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And what Soldier hasn’t enjoyed the time-honored tradition of cleaning a weapon for turn in “to the armorer’s standards”?

God bless armorers, because they will have to clean your weapon if they accept it back to the Arms Room and it is dirty.

But, oh lord, the hours I spent cleaning weapons in the Army.

I grew up around firearms and I was taught to keep them clean, but, oh lord, the hours I spent cleaning weapons in the Army.

You didn’t just clean them to keep them functional. You cleaned them for punishment. You cleaned them to keep you busy. You cleaned them to show you were a good Soldier and could show attention to detail.

And you cleaned them when you were tired and just wanted a hot shower and some sleep.

Please, no one write me about how you have to keep your weapon clean so it will function when you need it.

I already know that.

I’m just describing what it’s like so people who have never been in the military can have a small glimpse into what it’s like to deal with weapons in the military.