Lt. Pantano’s admission that he fired as many as 60 times at the two suspected insurgents “to send a message” – emptying one magazine from his M-16 rifle, then reloading and emptying another – troubled Col. Winn, according to his report.
My guess is that it was a military/political statement about being sent into combat with a .22 while many special forces are getting to use the new Remington .270 (6.8) cartridge. ; )