“When I was in Viet Nam, once we came back from a patrol (that could last 15 to 20 days) we would have to leave our weapons in our tents. We could not carry weapons on base.
While in the field, we could not have a round in the chamber (they did random checks and would punish any that they caught).
I always wondered why I could be trusted with a loaded gun in the field but not at the base (which by the way came under attack on a regular basis). Sometimes people in authority are just insane.”
Back in 68/69 whenever a VIP visited the base we had to remove the firing pins from our weapons and turn them in to the company commander because we couldn’t be trusted with a functional and loaded weapon while some politician was on base.
Now that rule made sense?
Think about it...
“Now that rule made sense? Think about it...”
It served two purposes: With the draft I would think a few soldiers would love to take a shot at a polidiot. Second, if the enemy attacked you all could hide, re-arm, but let the polidiot get killed.
We never went that far.
You have to wonder if they were afraid of the troops, perhaps they should rethink their policies.