When is the military going to upgrade from the M16 and get more "Advanced Warfighter" equipment?

Question

I'm 18 right now and I eventually plan to join some branch of the military at some point in time. Just about everyone in my family has served and it's something that I want to do as well. I'm 18 now and I think the cut-off limit is 30 so I have until then which is 12 years. I dont know but for some reason when I join I want things to be different, instead of using the same weapon my dad used over 30 years ago. I always here and see all these concepts of what our military will be equiped with in like the year 2015 and so on but it's 2007 now and I don't see anybody with vizors coming over there face giving them an HUD of all there surroundings and there squad. Also how much longer are we going to use the M16/M4 weapons?? I know they are excellent weapons but we have used them for a long as hell time right now. When are we going to switch over to a gun like the SCAR Assault rifle or the HK416? Anytime in the next 12 years maybe? I would be a hell of alot more excited to sign up if so.

Hah yes I know that is a quite absurd reason not to join. I think I'm going to spend about the next 8 years getting in the best shape possible and then join up when I'm about 26. I went to military school 8th through the 10th grade so I have shot civillian grade M16's so I kind of have somewhat of a feel for the actual weapon. I want to eventually try out for the special forces in my army career. I know what it's like to go through hell. We had an "elite" cadet program that was extremely rigorous and I learned alot through that. It's all really just in your head. I hate to imagine what Special Forces training is like but atleast I have had a taste of what "hell training" is like. I think by the time I'm 26 If I'm in good shape I will be alot more mentally prepared for something like that. That way I can get a hand on something besides the damned M16. Thanks for the replies so far and I respect you all who have served to protect my freedom. Hopefully one day I'll do the same. Thanks

Answer 1

I had to laugh when I read your "question." Being a good soldier isn't about what weapon you carry, it's about attitude to use what resources you have to the best of your advantage. If you couldn't be a good soldier with a damn M-16, you wouldn't be any good with any weapon.

I'm reminded of a poem about this very attitude.

OPPORTUNITY

by: Edward Rowland Sill (1841-1887)

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:--
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel--
That blue blade that the king's son bears, -- but this
Blunt thing--!" he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.



Would you throw away that blunt M-16 for want of a newer weapon?



g-day!

Answer 2

The First man is Wrong. The M16 Does Not Drop A Man Like The AK47 Because The Round Is Not Large Enough. It Would Wound A Terrorist And They Would Keep Shooting. So There Is A New "M16/M4" in Combat With Marines And Army. I looks Just like an m4 but the base of the barrel looks a VERY little different. It fires a larger round. The m16 also didn't shoot too far, so on this new rifle it shoots pretty far with a larger round. EVERYTHING else stayed the same... but this weapon doesn't over heat as much as the m16. You can take apart the gun right after firing and not burn your hands. Infact it is pretty cool when you take it all apart.

So yeah the m16 and m4 arent used too much anymore. Sorry i dont know the name of this weapon i watched it on the MILITARY CHANNEL.

Answer 3

You have been playing way too much Ghost Recon advanced war fighter man!.When you sign up it doesn't matter what they give you a gun is a gun a m16/m4 is most deafinatley better than nothing isn't it?.From what I have read an m16 with an acog attached when marines are using that thing it is so dead on for a while they were investigating to see if the terrorist were being shot execution style(which they werent).Thats just telling you how accurate and lethal an m4/m16 could be in the hands of someone trained.Plus why the hell would they wan't to change the service rifle when they haven't even changed the m9 yet? I have nothing against it but from what I hear the old school m1911 has more stopping power.But then again in a firefight it isn't about stopping power it's about hitting the other guy and lighting him up with rounds and not letting him get you.Ever heard if it aint broke don't fix it?.The m16 has been used from the jungles of vietnam,to the deserts of somalia,to the desert/urban areas of iraq,and the mountain/rugged landscape of afghanistan.Hell I'd use one.From the sounds of it though you don't really wan't to sign up you just want to get to play with all the cool kid toys from the video games.Me I don't care they give me what they give me I just wan't to get over there and help all the other soldiers and fight but due to my age it is not possible.(16 by the way).

