ARMORER’S
HANDBOOK
About the Author
The author of this publication is Charles F. Ruggiero Jr, a civilian employee of the Department of the Army. Chuck is employed by Headquarters, 10th Mountain Division (LI) & Fort Drum. He is assigned to the Directorate of Logistics, Maintenance Division, and serves as the Ordnance Equipment Specialist assigned to the Technical Services Branch of the Support Maintenance Activity. Chuck serves as the course manager and primary instructor for the 10th Mountain Division Unit Armorer Course. The UAC is an 80 hour formal course that encompasses all of the material presented in this publication, and which goes into much greater depth than this single reference volume can provide. In addition to his instructional duties at the UAC, Chuck also provides training at the unit level. Among the subjects he teaches are machinegun operating theory, small arms maintenance, MOS 45B upgrade training, and pre-marksmanship instruction. A qualified range instructor, he is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the USAF Combat Arms Instructor Academy.
His military experience includes active duty service with the US Army. A graduate of the US Army Infantry School, he served as an infantry soldier in Vietnam during the period July 1968 to July 1969. His US Army service includes duty with the Army National Guard in MOS 45B (Small Arms Repair), and with the US Army Reserve in MOS 12B3H (Combat Engineer Instructor).
Currently a member of the NY Air National Guard, he serves as an Air Force Security Police Officer, specializing in weapons instruction.
His experience includes virtually everything related to firearms. He is a qualified instructor with rifles, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, sub-machineguns, grenade launchers, machineguns, rocket launchers, flame weapons, mortars, demolitions and pyrotechnics. He has worked at the Organizational, Direct Support and General Support levels of maintenance as a weapons specialist. He also served more than eight years as the weapons quality assurance inspector at Fort Drum.
In addition to training thousands of students in his long career, and working on a myriad of different weapons and systems, he has used most of these types of weapons in combat situations.
Foreword
Congratulations! Whether you have been serving as a Unit Armorer, or have been recently appointed to such a position, you are a member of an important group of weapons specialists.
Throughout history, man has engaged in armed conflict. Over recent centuries, the advancement of technology has resulted in more lethal and sophisticated arms and ammunition. Today, these weapons are used by America’s military and law enforcement personnel to deter aggression and defend the public.
Armorers have always played a vital role in tactical operations. Whether building offensive weapons of war, designing and fitting body armor, or casting lead shot for muskets, their contribution to the outcome of battle is undeniable. As technology improved the implements of war, it was always necessary for the armorers to keep up with the changes in order to maximize these contributions. The requirement for trained and highly skilled armorers is as critical now, even with today’s modern weapons systems, as it ever was. The assumption that modern metallurgy and design technologies have lessened the need for small arms maintenance specialists is false. In fact, the opposite is true.
Today’s armorer has a serious responsibility, providing quality assurance through inspections and periodic preventive maintenance checks. A trained and experienced armorer can detect faults and make repairs, preventing failures of firearms in the field environment.
Military personnel and law enforcement officers have a tough, dangerous job. They need reliable weapons to protect lives, safeguard property, achieve the objectives of tactical operations, and defend themselves. The reliability of their weapons is the direct responsibility of the armorer.
In addition to performing firearms inspection and maintenance, armorers have many other duties. Included among these are administrative, logistics and training support functions. This publication, which provides guidance primarily to US Army armorers, details these other duties. Members of other military branches and police organizations may also find this publication useful.
No single publication could ever provide all the useful information relating to the maintenance of firearms. The subject-matter area is so expansive, that I could go into endless detail. Instead, I will attempt to present general principles and their application to a broad range of common military and law enforcement weapons.
In my many years of military and civil service, I often wondered why there was not a handbook like this one in circulation. Hopefully this publication will fill the need for a single-volume reference, providing answers to the most common questions encountered in the weapons maintenance field.
In addition to maintenance training, I also have extensive experience as a tactical instructor. This book is written from a different perspective than one usually finds in a maintenance document. It will combine the maintenance and tactical aspects of firearms, by explaining not only how weapons are repaired, but also how they are used. As a result, there will be extensive information on ballistics, ammunition, marksmanship and maintenance.
I have long been critical of single-issue training programs. Defense attorneys must study the entirety of statutory and case law before graduating from law school. Likewise, cardiologists must complete their general medical studies before they can become specialists. No one would ever consider consulting a lawyer or doctor who only had a partial education, for obvious reasons.
It is only logical that armorers should be well versed in all aspects of firearms theory and practice. Just as surely as no one would want to be operated on by a poorly trained doctor, no person who carries a duty firearm should ever have to rely on a weapon maintained by an armorer with inadequate training.
This book includes review exercises and a “final examination," much like any correspondence course. This process provides immediate feedback to the reader, validating the study process. I must caution the reader, however, that this handbook should not be used as a substitute for formal training! No one ever qualified for any career by reading a book or two. Formal, hands-on on study is essential to success.
