Posted on 04/17/2016 3:48:53 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
On the cobbled alleyways of Montmartre, as a busker warbled La Vie en Rose and street artists painted watercolours of the view over Paris, Master Corporal Jean-Claude had been up since dawn leading a platoon of soldiers on patrol in full camouflage and flak jackets with fingers resting lightly near the triggers of their assault rifles.
“Our mission is to protect, dissuade and reassure,” he said in clipped tones, as his men from the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment, normally based in Brittany, snaked past pavement cafes, tour groups and couples kissing, scanning all around for bombs or terrorists.
A young man leapt forward to ask for a selfie with the bizarre, yet now commonplace, sight of combat troops on the streets of Paris. “Sorry, rules don’t allow it,” said a senior officer who had spent most of his career serving in difficult war zones he was not allowed to name.
Children stared open-mouthed at the guns. Locals smiled and the occasional tourist came forward to ask for directions to famous landmarks. “I’m not from Paris but I’m slowly getting to know the place and I always try to help,” said a heavily armed junior soldier who grew up in rural Normandy.
After last year’s terrorist attacks on Paris, the president, François Hollande, declared that France was at war and swiftly saturated the streets of main cities with soldiers standing guard in full military fatigues to make people feel more secure. The now permanent presence of thousands of soldiers in khaki across the capital and major cities has transformed the image and mood of France.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Not normally, but they are capable.
Normally, you’d have your platoon officer, a 2lt or Lt. You would then have a platoon warrant officer, normally a warrant or sometimes a Sergeant. You’d then have three section commanders, normally a Sergeant or master corporal.
Are they allowed to have live ammo?
Found the manual here:
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-content/uploads/manuals/FAMAS%20F1%20manual%20English.pdf
Those are bipod legs, and I think the barrel ribbing has to do with barrel-launched grenades, but I’m not sure.
At first I though it was a FAMAS G-2, but it has a straight magazine and the G-2 has a curved one.
materiel, fusillading fire...
If it wasn’t for we ‘Gramps’ you smart-mouthed kids would not have a country to live free in-don’t ever forget the thousands here and millions worldwide that saved civilization-—since you are ‘Retired Army’(meaning 20 yrs or better of service) why call the modern day French soldier names just because you many not like his government actions-—I have little regard for the so called ‘leaders’ in place in our government today but would hardly take it out on the troops!!
If it wasn’t for we ‘Gramps’ you smart-mouthed kids would not have a country to live free in-don’t ever forget the thousands here and millions worldwide that saved civilization-—since you are ‘Retired Army’(meaning 20 yrs or better of service) why call the modern day French soldier names just because you many not like his government actions-—I have little regard for the so called ‘leaders’ in place in our government today but would hardly take it out on the troops!!
enfilading
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