Some US troops in Afghanistan patrol with unloaded weapons

The US Report ^ | 19 May 2010 | Chris Carter

[Crush]

Commanders have reportedly ordered a U.S. military unit in Afghanistan to patrol with unloaded weapons.

Some soldiers are being ordered to conduct patrols without a round chambered in their weapons, The US Report has learned from an anonymous source at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. Our source was unsure if the order came from his unit or if it affected other units.

On war correspondent Michael Yon's Facebook page, commenters stated that this is a common practice in Iraq, while others said that it is occurring in Afghanistan as well. According to military protocol, “Amber” status requires weapons to have a loaded magazine, but the safety on and no round chambered.

"The idea that any combat unit would conduct any operation, including patrolling and even manning a security post -- in which direct action may-or-may not take place -- and not having weapons loaded, borders on being criminally negligent in my opinion," says Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr., a recognized expert on terrorism and military/national defense issues. "This is nothing more than infusing politically correct restrictions into already overly restrictive rules of engagement. And this PC nonsense is going to get people killed."

According to Smith, "American soldiers are highly skilled in the use of 'loaded' weapons, and so should be trusted to operate with 'loaded' weapons. If someone overseeing decisions on ROE thinks not, then ratchet up training. But don't put a man on the street and force him to go through multiple prompts when a gunfight breaks out. Remember, the situation can go from quiet to kinetic in half the time it takes to breathe."

In an ambush situation, just how long does it take to engage a target when your weapon isn't already loaded?

[RipSawyer]

“I think you vastly underestimate the ability of high-level officers and politicians to treat our military like retarded children.”
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Well, it ain’t possible to OVERestimate it is it?

[RipSawyer]

“Can you silently chamber a round?”
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I can’t even do it silently on a T-bolt .22, pretty quietly but not silently, and I have owned it for 45 years. I have a .270 and chambering a round in it makes all kinds of noise. Loading the chamber in my pump shotgun makes enough noise to hear a hundred yards away.

[RipSawyer]

There are still a few WWII vets around, I know at least two, one is 85 and the other is 90. The 85 year old is a guy I see in the gym almost every time I go, he still works out regularly.

[WayneS]

A long time ago, I was told by a Marine who said he was assigned to the barracks in Beriut at the time it was attacked that they were not even allowed to have a magazine loaded with live ammunition inserted in their weapon. So, in order to fire their weapon at the approaching t4ruck-bomb, the sentries would have had to retrieve a magazine from its pouch, insert said magazine, chamber a round, THEN aim and fire.

I’ve always wondered if this was true. I mean, Ronald Reagan was CIC at the time.

Is there anyone out there who was in Beruit when our Marine barracks was truck-bombed by radical islamic terrorists and who can confirm or deny that story?

[em2vn]

I have to admit I never heard the term War Zone D. I rode Vietnamese boats in the Delta in Three Corp and Four Corp as an advisor.

[CIB-173RDABN]

Goggle it. It was also known as Iron Triangle.

[prayin4_swcb]

Thanks for your comment!! At least someone out there agrees with me....”Bring them home sooner than soon!!”

[2harddrive]

The REALITY is: These Rules of Engagement were put out by someone who not only has no gunfighting experience...but who most probably is AFRAID of firearms, and perhaps has never TOUCHED one!