This book will not re-invent the wheel. Much needed data can be found in technical manuals and other publications. I will simply provide a reference listing to achieve that study. This is only proper, since data in manuals changes frequently. If I were to reprint technical manual data here, this book would soon become obsolete.
No document like this could ever have been created without reference materials or the input from other knowledgeable persons. At the end of this book you will find a comprehensive listing of relevant publications, reference materials and recommended reading on the subject of firearms and armorers.
This is the third revision of this publication. The format is different from the two preceding volumes, which were basically “read-along” handbooks. Undoubtedly, this will be revised again. If you find a problem with this document or wish to make a change or inclusion, please contact me. Here are my address and phone numbers:
HQ, 10th Mountain Division (LI) & Fort Drum AFZS-DL-MT (ATTN: Mr. Ruggiero)
DOL Maintenance Division, Technical Services Branch T-790 Eighth Street West
Fort Drum, New York 13602
Telephone: Commercial - 315-772-9023 FAX: 315-772-0015 DSN: 341-9023 DSN FAX: 341-0015
Commercial FAX: 315-772-0015
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Throughout this publication you may encounter opinion-based statements that appear critical or negative about existing policies or programs. I’m truly sorry if these statements offend some bureaucrats, but I’m more concerned with what happens to the soldier on the battlefield or the police officer on the street. I have spent a good number of years engaged in my profession, and I consider my opinions to be valid and professional, not personal. If I appear critical about a program, it’s probably because that program needs to change! Please don’t think that my position is one of arrogance. Instead, it is that of a clear-thinking, analytical professional, who does not react emotionally to situations. As a result, I speak my mind without consideration of political correctness and bureaucratic attitudes. Sorry, but since the employment of firearms is always a life-or-death struggle for the combatants, I focus on reality...not politics! If this offends you, please don’t read this book!
Table of Contents:
1. About the Author 2. Foreword
5. Table of Contents
6. Chapter 1, Introduction to Arms Room Duty 8. Armorer Duties 12. Files Management 14. Publications Management 24. Supply Management 32. Maintenance Management 41. Physical Security
50. Range Operations Support
55. Tactical Training Operations Support 57. Combat Operations Support
63. Chapter 1 Examination
65. Chapter 2, Firearms Operating Characteristics 66. Cycle of Functions
72. Cooling
76. Operating System Design 80. Ammunition and Ballistics 82. Propellants and Projectiles 92. Cartridge Cases
95. Priming
97. Ballistic Terminology 103. Chapter 2 Examination
105. Chapter 3, Firearms Safety and Marksmanship 107. Safety Awareness Concept
110. Safety Rules 120. Marksmanship
121. Human Physiology and Anatomy 129. Ballistics Factors and Marksmanship 132. Chapter 3 Examination
134. Chapter 4, Armorer Tools and Maintenance Tips 136. Calipers
137. Hammers 138. Pliers 139. Wrenches 140. Files and Stones
142. Special Tools and Gages 148. Maintenance Tips
156. Chapter 4 Examination 159. Armorer’s Glossary
196. Unit Arms Room Operations Checklist 204. Arms Room Publication Reference 207. Recommended Reading List 209. Final Examination
Chapter 1, Introduction to Arms Room Duty
An arms room, or vault, is a fixed facility used primarily for the purpose of storing weapons and associated equipment. Arms rooms should meet certain general standards for physical security, storage capacity, operating ease and accessibility. Although the general specifications for military arms rooms are defined in manuals printed by the Department of Defense, those standards primarily address security, fire protection and construction techniques.
There are other considerations not addressed in those documents, the most important of which is ergonomics, the interface between man and technology. As an arms room inspector, I have been in hundreds of arms rooms on military bases and in police agencies throughout the country. I have seen well-designed rooms, and some which were totally impractical. However, all of them met the standards for security, fire protection and construction techniques.
The properly designed arms room will have:
- racks specifically designed to hold each type of weapon on hand - sufficient rack space for the total number of weapons on hand - administrative space for a desk, file cabinets, computer, etc.
- storage lockers for auxiliary equipment such as night vision devices - storage cabinets specially designed to hold ammunition
- minimum 60 square feet of maintenance area for repairs
- properly designed electrical service to accommodate power tools - lighting adequate for detailed inspection of metallic components - a dehumidifier capable of maintaining 30% to 45% humidity - a telephone and duress alarm system
- parts bins sufficient to contain all authorized repair parts - non-skid cushioned rubber floor mats in maintenance areas - an electric fan or other positive ventilation means
- an intercom to the front desk or orderly room - a minimum entrance width of 36 inches
- a “day door” or “issue door” which denies entry while issuing weapons - an agency-approved alarm system
- an emergency eyewash station
- an operating sink with cold and hot water supply
- a set of gunsmith tools and all special gages as required
- a large bench vise, bench grinder and rotary multi-tool (Dremel Tool) - illuminated magnifying lamp with six inch lens
- comfortable, cushioned desk chair - a clearing barrel or clearing container
The previous listing is not a “wish list”. It is what should be designed into each arms storage and issue facility nationwide. In addition to the stated requirements, the arms room should also have a lobby or waiting area. This should accommodate the number of personnel expected to stand at the door during issue or turn-in of weapons. If your soldiers or officers are standing in the rain, so are their weapons!
