Marine Designated Marksman

A USMC Designated Marksman with Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) more formally United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered in 7.62 NATO. A modified and accurized version of the M14 rifle built for and used solely by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

The storyline says: "Marines Prevailed in a Day of Battle" and the full article can be found at: http://www.military.com/news/article/marines-prevailed-in-a-day-of-battle.html?ESRC=eb.nl

It started out just like any other Afghan patrol. Thirty or so combat experienced Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment pass through the village of Shewan, in Afghanistan's Farah province where they unknowingly ran into an ambush, insurgents team about 250, Marine team 30 or so.

The Marines leader said that he was prepared for contact but wasn't expecting any at that point. Eight hours after the ambush started it ended with 50 dead insurgents and one injured Marine.

Soap Box Ravings says it was the Marines training and team work applied aggressively to the enemy which saved the day. Initially the Marines concentrated on holding off the assault while they rescued one marine trapped in a vehicle. Then they pulled back, reorganized and aggressively took the fight to the enemy who were surprised the Marines returned to the fight.

Soap Box Ravings points out one major force multiplier for the Marines was their Designated Marksman who coolly shot insurgent after insurgent all while exposed to and under heavy enemy fire. This Designated Marksman killed 20 insurgents with 20 rounds.

Soap Box Ravings feels that the Marines developed the Designated Marksman because they understand help is minutes away and often times they can not afford to wait. As you think about this, remember the Marines have always maintained every Marine is a rifleman. However they also understand there are some Marines are better rifleman than others and to arm them with more accurate equipment is a good thing.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion, Army rifle training does not equal Marine rifle training. My son-in-law, a former Marine who is now an Army Apache pilot had a conversation on the Army rifle range regarding the M-16 rifle's ability to hit man-sized targets outside 300 yards. The Army rifle instructors were not trained to engage outside of 300 yards.

More News Regarding Oceania Nautica's Pirate Adventure

Oceania Nautica in Port Sultan Qaboos, Sultanate of Oman

Ship Passengers Recount Pirate Attack

The entire story is available at:
http://news.aol.com/article/ship-passengers-recount-pirate-attack/253628

Soap Box Ravings notes in this article passengers described hearing "the Pop! Pop! Pop! of the pirate's rifles firing at the ship." My experiences at sea and as a firearms instructor tell me the only way the passengers could have heard the rifles firing would be for them to be watching from the weather decks of the Nautica from the same side as the shooters.

If they were watching from the weather decks, the crew was not doing their job protecting the passengers. Since the pirates are known to have rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) as well as rifles, all unnecessary personnel including the crew should have been moved to the inside passageways. This would place cabins between the incoming rounds and those onboard the ship.

In Soap Box Ravings opinion the fun is over when the person next to you takes a round between the eyes.

Soap Box Ravings as has been said is a proponent of individual rights. But with those rights comes individual responsibility. The most important criteria of self protection is your ability to think and plan ahead. Wendy Armitage, Wellington, New Zealand said "We didn't think they would be cheeky enough to attack a cruise ship." And in Soap Box Ravings' opinion that was here first error in judgement. Let's ask the question, Sailing a ship full of "money" through an area of known pirate activity could cause what?"

Soap Box Ravings is sure that Oceania Cruises who operates the ship assured all of the passengers prior to leaving port. The cruise ships I have been on like to assign passengers to certain areas when the passengers are required to wait. However, most of these areas have large windows. Therefore the dining areas, bars, swimming deck and most other areas are not safe when receiving incoming fire.

Soap Box Ravings says the article points out International warships have created and patrol a security corridor through the area. As has been pointed out by myself and others regardless of where you are, "The police are only minutes away."

Let us remember that this ship has upward of 1000 people on board counting passengers and crew. It needs to be operated to make money but I question if it needs to be operated without the ability to protect itself in a known pirate operating area. This time it outrun the pirates but I have ridden many a ship with a main engine out of commission during transit. The loss of a main propulsion plant always reduces your speed.