October 19th, 2021
5minute read
General Quarters, General Quarters.
All hands man your battle stations.
If any naval command sets a crew in motion, it is the call to General Quarters.
A U.S. Navy sailor stands ready to meet Iranian fast-attack boats aboard the USS Kidd in the Persian Gulf. Image: U.S. Navy
These speedboats carry automatic weapons and rocket launchers along with heavily armed boarding parties.
Of particular concern is the emergence of drone ships added to the mix in potential swarm attacks.
Impressive modern technology aside, the M14 remains in many of the ships arsenals.
M14-armed crewman prepared to battle drug runners aboard the hydrofoil USS Taurus in 1990. Image: U.S. Navy
For line-throwing operations, a standard M14 rifle is equipped with the Mk 87 line throwing kit.
The Mk 87 is similar to early 20th-century grenade launching cup-style dischargers.
A safety retaining pin fits through the latch and locks the Mk 87 to the M14.
A crew member aboard thebattleship USS Iowa,armed with an M79 grenade launcherand an M14 rifle, participates in a self-defense force test. Image: U.S. Navy
The loop line connects the shot line to the projectile.
Still Standing
Pro and con comparisons between the M14 (10.7 lbs.
loaded) and the M16 (8.8 lbs.
A U.S. sailor stands watch aboard the USS Tarawa in 2006. Image: U.S. Navy
loaded) have been debated since the early 1960s.
Several young sailors I have spoken to were fascinated by their introduction to the M14s real steel construction.
Just ask the SEALs.
A crewman holds an M14 rifle as another crewman mans anM2 .50-caliber machine gunduring a general quarters drill. Image: U.S. Navy
That is quite an endorsement.
Mineman 3rd Class Arthur Cobles fires an M14 rifle during a weapons qualification aboard the USS Ardent. Image: U.S. Navy