Some arms rooms also double as evidence rooms. This is not the best policy, since the evidence technician or evidence officer usually needs total control over the evidence area to protect the “chain of custody” for legal purposes. Limiting the number of persons with access to the evidence storage area is always the best policy. Keeping evidence in the arms room increases the number of persons in the evidence area, and should be avoided.
However, not every agency has the luxury of owning two secure, alarmed areas for separation of arms and evidence. If the co-location of both is necessary, make sure you have key and lock control programs that prevent the possibility of unauthorized persons gaining access to evidence. Likewise, found property and civilian privately owned weapons (POW’s) should be maintained separately from organizational weapons and property, for accountability purposes.
In addition to the standard alarm requirements for weapons storage areas, the interior entrances to arms rooms should be well illuminated and clearly visible. An entrance in a secluded, poorly lit part of the building is an invitation to a strong-arm theft. If possible or affordable, video surveillance should be provided, with a direct video feed to the agency’s alarm monitoring station or desk sergeant. If a direct video feed is impractical, a still-frame video recording system is strongly recommended. Video equipment should be positioned and installed so as to not be easily detected, accessed and disabled by potential thieves.
I have seen arms rooms with entrances that were located on the outside of buildings. This is never wise, but if you are stuck with such a facility, measures should be taken to protect your operation from public view. Hedges, bushes, fences or shrubbery should be placed to block direct viewing by the public in an unsecured area. Traffic control aids such as speed bumps should be placed to prevent rapid escape by vehicle.
Also, a critical failing of most arms room design is found in the day door or issue door. This typically is a half-door or “Dutch door” with a counter-top surface. It allows the arms room to be open for issue and turn-in, while keeping people outside. However, the typical lock inside the door is easily reached, and is a simple dead-bolt that turns without a key in the lock. Replace the lock with a
Armorer Duties: The duties of a typical military armorer fall into two major areas of activity: garrison duty and field duty. Although there are functions common to both types of duty, there are many differences. Take note that many of the concepts and operating principles apply to military and civilian agencies.
Garrison duty describes those activities of the armorer when the unit is not engaged in field or tactical operations. It is composed of the activities the armorer performs routinely. It also implies that the operation is conducted from an arms room. The arms room may or may not be equipped with an intrusion detection system. Some arms rooms require 24-hour surveillance by military or law enforcement personnel.
Garrison duty includes five separate and distinct functions: 1. Files Management
2. Publications Management 3. Supply Management 4. Maintenance Management 5. Physical Security
Additionally, the armorer usually serves as an in-house source of information and expertise in matters related to firearms training and maintenance. As such, the armorer frequently will be tasked to support classroom and range training sessions. Armorers usually also perform numerous other duties, and in the US Army force structure, there is no dedicated position for the unit armorer.
The lack of a dedicated full-time position for the armorer means that the quality of the work the armorer can perform is compromised to some degree. Consider the following factors:
- soldiers usually have physical training formations in the morning, and after PT are given time to eat, shower and change into their uniform. As a result, they may report for work in the duty section about 0900 hours or even as late as 0930 hours.
- soldiers may be given a 90 minute lunch break, from 1130 hours to 1300 hours. This accommodates soldiers who do not eat in the dining facility, and who must go home or to a restaurant.
- the soldier’s duty day typically ends at 1700 hours.
- during a 5 day workweek, the armorer is really only present in the arms room 32.5 hours, but only if he or she is there on a full-time basis
With an understanding of how few hours are actually spent in the performance of mission-specific tasks, now consider these factors:
- in a 13 week period, there are 422.5 work hours using the above stated method of determining available hours.
- the armorer is responsible for performing all the Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) on all the equipment in the arms room. These tasks must be completed once every 13 weeks ( a calendar quarter).
- in a typical military arms room, there will be approximately 120 rifles, 18 light machineguns, a half dozen pistols, 6 medium machineguns, 160 bayonets, and about 1000 rifle magazines, in addition to any other auxiliary equipment such as night vision devices, GPS gear, etc.
- each quarterly PMCS takes approximately one hour per weapon, if the armorer is to complete the tasks according to the technical manual. - just the inspection process (not including any repairs) will take over 200 work hours per calendar quarter.
- the 200 hours needed to conduct PMCS also does not include any of the time needed for supply management, files management, general housekeeping, publications management, issue and turn-in of weapons, or any other arms rooms duties.
It should be easy to understand why it is so difficult for armorers to keep up with the workload in the arms room. This should be a full-time position in the Army force structure, as in other branches of the armed forces. The Army assigns the job, typically, to a supply specialist. But for this soldier, it is still only a part of the duty day. The supply specialist has many other duties besides the arms room, and also can not afford all the hours needed to do the job well.
