Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Scouting, Patrolling, Sniping


3 comments:

  1. When I was in the old Republic of Viet Nam, I was a Specialist Four, E-4, Field Radio Relay and Carrier Equipment Repairman (MOS 31L20) in the Signal Corps of the United States Army.

    However, my final assignment in the United States Army was as a Sergeant, E-5, Cavalry Scout (MOS 11D20)at Fort Hood, Texas.

    My unique uniform included a black beret (many years before the Army adopted the black beret for all personnel), a "US" cavalry belt buckle on a black leather garrison belt, and a pair of silver spurs on my jump boots.

    Our scout platoon operated in teams of two gun M-151 jeeps, each M-151 jeep equipped with a pedestal-mounted M-60 7.62 millimeter machine gun and PRC-25 radio transceiver, with three men to a jeep, i.e., a driver, observer, and a gunner, just like in the television series, "THE RAT PATROL".

    Each scout was armed with an M-16 5.56 millimeter rifle, an M-7 bayonet, and a Colt M-1911 .45 caliber pistol, in addition to being equipped with a steel pot helmet, flak vest, and M-17 protective mask (i.e., "gas mask").

    Later, we switched from using jeeps to using M-113 personnel carriers equipped with a T.O.W. missile, two M-60 7.62 millimeter machine guns, and a Browning M-2 .50 caliber machine gun.

    Today, as an elderly disabled war veteran, I wear the black cavalry Stetson with the yellow hat cord and the "7th Cavalry" crossed sabers.

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    Replies
    1. The Stetson is for the baddest of the bad. Good choice.

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    2. Your comment made me think of this:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBksHaTQCbU

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