You got that right. After the First Battle of Falluja there was a 'War Crimes Investigation'. It seems there was an inordinate amount of enemy killed by single shots to the head leading certain JAG weenies to believe that executions had taken place.
Further investigation showed that the Marines involved had used the new optical sighting systems (ACOG mostly) to good effect against an enemy who rarely presented much more than their heads as targets.
By the way I learned that the guys who have ACOGS and Aimpoints are buying their own before they deploy. They're not standard issue, at least not by the Army.
On a tangent on Armed Forces Day I was privileged enough to meet several Officers and men who had recently returned from Iraq and Lurker Jr and I had an exteneded opportunity to talk with several of them.
As Lurker Jr demonstrated the proper way to field strip an M-4 ("it's just like yours, dad except this one has the 3 position switch..)in front of an amused Army Lt. I asked if they're comfortable with the issue weapons, specifically the M-4.
"They're all a trade off." was his reply. He said he LOVES the M-4 when they're clearing buildings. But he also stated that there are people in his unit with the accurized, scoped M-14 (really M1A's as they have no fully automatic capability) who are functioning as 'designated marksmen'.
To a man those guys "LOVE" that weapon.
Now you have to keep in mind that this young Lt. was standing in front of a fully up armored Humvee that sported an M-19 Grenade Launcher in a CROW's system on top.
Did I mention that this all this was happening in the parking lot of a rather upscale Country Club? You should have seen the looks on the faces of the snooty golfers walking by while my 13 year old, who was wearing as much 'battle rattle' as he could without falling over, field stripped an M-4 on the hood of the vehicle....Priceless!
The upshot of the several conversations I had with both Officers and enlisted is that by and large the M4 is 'satisfactory' as long as it's employed properly.
The only weapon they expressed dissatisfaction with was the M9. "Not enough power" and "We want .45's" was expressed unanimously.
As to 'stopping power', well shot placement is the key there. If you stick a .22 LR in someones ear, they're done and I don't care who they are.
Hit that same person in an non-vital area with a 30-06 and they're still in the fight. That's been going on forever....
My best to you and yours and to all my fellow Veterans I bid you a happy and peaceful Memorial Day.
Raise a glass or two to our brothers and sisters who are no longer with us if you please....
Regards,
L
Sounds like you’ve raised your son right if he’s field-stripping an M4 at age 13.
The USMC is putting ACOGs on ALL of their rifles now. They consider it a humongous upgrade in combat effectiveness, making 400 yard shots routine.
You don’t want to be shooting iron sight AK-47s against a bunch of Jarheads with M-16s with ACOGs. You will not even be in the game at 100+ yards. Spears vs. Maxims.