Compounding the problem is the fact that there is no training standard for unit armorers. Even worse, where there are at least armorer courses offered, there are no training or qualification standards for the instructors! I should know, as I perform this duty on nearly a full-time basis. The only attempt to provide training for armorers on an Army-wide basis is at the 92Y Supply Specialist course. This would be acceptable if every unit had a 92Y Supply Specialist, but that’s not the case, and 92Y training only teaches minimal skills.
Also, the commander has the latitude to appoint whomever he or she considers fit for the position. A unit armorer can be any soldier from any occupational specialty; i.e., infantry, signal, artillery, maintenance or food service.
Garrison Commanders, Division Commanders and MACOM Commanders may appoint an individual to teach an armorer’s course, and fund that effort locally. There is, however, no qualification standard for such a position. An armorer instructor must be well versed in all areas concerning weapons maintenance and training. Among the subjects that this person must master, are the following:
- The Army Maintenance Management System (TAMMS) - The Modern Army Recordkeeping System (MARKS) - Operations Security (OPSEC)
- Physical Security
- Firearms Design and Operating Theory - Publications Management
- Army Supply Procedures - Shop Safety
- Use and Care of Hand Tools
- Basic and Advanced Marksmanship Principles - Ammunition and Ballistics
- Firearms Maintenance Techniques - Firearms Safety
- Tactical Employment of Firearms - Inspection Techniques
- Principles and Techniques of Instruction - Small Arms Pre-embarkation Standards
- Destruction of Small Arms to Prevent Enemy Use - Transportation, Storage and Handling of Ammunition
This list is far from inclusive. The armorer instructor must not only be familiar with the subjects presented, but experienced as well. He or she should have served in a combat arms MOS as an actual user of the equipment, to understand the use of the equipment. A background in maintenance and inspection at the direct support or higher level of maintenance should be mandatory. Formal training in the presentation of instructional materials should likewise be mandatory.
Unfortunately, there are no duty positions in the Army, which prepare an individual for this mission. A good infantry NCO does not necessarily make a good maintenance instructor. The maintenance NCO might not know a thing about OPSEC, Physical Security or marksmanship training.
The search for a good candidate to teach armorer’s courses can be exhaustive and fruitless. Again, this is because like the armorer position, the job does not actually exist, so there are no job standards. When a suitable candidate is found, there is no school that prepares the candidate to teach armorers.
I am presenting this information for the purpose of enlightenment, not criticism. I prefer, since you ostensibly are about to enter the world of armorer duty, that you be given the facts. The fact is, in the Army there is no such position as Unit Armorer. It is an additional assigned duty. There is no such position as Armorer Instructor. It also is an additional assigned duty.
What this means in reality is that you, the armorer, will be evaluated on the basis of your performance within your MOS. You must perform all the duties previously mentioned and still perform your MOS duties. The sad news is, you will inherit two time jobs, because one is not properly recognized for the full-time work it requires.
I also urge you to understand that I am not being critical of armorer instructors at other installations. If these people were not good at what they do, their respective commanders or supervisors would fire them. I am sure they are the best persons locally available for the job. What I am openly critical of, is the fact that I have no knowledge of who these people are and what qualifications they have, even though I’m one of them...and neither does the Army!
The bottom line is: there is no support structure for this duty like there is for any MOS. There is no standardized training, no advanced training, no central system for the identification of school-trained armorers, no special skills identifier, no kind of recognition system, no patch, no badge, no medal...nothing except hard work, above and beyond that expected of your peers.
If you can feel comfortable with all that, then let me personally welcome you to the greatest challenge in the US Army, the unit arms room.
The armorer’s job is dynamic, difficult, and one of the most important areas of responsibility in the military. The use of military force to settle international disputes is always filled with danger. The nature of battle is such that if one side wins, the other must surely lose.
Any soldier who faces an enemy on a battlefield must have reliable equipment and good training. If we do everything else correctly; if we train, feed, house, care for and support the soldier in everything he or she does, but we fail to maintain that soldier’s weapon to the highest standard, we have compromised the military mission.
When the soldier meets that enemy, the cost of failure can be death. Preventing the failure of weapons on the battlefield is the direct responsibility of the armorer. Since the essence of battle melds into that one moment in time, when foe meets foe, there is no greater responsibility.
Okay, now that we understand how tough the armorer’s job can be, let’s discuss what you need to know to succeed. We’ll begin by examining those five areas of responsibility previously mentioned in the definition of garrison duty. Files Management
The need for a standardized filing system should be readily apparent. Such a system would enable a soldier working in one office to move to a new office and find all needed documentation in the same familiar folders. This not just a matter of convenience, but of military necessity.
No one likes to think of himself or herself as being expendable. The Army does not like to think of you that way, either. But let’s be honest, we have to expect casualties. That’s the nature of battle. If a soldier is lost as a result of an enemy action, that soldier must be replaced. The new soldier needs to become familiar with the work in progress as soon as possible. A standardized file system makes the transition quick and efficient.
