As I was walking past a portion of the troop barracks area for new combat engineers in training here at Fort Leonard Wood today (Sunday), I saw a process underway that has been a time worn tradition in the U.S. Army—the day when assigned individual weapons are issued for the first time. Troops ran into the company supply room under the scrutiny of their Drill Sergeants, and then exited another door with their assigned and tagged rifle, to join others standing in formation. They will keep that weapon with them 24/7 while in training—giving them ample opportunity to develop confidence in carrying and securing their rifle all the time, just as they will have to do when deployed to combat.
