Do soldiers name their guns? by Ravenhair

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Do soldiers name their guns?

POSTED BY: RAVENHAIR
UPDATED: Thursday, March 16, 2006 18:18
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 4:39 PM

Watching the scene in Full Metal Jacket where the sargeant instructs the men to name their weapon and they say a prayer to their gun. I was wondering if soldiers generally give their guns names? Is this a Marine thing or is it done in the other branches as well?

I laughed b/c it immediately brought to mind Jayne and Vera and the way he delivers the line "It is my favorite gun."

Just wondering and would be interested in the answer.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 4:57 PM

DOJO

no, i dont know anyone that names his weapon. it's just a tool that you keep in the arms room most of the time and only draw out to go to the range, the field, or to clean it. depending on what they're carrying, guys might call their weapon "stupid heavy piece of sh@t" on long marches. that's their issue weapon though, no idea what goes on at home.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:49 PM

BROWNCOATSANDINISTA

Marines do have a Rifle Creed, which they are required to know. It's funny, because my Uncle, and ex-Marine, says it in his sleep sometimes. I also know that he named his weapon, Edsel, the M14.

If anyone gets nosy...Shoot em.
Shoot em sir?
Politely.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:53 PM

CHRISMOORHEAD

I went through a pretty intensive version of Infantry training for the US Army that lasted 17 weeks instead of the usual 13. We were issued our rifles the second week and carried them with us at all times until the final week. We were never told to name our rifles or memorize a creed to them.

Even though the training was specialized for those who met the requirements for the 18X enlistment option, I will probably be the only US Army Infantryman you'll ever hear admit that Marine Riflemen are trained to handle frontline combat much better than the Army Infantrymen, at least from what I've seen. It's a lot about the psychology during training, and Marines are just taught to be more agressive. In general, it translates to Marines attacking when they get cornered and Army guys trying to think their way out. These fundemental differences are a reason Marines are/were taught to "become one" with their rifles while Army Infantry just view it as a tool.

Obviously, this is also a "Warrior tradition" that goes way back. Immediately, I recall Sasaki Kojiro from Japan with his infamous "Drying Pole" and Arthur from England with "Excalibur". Depending on the fighting man's personal philosophy today, those who embrace the life are more inclinced to do things like name their weapons, while those who don't "like" the life but do it because it's a good job or because they want to defend their country are more inclined not to. In fact, the latter are often prone to thinking of the former as being immature, unrealistic, esoteric, and a number of other things. I just see different life philosophies, and I don't think it's educated to take either stance on it unless you've actually killed someone.

In my case, I've named my Zukuri Katana "Korou Aki", "Black Autumn" in a feeble attempt at being poetic. However, none of my firearms have names.

Have you ever:
Used your teeth as wire strippers?
Given yourself stitches?
Made improvised munitions with no base supplies?
Pissed in a canteen?
Gone a month without bathing?

If so, you MIGHT just be a !HOOAH MOTHERF*CKER!

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:57 PM

MATTCOZ

Quote:
Originally posted by Ravenhair:
Watching the scene in Full Metal Jacket where the sargeant instructs the men to name their weapon and they say a prayer to their gun. I was wondering if soldiers generally give their guns names? Is this a Marine thing or is it done in the other branches as well?

I laughed b/c it immediately brought to mind Jayne and Vera and the way he delivers the line "It is my favorite gun."

Just wondering and would be interested in the answer.

Funny you should associate that with Jayne, considering Adam is in that movie.

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 8:01 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

I was in the Rangers for a long time & I carried several weapons as over the years some were phased out or "improved" upon & I never named them. The only person I ever knew that did name their weapon was a 60 gunner. He called his M60 "Petunia".

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 10:19 AM

FACESTABBER

Meet "David" and "Goliath."

http://home.comcast.net/~timothymcmanus/357_and_500_Magnum.JPG

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 10:37 AM

FIRESTALKER

Quote:
Meet "David" and "Goliath."

http://home.comcast.net/~timothymcmanus/357_and_500_Magnum.JPG

~~~~~
This made me laugh.... Not sure why though.

-------------------------------------------------
"You know what the definition of a hero is? Someone that gets other people killed."

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:34 AM

RAVENHAIR

Quote:
Originally posted by mattcoz:
Quote:
Funny you should associate that with Jayne, considering Adam is in that movie.

Yeah, there's a scene where the camera is below looking up at Animal Mother, with grenades and a knife hanging off his chest, gun and rounds all over him...he's a young Jayne!

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 11:45 AM

STEGASAURUS

I am a Prior-Marine. Yes. All recruits are required to name their rifle. My M16-A2 service rifle was named Carol. She was a sweet little number. If I really remember hard enough, I bet I could recall her serial number. But I don't wanna, cuz my head may start to hurt and catch fire.

Anywho, some traditions may have changed over time. And recruits may not have to name their rifles anymore, but up until 1990, I know they still did. And yes, we slept with them too.

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Thursday, March 16, 2006 6:18 PM

THEPISTONENGINE

During "Plebe Summer" at the Naval Academy, we were required to name our m14's. It was sort of a joke, though, because they were rusted POS's that had the barrels plugged anyways. Alot of Marine traditions are poked fun at at the Academy.

The detailers also told us to sleep with our rifles if we dropped them. Not sure if anyone actually listened.

Anyways, I named mine Miss Piggy just to make my cadre laugh.

"Does Ms. Piggy motivate you, Mr. Hannah?"
"Ma'am, yes Ma'am."

_____________
Carry the Nuttin'

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