Even if we are not contending with a combat environment, we still always lose soldiers due to permanent change of station (PCS), end term of service (ETS), promotional reassignment, etc. A good file system allows us to deal with the change while keeping disruption to a minimum.
In the arms room, the filing system is a vital part of the management process. The armorer has to handle a large volume of documentation. This material not only provides an historic reference of what you have accomplished, but also provides information to others on current operations and planned maintenance actions.
There is a large quantity of technical data associated with weapons. This data can be found in technical manuals, maintenance advisory letters, lubrication orders, safety of use messages, modification work orders, maintenance directives, technical bulletins, and general correspondence.
How these documents are maintained is important. They define the essence of the arms room operation. They include policy directives, regulations, and other sources of critical information. These documents have an impact on all levels of activity within an arms room. This is true whether you are a military armorer or a member of a civilian law enforcement agency. The same principles apply, because proper administrative management of the arms room is essential to success.
The method of using and maintaining files is found in Army Regulation 25-400-2, the Modern Army Recordkeeping System, or MARKS. This program is easy to understand and use, applies to all files of every type at any location, and is based upon the numbering system used for Army Regulations and other publications.
The following information will help to explain the purpose of MARKS: - Provides instructions for the systematic identification, maintenance, storage, retirement and destruction of Army information recorded on any medium (paper, microform, electronic, or any other).
- Ensures the Army has the information needed to complete the mission. - Preserves records needed to protect the rights and interests of the Army, its members, and former members.
- Provides for the removal of less active records from office space to low-cost storage areas.
- Furnishes the only legal authority for destroying Army information.
MARKS applies to all unclassified records, including those identified as For Official Use Only (FOUO). It also applies to classified materials identified as CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET. Records that are identified as TOP SECRET may be set up under MARKS, or in any other manner that will make accountability or control easier. Whatever method is used, the disposition instructions found in Army Regulation 25-400-2 will be applied for TOP SECRET records.
Most US Army installations have a Directorate of Information Management, or DOIM. This agency is responsible for administering the files policies at the local level. Even if the installation or base you are assigned to is too small to have a functioning DOIM, there is still an office responsible for files oversight.
Detailed information on MARKS can be obtained by reading the applicable DA publications, or in many cases by contacting your DOIM or servicing agency with files inspection authority.
At Fort Drum we are fortunate enough to have a files management specialist who provides classroom instruction on MARKS. This individual, Mr. Doug Thomas, can be reached at 315-772-6647, or DSN 341-6647. Mr. Thomas is an associate instructor at the Fort Drum Armorer Course, and an invaluable asset to the Fort Drum community. Check with your local DOIM to determine if classes
Publications Management
MARKS prescribes the method for filing, controlling and disposing of information. As such, it also determines the manner in which you will maintain publications in your arms rooms. Reference publications must be properly identified as defined by MARKS, and labeled accordingly.
However, merely having the publications on hand, and in the correct binders, is only part of your responsibility. Publications have to be inventoried periodically, and the content changes must be posted as needed, to ensure your publications are current and complete.
A separate publication, DA Pamphlet 310-13, prescribes the manner for posting content changes. The armorer is required to have technical publications on hand, as they are the source of authority for the application of maintenance procedures. Army Regulation 750-1, titled “Army Material Maintenance Policy and Retail Maintenance Operations”, establishes the need for the use of technical manuals at the unit level.
Before we can understand how this need is established, we need to look at Army maintenance policy in general. AR 750-1, paragraph 3-8a, states that the Army has four basic levels of maintenance. They are the Unit, Direct Support, General Support, and Depot levels of maintenance. Actually, unit maintenance is broken down further into two categories; operator and organizational maintenance. So, in reality, we have five maintenance levels to contend with. The levels of maintenance are also known as echelons. A number and code letter identifies each echelon as follows:
1- Operator/Crew Maintenance Code C Crew Maint. 2- Organizational Maintenance Code O Organizational 3- Direct Support Maintenance Code F Field Maint. 4- General Support Maintenance Code H Heavy Maint. 5- Depot Maintenance Code D Depot Maint.
The code letters are used in technical manuals to identify specific maintenance procedures, and parts to be replaced, at each individual level or echelon. The echelon numbers, 1 through 5, are used to identify series of publications. The publications address policies and procedures for the particular level of maintenance identified by the series number of the document. The following explanation of the publication numbering system will help you understand the relevance of this information
Let’s take technical manuals as an example, because all weapons have technical manuals, and you will deal with them on a daily basis. We’ll use as an example, the technical manuals for the Browning .50 caliber M2 machinegun:
TM9-1005-213-10 TM9-1005-213-23 TM9-1005-213-23P
Are the numbers confusing? They are for most people, because almost no one is trained to understand the TM numbering system. Here’s what the above numbers mean:
The designation TM means that the publication is a technical manual. All publications have a designator, which tells us what type of document we are dealing with. The following are some of the more commonly encountered designators: TM Technical Manual TB Technical Bulletin LO Lubrication Order SC Supply Catalog AR Army Regulation
DA PAM Department of the Army Pamphlet GTA Graphic Training Aid
CTA Common Table of Allowances
TDA Tables of Distribution and Allowances TOE Table of Organization and Equipment
MTOE Modification Table of Organization and Equipment
So, since our reference publication is a technical manual, it begins with the designator TM. The number 9 refers to the proponent agency, the organization responsible for the development of the included policies or doctrine. In the case of the .50 caliber machinegun, the designator TM9 means that the proponent agency for this machinegun is:
The US Army Tank-Automotive/Armament Command, Armament and Chemical Acquisition and Logistics Activity, Rock Island Arsenal, IL. You can see it is much easier to use TM9 as the designator, rather than having to print the full name of that agency every time a reference to it is made. There are different designators for different proponent agencies, such as “1” for Aviation, “3” for Chemical, “5” for Engineer, “7” for Infantry, “9” for Ordnance, and so on.
