Yeah that blasted lame stream media- can't get even the simple crap straight....
Several things confused me- for quite awhile now the 'Merican semi industry has been cranking out excellent to crappy semis. I can't help but wonder why a European company will produce our squad marksman weapon.
Next it is the squad marksman weapon. I was straight leg, and a Mech monkey back in the old 113 Alcoa can APC days. The exact role, level of training and weapon to be used has been a bit of a football.
Is he a super grunt or a lower level sniper? Does his weapon need to use the same ammo as the squad or will he be an ammo queen needing his own special ammo? Is he to make the 'through the scope' shot or take out a hunkered down machine gunner? Does he go out as part of a patrol? Guys were a tad skiddish about carrying the old M16A1 (musket) in a team of M4's as they felt they were bullet magnets- the bad guys thinking the bigger rifle was important.
Body armor is a quandary- if it is that important an issue then wouldn't you want the ENTIRE squad armed with an effective answer to improved body armor??? Then there is the issue of Body Armor defeating ammo not being as effective on soft no vest opponents. It tends to 'zip' right through.
Back when the operational tempo was intense any rifleman and any rifle was thrown into DM- the variety of rifles, from old M14's to boutique specialty, to mid sized company's concept was issued. Now the force as stabilized- well as much as the Infantry ever stabilizes- and the thinkers be thinking- expand the DM mission, polish the cannonball, at a neat bell and a sweet sounding whistle who knows...
Will the DM be trained to a sniper standard as the 7.62 is a basic, school trained sniper round. Will he be a better than average shot in the squad so every squad has a 'sniper-lite' member... all will be tossed about for a bit...
But why not a 'Merican rifle???
eace