[saturninus.ribb]

It seems that history is repeating itself.

When I first joined, the system in use on Pearl Harbor Day was still in use vis-a-vis Long and Hand Guns in Garrison. The only weapons that were kept in the Arms Room fell into three categories: weapons still unissued; Heavy Weapons that had no place outside of actual combat or training, and Personal Weapons. The Issued Weapons - which included Long Guns for those who carried them (Rifles, Carbines, and Shot Guns) and Hand Guns (Pistols and Revolvers), again for those authorized to carry them. In those days, the term "carry" had different connotations than it does today. Today, it means tbeing able to keep it in your personal possession as you wish. In those days it meant being authorized to actually use it. In any event, Long Guns and Handguns had to be kept in their Racks in the Barracks, with sufficient Racks in each Barracks Room for the Platoon(s) that resided therein. The Squad Leaders and the Platoon Sergeants held the rack keys. The rationale was threefold: First of all, your weapon was accessible at any time, so you had absolutely no excuse about it being clean and properly maintained. Second, your Squad Leader could schedule Range Time as your Platoon felt necessary, and he could draw Ammo from the Arms Room accordingly on Range Day, and take his Squad to the Range for Rifle Practice. Third, should the Post become under attack, it was easier for the units to assume a Defensive posture. It was this last one that proved itself on Pearl Harbor Day because the Ground units were able to return fire and bring some of the planes down.

Problems cropped up during the Vietnam War where weapons accountability became an issue, and weapons started to show up on the streets. Furthermore, Range Time became scarce because of the rush to push units out the door, as well as Maintenance time, so it was decided that Garrison Rules were changed. Rifles and Hand Guns were locked up in the Arms Room, and taken out only when the Commander required them. Of course, personal retention of Rifles and Hand Guns in the field was maintained for obvious reasons.

The problem with the mass storage of Rifles and Hand Guns is that one person has to account for the entire unit Armory, and slip ups and miscounts are just as easy - possibly easier - as with the Dispersed Storage.

The question now arises: how many other Rifles are missing? How many of them have been reported?