Okay, so far...so good. We understand TM9. The next item in our example of the .50 caliber machinegun is the number 1005. This second element is known as the Federal Supply Class. Every item of type-classified and standardized materiel in the US Federal Supply System falls into an FSC category. Some examples would be:
FSC 1000: Small Arms (general classification) FSC 1005: Small Arms to 30mm (specific items)
FSC 1010: Small Arms above 30mm (again, specific items) FSC 1340: Anti-Tank Weapons
FSC 1370: Pryotechnics
FSC 4240: Chemical-Biological masks and equipment FSC 6920: Training Aids and Devices
There are literally thousands of FSC’s, covering many types of equipment. There are some in the 1000-series (1000 to 1099) for mortars, howitzers, self-propelled howitzers and so on. Let’s catch up to our .50 caliber machinegun example so far:
TM9-1005 (it’s an Ordnance TM, for small arms up to 30mm)
The next element is the item identifier, which allows us to single out an individual piece of equipment within the same FSC as another item. For instance, FSC 1005 includes all rifles, machineguns, shotguns, pistols, revolvers; in fact, any firearm less than 30mm in terms of bore diameter.
The item identifier is usually a 3-digit number, and in the case of the .50 caliber machinegun, the number is 213. This identifies it among other .50 caliber machineguns as the Browning .50 caliber M2 machinegun. This number is sequential in nature. It means that of all the items in this FSC, the Browning M2 is the 213th item in the FSC requiring a technical manual.
If we were to have 500 items in an FSC that required a TM, the last TM would be number 500. If we added another, and it required a TM, it would be number 501, etc. Not every item in an FSC requires a TM. For instance, there is a stock number for a paper clip, but no technical manual for it. So the item identifier is merely an indicator of what items in an FSC require a TM, and what particular item it happens to be. Our example so far tells us:
TM9-1005-213 (Ordnance TM, small arms to 30mm, 213th item)
Of course, the 213th item happens to be the Browning M2 machinegun. All of the TM’s relating to the Browning M2 machinegun will therefore begin with TM9-1005-213, regardless of what level of maintenance they cover.
Next we come to the maintenance level indicator, which tells us several things. First, it describes which level(s) of maintenance the manual is written for. Do you recall the levels of maintenance described earlier? Ignoring the codes for a moment, let’s identify each level of maintenance by its respective number, 1 through 5:
1- Operator/Crew Maintenance 2- Organizational Maintenance 3- Direct Support Maintenance 4- General Support Maintenance 5- Depot Maintenance
The maintenance level indicator tells us which levels of maintenance activity the manual addresses. It is a two-digit number. The first digit tells us the lowest maintenance level included in the publication. The second number tells us the highest maintenance level included. If the second number is a zero (“0”), this means that the publication is written for the level indicated by the first digit only.
10- Operator manual only 20- Organizational manual only 30- Direct Support manual only 40- General Support manual only 50- Depot manual only
12- Operator and Organizational manual
13- Operator, Organizational and Direct Support manual
14- Operator, Organizational, Direct Support and General Support manual
15- Operator, Organizational, Direct Support, General Support and Depot manual
23- Organizational and Direct Support manual
24- Organizational, Direct Support, and General Support manual 25- Organizational, Direct Support, General Support and Depot
manual
34- Direct Support and General Support manual
35- Direct Support, General Support and Depot Manual 45- General Support and Depot Manual
So the Browning .50 caliber M2 machinegun technical manual for the Organizational and Direct support levels of maintenance would bring us to:
TM9-1005-213-23 (Ordnance TM, small arms to 30mm, 213th item (the Browning .50 caliber M2 machinegun), Organizational and Direct Support Maintenance Procedures)
Now there are several items left to discuss. The first one is whether or not the letter “P”, for “parts” is included. If, at the end of the maintenance level indicator, we see the letter “P”, this indicates that parts diagrams and listings are included. If the letter “P” immediately follows the second digit, as in “23P”, it indicates that the manual contains only parts diagrams and listings.
