Heavy Weapons Familiarization

Today we got our first look at three heavy weapons systems: the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun, the Mk 19 Grenade Launcher, and two variants of squad automatic weapons -- the M240 Machine Gun and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Examples of all four weapons systems were laid out on the main drilling field. We divided up into groups and received briefs from our drill sergeants on basic operation of each system.

Unlike the other weapons we saw, which are all relatively new, the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun hasn't changed since World War Two -- because, like the shark, it is a nearly perfect killing machine.

We will get to fire all these tomorrow. It rained today so the ranges should be -- squishy.