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Author Topic: Question about SAW gunners  (Read 1798 times)

Offline deathbydanish

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Question about SAW gunners
« on: July 01, 2006, 05:45:09 PM »
I was just talking some guys from the Hawaii National Guard and was wondering why there seems to be a tendency for SAW gunners to be short guys. Is it due to physical reasons, like would a guy 6'1 have more difficulty carrying a 100+lbs combat load over the long run compared to a guy who's 5'6?
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by deathbydanish »
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Offline Frogman4

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« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2006, 09:32:58 PM »
I don't think there are any connections like that although you could probably come up with some convincing conclusions.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Frogman4 »
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Offline Firehead

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« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2006, 01:06:07 AM »
Ya know, I'm not sure either. I talked to alot of guys that are SAW gunners/240 gunners, and they are all short guys.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Firehead »
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Offline Doc Hollywood

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« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2006, 10:03:25 AM »
in the 82nd it was always the cherry (new guy) that got the M249, big, skinny, short or otherwise.  We had M60's still back then (no 240B's yet) and those guys were all big ass dudes in weapons platoon who ran the 60 and the M2.  We never took a SAW on EDRE though .... just the 60.... cuz they never work.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Doc Hollywood »
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Offline deathbydanish

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« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2006, 12:09:55 PM »
Yeah its just general observations on my part, I never really did any in depth research, I just noticed that a lot of my shorter relatives in the National Guard always ended up with the SAW.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by deathbydanish »
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Offline Silverman

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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2006, 09:33:27 AM »
Hmm... SAW gunners are usually "short" guys... maybe they're just compensating?   :D

On the other hand, at least that way the machine gunners are smaller targets.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Silverman »
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Offline Cheeze_IZ_G00d

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« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2006, 06:16:07 PM »
My guess would be a lower center of gravity. If you are 6'6" carrying around 100lbs. of gear and were running along at full speed, I would imagine it could be kind of awkward, just think if you stepped in a hole, big boom.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Cheeze_IZ_G00d »
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Offline deathbydanish

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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2006, 08:16:27 PM »
Quote from: "Cheeze_IZ_G00d"
My guess would be a lower center of gravity. If you are 6'6" carrying around 100lbs. of gear and were running along at full speed, I would imagine it could be kind of awkward, just think if you stepped in a hole, big boom.


I was told they carry more than 100lbs+ ;)

Anyway that sounds like good reasoning.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by deathbydanish »
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Offline Static_Sky25

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« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2006, 02:26:21 PM »
got a buddy who is taller than me (I'm 6'1") and he's a 240G gunner in the Corps.... course a guy I went to school with is on the army side and he's only like 5'9" so I thinks it's just a crap shoot
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by Static_Sky25 »
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Offline delta_echo

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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2006, 11:28:19 AM »
In the AF, the SAW gunner's are usually the short guys as they ride up in the turret of the hummers. Not much space there, so I guess thats why they put the small guy up there. Of course, if the vehicle is evacuated, they're expected to grab the turret weapon (assuming its a 249 or 240) as they jump out the top and towards safety. Don't know why, but that's what I've been told and have seen.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by delta_echo »
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Offline KenCasper

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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2006, 04:45:42 PM »
Ya'll want the "Simple answer?"

Cause their Squad/Plt/ Company leaders are cruel sadistic SOB's and wanna see the lil guy have to hump the heavy stuff.  It's esp funny in Basic, or AIT and they give it to a lil 90lb female!

Honestly it is normally based on who is avail, and who has the mental and skill aptitude for use of the Crew served weapon, be it a M249, M240, M19, or M2.

But once in a while you do see the sadistic NCO issueing it out just to make someone sweat it out on a march.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 05:00:00 PM by KenCasper »
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