military training.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 4:35:00 PM GMT-5  

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