[DJ Taylor]

“Grenade training was literally one day.”

That one brought on a “Flash-Back.”

In April 1969, a replacement was assigned to my Long Range Recon team just before we were to be inserted into the A Shau Valley, and I had to quickly train him on our team SOPs. When we got the part of our Immediate Action Drill that called for a grenade toss, the “New-be” said, “I’ve never thrown a grenade, how do you do it?”

Needless to say that puzzled me, as this man had just gone through Basic Training, AIT, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. So I asked him, “Didn’t you throw a grenade in Basic Training?” and he replied, “It rained that day in Basic Training.”

And it all went down hill from there:

http://www.projectdelta.net/the_ashau.htm

[simon says what]

“Didn’t you throw a grenade in Basic Training?” and he replied, “It rained that day in Basic Training.” And it all went down hill from there: http://www.projectdelta.net/the_ashau.htm

I understand your point, and if we were in a situation like Vietnam where we were sending thousands of fresh recruits every month directly into combat, I'd be more concerned as well. As it stands, infantry and other combat positions can train up in AIT or their assigned unit.

[simon says what]

“Didn’t you throw a grenade in Basic Training?” and he replied, “It rained that day in Basic Training.” And it all went down hill from there: http://www.projectdelta.net/the_ashau.htm

I understand your point, and if we were in a situation like Vietnam where we were sending thousands of fresh recruits every month directly into combat, I'd be more concerned as well. As it stands, infantry and other combat positions can train up in AIT or their assigned unit.

[JDoutrider]

It is good to see another Recon soldier who survived the Ashua alive and well here on FreeRepublic!