Bayonet training- still an integral part of modern military training?

Question

Hi. I know everyone should know how to use a bayonet as it's obviously a piece of standard kit. But how often are they used in combat given that most modern conflict takes place from great distances? Are they last resort weapons or are they sometimes chosen for specific tasks in real combat (not Hollywood).

Does your standard infantry soldier know how to use a bayonet or knife to any great extent, other than 'thrust and twist?'.

I ask because I am off to join the RAF Regiment soon and I have heard that the RAFR have a special bayonet training exercise- true?

Answer 1

Sometimes when you run out of ammo its cold steel that gets the job done, but one has to wonder about attaching a bayonet to a short weapon such as the SA80
We wondered the same thing about putting one on the Steyr AUG in the Irish Army.
If you run up against a bloke with a FN 7.62mm SLR he will outreach you!!!

Answer 2

I went thru Infantry Basic training at Fort Benning GA. USA in 1985. We all carried M-16A1 rifles and yes we did bayonet training.
Today, most modern service members carry much shorter weapons, M-4 carbines for US, L2A2 for UK, making a bayonet even less effective. We also have more gear on the rifles now, (Grenade launchers, flashlights, laser aiming devices, bipods, vertical handgrips)
However, bayonets still provide that extra intimidation factor, and in the urban conflict that many US soldiers are conducting in Iraq, a bayonet may keep some dirtbag from trying to grab for your weapon, or get your bayonet stolen! But seriously, I have a bayonet, but most of our operations in Iraq where in vehicles, and after you strap on 50 pounds (25 Kilos) of body armor, ammo and water, a bayonet is just a pain in the ****. (Sometimes, quite LITERALLY!)
Most of us carry a good, one-handed clip-knife or a multi-tool.
I carried a SOG EOD tool and a Benchmark Ken Onion folder, I have a Gerber Combat Folder too, but it lacks a clip and I did not carry it much. A Victorinox Swiss Army knife is a staple knife too, I had the "tinker model" with scissors and small pliers. Very handy.
Specific bayonet task? Well, we trained for them, but never used them. We had a two-man drill for quietly taking out sentries, one grapples him while one bayonets him. A bayonet gives you more leverage over just using a knife, so it inflicts damage faster. Combat engineers have non-metallic probes now, so we don't use bayonets to find mines.
The new US Marine bayonet is a great knife, but the scabbard is a bit intricate, not like the simple leather K-Bar scabbard.
All in all, bayonet training is more about motivation, warrior spirit, and just one more tool you can use. We even have some soldiers that carry modern tomahawks!

Answer 3

I agree that the military leaders usually make the right decision and know what type of training is best for the environment fought in. In Vietnam bayonets were used infrequently on the rifle for their intended purpose but they were put to good use as a knife. I killed a snake with mine when noise discipline was important. I was glad I had it, even though I never had to use it as intended. At that time the Marine issue K-bar was prized by Army troops in the field. Maybe the Army should take a lesson from the Marines and issue K-Bars to the troops.

Answer 4

I'm in the army, Military Police and we did receive the training in basic, but while we were deployed, or even when we weren't I never even saw a bayonet..that type of war is out. We do not fight our enemies face to face any more... it's more like they set a wire and detonate it from a distance and run

Answer 5

We do bayonet training here. it is part of basic training, infantry training then takes it into more detail, and we do a refresher on it 6-12 months. I have never used them or seen them used first hand in my service, but I hear of them being used now and then.

Answer 6

It is if you're in the infantry. The level of training varies from nation to nation, but it's still out there. It's your final fallback when you fun out of ammo or suffer a jammed weapon.

As to the 'special' training course...couldn't say; however, I strongly doubt that it's anything the Army or Royal Marines don't have experience with.

Good luck in your service.

Answer 7

yes..this is true..1 of my best friends is in iraq and he had to learn how to fight with a knife. thay dont spend to much time with it though