Basic Training M249 Range

This is video that was recorded by a photography company in Columbus, Georgia while I was in US Army Basic Combat Training from August-Nov 1997. This company would record various bits of training and then rip of the Joes by charging them large quantities of hard-earned money for this bouncy, grainy video. Anyways....its good to have this record of what I was going through, though it is hardly all-encompassing. This is video from the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) range. I was a SAW gunner for a while at Ft. Bragg. There are 2 SAWs per infantry squad (1 per team). Lots of people complain that it is a piece of crap...especially since most are older and prone to jams or malfunctions. If you have a good one, know how to use it and clean it, it will treat you right. Whats funny is if you know about the SAW you can see malfunction after malfunction in this video. One time while in the field at Ft. Bragg (pouring rain, mud everywhere)my SAW jammed and I couldn't pull back the charging handle to clear the jam. Try as I might...with every bit of strength, I couldn't pull it back to clear the weapon. My team leader at the time (Sgt Dimberg I think it was) ran over and tried...he couldn't clear it....he started kicking the charging handle back with his boot...finally after a few good knocks it popped back and I cleared the jam. Yes...that happens...but overall its a good weapon. You if you have seen that video of Al Zarqawi from 2006 (before justice and the US miltary caught up to him) he is firing a SAW and can barely pop off 3 rounds without a jam. Seems our Basic Training privates with a month of training have more control over their weapons than he did. In that same video some of his little choad boys burn their hands grabbing the weapon by the barrel. Nice job geniuses...Anyways...every time I see that video I think of where that weapon came from...most likely captured from a brave US Soldier or Marine like those training here. More clips from my basic training to come.

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• army
• basic
• training
• bct
• fort
• benning
• georgia
• drill
• sergeant
• private
• trainee
• military
• infantry
• m249
• saw
• machine
• gun
• M-249

[shinymarshtop2]

lol dude. at least you got the firepower...

[DalekThay5]

The .223(5.56x45mm NATO round) round looks so cute from there,its a good support weapon though,especially since it can take M16 magazines.

[kevindale2009]

Do you remember the name of the company that recorded these videos? Any info would be appreciated thanks HOOAH!

[Tippet76]

@shotgunn9 Well they're training them with three round bursts so they're training them to use it the same as they're rifles is what I'm saying.

[shotgunn9]

@Tippet76 nope....full auto is required sometimes and less frequent reloading. This is the main point of the weapon. why would we give it to them if we wanted them to use it as a regular service weapon. think about what you're saying.

[luiskilla91592]

@Tippet76 lets state the obvious..

[ranger082469]

@POBulkhead ive got respect for the german fighting soldier dont get me wrong in what im fixing to say. the us fighting soldier has been in combat in one form or another for ten years added to their training makes them the most deadly weapon in the world today

[ranger082469]

kinda figured when i went thru basic at ft benning, i went to the 60 range and saw range. so did they get rid of the 60 all together what a shame there isnt nothing better than humping the tripod and base plate on a forced march. thanks for the info

[rketer]

cmon now 6-9 rd burst lol

[rketer]

@ranger082469 240 replaced the 60 fyi

[Tippet76]

If your only firing three round bursts wouldn't it be just as effective to have an M16 with a bipod?

[ranger082469]

do they train these pups on the 60 anymore that will break their cherries lol