Somehow, I'm guessing this rule does not apply to the tiny fraction of troops who actually have to worry about "giving themselves away." Or were you one of those ninjas who pulled all the velcro off his uniform because it wasn't "tactical?"
Couple points:
(1) this rule supposedly/reportedly was for troops ON PATROL. So yeah, it applied to the “tiny fraction of troop who actually have to worry about “giving themselves away.””
(2) I was never a “ninja” nor a mall ninja or any other “tactical” form you might label derisively. Nor was I a REMF. Lighten up, Francis.
(3) Can you silently chamber a round? Can a solider on patrol do so? THAT was my point. What’s yours? Just askin’.