Something interesting from the Safety Center website regarding personal firearms

[feddoc]

http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/Pages/ashore/explosives/PersonalFirearms.aspx

About mid-page is a blurb about CNO mandated training being under development. Guidelines to come this summer.

Gotta wonder what that is about...I suspect it may go the way of motorcycle training.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I wonder if the requirement to qualify annually on a rifle and pistol in the Marine Corps is good enough...

 

[SynixMan]

Giving everyone who wants it firearms training? That makes too much sense.

 

[fc2spyguy]

As long as it's a funded mandate I'm fine with that. However, if it's an unfunded one then I think it's horsecrap.

Edit: If it's just some nko training, then it won't be worth the paper it's printed on.

 

[Pugs]

As long as it's a funded mandate I'm fine with that. However, if it's an unfunded one then I think it's horsecrap.

Concur. If there is only one thing a person comes out of the military with is some hands on time with a firearm that's not a bad thing.

 

[nittany03]

Giving everyone who wants it firearms training? That makes too much sense.

Keep them locked up? DUH. Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until on target? Double DUH.

It ain't rocket surgery, folks.

 

[phrogdriver]

Mandatory training for PERSONAL firearms? F that.

They've already got my promise to give my life for my country should the need arise. If I want to waste my life on my own time with a firearms accident or crashing a motorcycle, it's my business. As long as I'm not breaking the law, leave me alone.

Are they going to come to my house and check for childproof lids on my bottles, foam padding on all corners, and throw out all my salt shakers to reduce my sodium intake?

I'm sick of the "mother knows best" attitude the military is frequently taking. I'd take a little more abuse on the job, if I could be assured that once I left the gates, I would be on my own program.

 

[Gatordev]

I'm guessing the website info is a result of a message that came out a few weeks ago about firearm training. Apparently there have been a number of personal firearm related injuries and deaths and as a result, Big Navy wants that to stop.

 

[PropStop]

I've heard good things about the motorcycle course from those who have taken it (I don't ride), most frequently that of all the Navy training they've taken, it's the only one that's actually been valuable and made them a better rider.

That being said...if they expect me to give up a Saturday, to buy a hundred bucks in ammo, and to put up with some security forces tool telling me how to shoot, I would have a problem with that.

 

[Spekkio]

Giving everyone who wants it firearms training? That makes too much sense.

They could just reinsert it into boot camp and commissioning programs.

I've heard good things about the motorcycle course from those who have taken it (I don't ride), most frequently that of all the Navy training they've taken, it's the only one that's actually been valuable and made them a better rider.

I have heard nothing but the exact opposite. Perhaps different bases do things differently, but from the way the course is described here (sitting in a classroom for several hours while someone explains why you might want to wear a helmet through a power point) it's quite obvious that it's just a check in the box so the command can say they "did something" about the high rate of bike accidents.

 

[Swanee]

They could just reinsert it into boot camp and commissioning programs.

Or you could be a MAN and join the service that still believes everyone in the military must know how to shoot!

Somehow I don't think this will be an issue in the Marine Corps...

 

[C420sailor]

They could just reinsert it into boot camp and commissioning programs.

I have heard nothing but the exact opposite. Perhaps different bases do things differently, but from the way the course is described here (sitting in a classroom for several hours while someone explains why you might want to wear a helmet through a power point) it's quite obvious that it's just a check in the box so the command can say they "did something" about the high rate of bike accidents.

The MSRC raised my skill level and significantly increased my confidence in my bike's capabilities. So what did I then do for two weeks following the course? Raised my riding like an asshole level.

 

[SWACQ]

Not sure if this is an update or not, but as of today, they have training posted and this blurb

"Personal Firearm Safety training course is now available at Navy E-Learning. Catalog number/Course ID: CSF-PFS-010. Training is optional at this time but recommended for firearm owners. Mandated training will be directed when the next revision to the Navy Recreation and Off-Duty Safety Program (OPNAVINST 5100.25B) instruction is finalized."

I am not sure how this could be enforced other than to say that if you are involved in an off-duty shooting mishap, and did not complete this training, you could be found "not in the line of duty" when it comes to any medical treatment or death benefits.

 

[desertoasis]

I am not sure how this could be enforced other than to say that if you are involved in an off-duty shooting mishap, and did not complete this training, you could be found "not in the line of duty" when it comes to any medical treatment or death benefits.

Sounds about right. Another CYA move by Big Navy in response to the aforementioned 'personal firearm related injuries'. Can't say I'm too surprised by the knee-jerk reaction. Is anyone really?

 

[Bevo16]

I'm guessing the website info is a result of a message that came out a few weeks ago about firearm training. Apparently there have been a number of personal firearm related injuries and deaths and as a result, Big Navy wants that to stop.

As Operations Officer at Navy Casualty, I have seen and/or taken action on EVERY casualty report issued Navy-wide for the past 19 months. There has not been a SINGLE personal firearms related injury/death in that time frame that was not intentionally self inflicted.

Have there been a lot of suicides by personal firearm? Yes.

We also have sailors jump off bridges, hang themselves, overdose on pills, jump to their deaths, and pour gas on themselves and strike a match.

If we really wanted to have useful training that would have an impact, it would be on sailors not taking relationships with women seriously until they are 30. That would solve 90% of our suicides.