Answer 4

The m-16 is a proven weapon for the common soldier.

The Special forces guys are the ones that get to play with the latest and greatest new toys. If you've got what it takes to be in one of them Uncle Sugar will open up his special toybox for you.

Obviously you have not been watching documentary's on the discovery channel. They have recently run through the series of latest and greates weapons and yes we've had heads up displays for a very long time and some other things I can't/won't tell you about now. Probably been watching the "really cool stuff" like Beavus and Butthead.

I was a Navy Recruiter for 42 months and that's the first time I have heard this as an excuse not to join.

Answer 5

Well, the FN SCAR program was designed for elite, usually special forces units.

The HK416 is obviously based on the same family as the M16, using a different gas system.

Why fix something that isn't broken? The M16 family has been constantly upgraded over the years and is a fine weapon. British and Australian special forces prefer it over the standard service rifle in their own armies. There are better weapons, just not good enough to justify the logistics and training nightmare that comes with completely replacing a standard service rifle.

Keep in mind that Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter is a purely speculative video game. It practically borders on science fiction - don't expect anything to that degree for decades at least. The technology isn't near perfection yet, especially in regards to a visor-mounted HUD. Something like that with current technology would just strain your eyes.

Answer 6

OK, lets see here...

"I dont know but for some reason when I join I want things to be different"
Not gonna happen, they don't change for you, you change to do what THEY tell you to.

And secondly, the M16 is still a very effective rifle, and it is only the basic rifle used. Stop toying with your little boy fantasies of "high tech" weapons and future soldiers. If you want to serve, then enlist take your M16 or M-4 and get in the fight like the rest of our boys. Kid, you probably never even fired an M-16, so how the hell can you say they are outdated. get off of here and go to bed if you are only going to continue asking stupid questions.

Answer 7

Trust me buddy, a lot has changed since your fathers time. I can honestly say as a soldier, for the most part we are supplied with the best weapons and equipment, with in reason that is.
I know, I've seen all that cool crap of the "future soldier" online too, and although it all looks sic as hell, most of it just isn't gonna happen in our time. Do you have any idea how much it would cost to supply and equip every soldier with a hud? Or even dragon skin for that matter, we just barely got the entire force the interceptor and still haven't gotten m4's for every unit. It would run in the billions, and our military doesn't nor will ever have that type of money to blow on novelty items. Not in my career anyway.

Answer 8

You are probably thinking of the Land Warrior system. Some of it already out in the field including the vehical (the stryker), the clothing (which is going to change in color I hear), the rifle (the M4) and the armor. The only two things not out is the camara scope and the eyepiece HUD. The HUD might never be out because it distracts the soldier and there is various other devices that replace the camera scope.

You can go to www.army-technology.com to read up on it.

Answer 9

You are wrong about the age limit. Do some research, because here in the army its 45 years old.

And if your considering joining, why wait?

You might be surprised at the advanced weapons we now use that you don't know about.

Then as your time in the military passes, you can enjoy watching the technology comes more into play.

Answer 10

If you want to join, and your heart is where it should be as well as your balls, by all means step up and quit yer whining.
I went in two weeks after graduating H.S. and it was the best thing I could have done. Sounds like the Marines would be your best bet, they'll get you squared up and put your balls where they belong. Let them know you're interested in Spec. Ops. and I'm sure they'll set you in the proper direction, that way I'm sure you may get your hands on some of the latest sugar they have on hand that the public doesn't know about.

With all the experience you claim to have, why go army? go with the best that kicks the most, I'm sure the Marines would love to have your qualifications. That's whats wrong with this generation...too many whining liberal wussies wanting to wait for everyone else to do it for them.