in my eight years as an 11C 60mm were always humped and the 81mm always had a vehicle (M113 APC or HMMV)
Marine 81mm Mortar Sections are foot mobile units. In fact, as part of any infantry unit tactical movement test, every piece of the weapon, tube, tripod and baseplate, is spread loaded throughout the section and carried.
This foolishness with sending women into combat units is disgraceful. No, they absolulty do not adhere to the same standards as men in the unit. Females have a completely different physical fitness test, height and weight standard and body fat standard.
This absurdity will get these girls hurt and dramatically reduce the combat effectiveness of the unit. Our security is enhanced when our Emmy both fear us and respect our capability. This action deminishes both. Only Political Correctness can be the reason this happened. It surely does not enhance our combat capability.
Terry L Walker
CWO5
Marine Gunner
USMC Retired
1974-2008
I remember reading about a Korean war vet that humped a 15 pound base plate and found out the mortar was destroyed 5 hours earlier in a firefight. He slung it away like a frisbee and almost cried on the ground afterwards.
Read “We were soldiers once...”the mortar platoons humped their equipment through the jungle. Not all situations allow mobile platforms. I recall many a mile humping our 81mm and forget depending on the mules, they ran great at the M.P. but in the field.. not so well. This will not work well if a part of the mortar does not show up because one of the crew can’t pull her weight. Or is unable to carry ammo.