USMC M249 SAW question?

Question

in usmc, can people request to be a SAW gunner(if they are certified for it), or is it basicly selected at random

Answer 1

not to burst anyones bubble but we carry it in the army to....

Answer 2

Probably a bit of both. You can request it, but that doesn't mean you'll get it. Also, it will likely depend on your proficiency with the weapon.

Answer 3

you are selected at random by squad. one saw gunner for every squad, usually four marines.

every marine is qualified to fire a SAW, at least all infantrymen, and i believe everyone else as well.

the marine carrying the saw has to be fit to carry a heavier weapon, as well as run with it

i love the SAW

Answer 4

You will be on every weapon eventually. I started out as a rifleman, moved to the SAW, and now am a grenadier.

The SAW gunner is supposed to be the most experienced team member next to the team leader, and in the event that the team leader goes down, the SAW gunner takes his place. We usually don't do it this way.

Trust me when i say you don't want to be stuck on the SAW and the less time on it, the better. Reasons for this include the weapon is heavier, you carry much many rounds (210 for an M4 as opposed to over 500 for the SAW) which weigh a lot, and the way your body armor is rigged will be much different because all that weight will go directly on the front of your body armor.

Everyone will be trained on it and know how to take it apart and put it back together, functions check, shoot it at the range, everyone will know every detail about it, etc. ANYONE in an Infantry company can carry it and it isn't hard to carry and you don't have to be in "good" shape to carry it (like that of the M240B)... it just sucks more than a normal load.

Answer 5

Yeah lot of fire power, but sucks to run with. Nice to have to but i wouldnt carry it.  

Answer 6

They can request it...my husband was a SAWgunner when he first got to the fleet, but he was happy to change weapons :)

Answer 7

Yup u sure can