Manuals that contain both maintenance instructions and parts data are indicated by the placement of an ampersand (&) between the second digit and the letter “P”, as in “23&P”. Examples would be:
TM9-1005-213-23P Organizational and Direct Support Repair Parts
and Special Tools Listing for the Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machinegun
TM9-1005-213-23 Organizational and DS Maintenance Manual for the Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machinegun
TM9-1005-317-23&P Organizational and DS Maintenance
Manual, Including Repair Parts and Special Tools Listing, for the Pistol, 9mm, M9
Remember that if the letter “P” is absent, there is no parts listing. Just the letter “P” means that there is only a parts listing, and no maintenance instructions. Also, the inclusion of the ampersand (&) and the letter “P” means both maintenance instructions and parts listings are included.
There are some pieces of equipment so complex that multiple TM’s are needed. This should be obvious from observing that some weapons have a TM dedicated to maintenance instructions and another to parts listings. However, there are TM’s with such large amounts of maintenance instructions that they need to be broken down into different volumes.
When this is necessary, the volume numbers are shown at the end of the designator, separated by a virgule. What’s a virgule? You probably know it by the common slang term: slash. It looks like this - “/”. So a TM broken into three volumes would have the symbols /1, /2, and /3 at the end of the TM designator. You will become more familiar with the numbering system as you work with it. After a while, the numbers will seem less important. What is important is making sure you have the current technical data on hand.
At the time of this writing, the DOD is making the transition to Electronic Manuals. It’s about time! Private industry made the change many years ago, and the savings this system affords should be obvious. On the surface, it appears as though they save a lot of printing and distribution costs.
My experience with the current EM’s is that they are not efficient enough in terms of printing out the documentation when it’s needed in the hands of a soldier. For instance, they print out blank pages, wasting paper. Operator manuals, which are usually small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, are now 8.5 by 11 inches in size. Also, the programs that manage the EM’s only permit printing on one side of the page, since computer printers don’t print to both sides of a page.
The end result is that an operator manual, any operator manual, uses 8 times as much paper, since each page is four times the normal size, and only prints to one side. Is that efficient? Not by my estimation, but who am I to judge? After all, the distribution costs alone probably justify the use of the electronic medium. If you are on-line, you can even download the TM’s. This eliminates the need for a distribution system totally.
The big benefit to electronic manuals is that the need for conducting traditional, time-consuming inventories will be reduced. Each CD-ROM will have the most current data. All you need to do is make sure you have the most current disc. In addition to the current publications and all applicable changes, you must also subscribe to the TB43-0001-62-series, the TACOM Equipment Improvement Report Digest. This publication includes late-breaking technical information and changes resulting from product improvements.
Within the EIR Digest will be information on the current recommendations to improve equipment such as your unit weapons. The suggestions are printed along with investigation results, engineering reports, and actual changes to TM technical data. These changes might not appear in an actual change to a TM for a long time, so you need the EIR Digest to be absolutely current on the Army’s maintenance standards for your weapons and combat equipment.
Now that you know how to decode TM designators, the question arises; “What must I have on hand in my arms room library?”
The following four pages will sum up all of the preceding information on the publications needed in the arms room.
Earlier in this section I stated that AR 750-1 required the use of technical manuals by unit personnel. In my classes, and in the course of my routine duties, Persons who want to know why they need so many TM’s on hand frequently challenge me. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Paragraph 2-28 of AR 750-1 (1 August 1994) provides the following mandates, excerpted and given verbatim as appears here:
228. Commanders at all levels will
-a. Emphasize the importance of maintenance and ensure that
subordinates are held accountable for the conduct of maintenance operations. Maintenance is a command responsibility.
c. Emphasize the conduct and supervision of PMCS performed at the unit level. Material will be maintained at the maintenance standard specified in paragraph 3-1a.
(Author’s note: for reference and clarity, the first two sentences of para-graph 3-1a state: “The Army has one maintenance standard. The main-tenance standard is based on TM 10 and 20-series, PMCS”. PMCS, of course, refers to Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services, which are conducted by unit-level personnel.)
e. Establish, maintain and conduct training of operators and crews to properly use and maintain equipment.
o. Ensure that all unit level PMCS as required by the -20 level TM’s to include all DS level services are scheduled and performed.
AR 750-1 makes it clear that all unit level PMCS will be conducted to one standard: the one found in the equipment TM. This includes operator and organizational level maintenance tasks.
Literal requirements for the use of the TM by the armorer are found in paragraph 3-9c, which states:
c. Unit mechanics will use the TM 10- and 20- series to identify and repair faults. The TM 20-series PMCS tables are used to perform scheduled PMCS services that sustain and extend the combat capable time of the equipment.
Where does one find the requirement for a TM for each operator or item of equipment?
