boogershooter said:
A drill sargents definition usually trumps all others,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NP8y63Ms4o
that and their sixth grade education! What I told is taught in just about every arty school on this planet. I might also add here that virtually all main guns on any capital ship are listed as rifles due to their trajectory. Dig out your Websters Dictionary
gary
actually some of my closest friends are DI's and Drill Sargents from the old school. The issue with calling a weapon a gun is purely show for them (if you get him to admit it). We've discussed this more than once, and their point of view (well taken I might add) is purely the fact that they wanted you to have respect for whatever weapon system you were operating. A loaded firearm is not to be taken for granted at anytime. My very first platoon sargent was the last Darby Ranger in the US military. I've seen him send many a fool out to the parade field to push a .308 case with his nose while reciting the poem. We never had a problem as I knew right away that was what he wanted. He taught me how to shoot after he learned that I'd never shot anything bigger than a BB gun. (liked to beat my head silly with that red & green sign). We lost a good man when Howard passed on like so many WWII vets have. His hobby was bar room brawls, and the guy would seriously hurt you in less than half a minute. I learned respect for that man almost instantly, and everytime I saw him in dress uniform I was amazed at all the stuff he had on there (four sets of jump wings alone). His CIB was a max award, and it was said that he could have had five stars inside the wreath. But his most cherished award was his path finder's tab plus his glider patch. I might add that he had a masters in Psychology from the University of Georgia.
gary
Do I perceive some sarcasm in your post? I am not sure how to take your remark about Drill Sergeants which I assume includes Drill Instructors and their sixth grade education. I know several Marine Drill Instructors with College degrees including one with a Masters Degree. As far as you and your Webster's Dictionary use of the terms capital ship and their rifles, you may be technically correct but in reality those terms are seldom used. A 16" gun was just that a 16" gun. My cousin was a Petty Officer 1st Class Gunners Mate on a 16" turret on the Battleship Iowa, I guess according to Webster's Dictionary he should have been a Petty Officer 1st Class Rifle Mate.