The need for operators using the TM 10-series is also found in AR 750-1, paragraphs 3-9a and 3-9b as shown here:
a. Unit maintenance is the first and most critical level of the Army
maintenance system. It is the foundation of the maintenance system and requires continuous emphasis by all commanders. Commanders must establish a command climate that ensures that assigned equipment is maintained to the maintenance standard defined in paragraph 3-1a above. Commanders are responsible for providing resources, assigning responsibility, and training their soldiers to achieve this standard.
b. The cornerstone of unit maintenance is the operator/crew performing PMCS from the applicable TM 10-series. The before and during PMCS checks concentrate on ensuring equipment is fully mission capable (FMC). Faults detected during before operations checks that make the equipment not FMC or violate a safety directive must be corrected before the mission. Faults detected during the mission affecting FMC must be corrected during the mission. Faults detected before or during the mission not affecting FMC may be corrected, if time permits, or recorded/reported for correction after the mission. After operations checks detect faults resulting from the mission and ensure the identification and correction of faults to maintain the equipment to the maintenance standard.
So, a literal reading of these paragraphs tells us that the commander must create a climate in which maintenance is performed to the PMCS standard. The operator must perform maintenance checks according to the TM 10-series PMCS tables. And, the checks are a continual process. The operator must continue to make checks before, during and after the use of the equipment, and using the operator level TM. In order to meet this requirement, the operator must have the TM is his or her possession, because it must be used to conduct PMCS while the equipment is being operated!
Translation: you need one operator TM for each operator, because in the field environment (where the weapon is actually used), the operator needs to perform the during operation checks. So, if your arms room has 160 M16A2 rifles, you need 160 M16A2 operator manuals, one per operator/rifle combination.
As for the TM 20-series manuals, you should only keep one on hand. The manual is to be used only by the armorer, and should never be given to the operators. Organizational maintenance can only be performed at the 2nd echelon level by trained, qualified and appointed personnel. This excludes the operators from performing organizational PMCS. As a result, only one organizational manual is really needed.
The exception to this would be in a unit where there is an assistant armorer who desires his or her own copies of the TM’s, or in a consolidated arms room where each armorer from each unit must have his or her own publications. This is because the units sharing an arms room in garrison will probably deploy to different locations, and each unit will need its own manuals.
Okay, you know how to decode TM designators, how to conduct inventories, how many copies you need on hand, and why you need the EIR digest in the arms room. Now we’ll cover the last, and most important items concerning publications; how to keep them current. This applies to printed manuals only. Several pages earlier, I mentioned DA Pamphlet 310-13. The title of this manual is “Army Publications, Posting and Filing of Publications.“ This manual prescribes the manner in which changes to publications are posted. Posting a change means to actually go to the basic publication, and cross out, remove, and/or replace information on the pages therein.
There are two primary means of making changes to publications; they are called pen-and-ink changes, and page changes. Pen-and-ink changes involve the looking up of the old information, crossing it out, and then writing in the new information. Obviously this is useful only where there are minor changes to be made. Otherwise, the pages would be cluttered with scribble and become illegible after a while.
Page changes usually arrive in the form of a small booklet made of individual pages stapled together. The first pages will be instruction pages that tell you how to post the changed information. They will typically tell you to remove page X and replace it with page Z, and so on. All you need do is remove the staples from the manual, remove the old pages, and put in the new ones.
Unfortunately, in my many years of inspection experience, the overwhelming majority of unit armorers do a dismal job of maintaining current manuals. They usually receive the changes and just put them in the binder, in front of the basic publication, without posting the changes. Sorry, but if I inspect your arms room and find the changes not properly posted, you get no credit for having them at all.
Reading the instructions on the first pages, as well as those in DA Pamphlet 310-13, makes doing the job easy. It only takes a few minutes. After you change the pages, put the word “posted”, the date you accomplished the change, and your initials on the page change cover sheet. Then post that sheet in front of the manual to prove that the information has been placed within the TM. That’s all there is to it.
Also, you must use the manual when performing PMCS. Why? Just because the technical data may have changed since you last read the book. The armorer who attempts to memorize the PMCS tables will be doomed, because the data in the tables is subject to change so often.
In addition to the equipment TM, and all the changes thereto, and the EIR Digest, there is another significant source of relevant maintenance information. This is the PS Magazine, which is actually a Technical Bulletin, in the TB 43-PS series.
Are you familiar with PS Magazine? It is a small, hip-pocket sized publication which is in a sort of “cartoon” format. It stars MSG Half-Mast and a cast of other familiar cartoon characters. Many soldiers don’t really take this publication seriously, because of its design and image. The information contained within, however, is certainly valid form a technical point of view.
Since it is printed monthly, there is usually updated information in the section on small arms. On the top of page one is a disclaimer which states that the use of the information contained within an issue is optional with the user. Honestly, I can not understand the disclaimer, since the content is approved by the relative proponent agencies. Since it is an official publication, and the content is approved by the appropriate agencies, it seems that this would therefore be a source of official data for the user community.
I am frequently challenged by persons who state, rightly so, that the use of the information appearing in this technical bulletin is optional. This results in my having to go to reference publications to find the actual source of authority for a maintenance procedure. Since I have had to do this “reverse referencing” many dozens of times, I can state with certainty that anything appearing in PS Magazine is definitely printed in the appropriate source documents.
Therefore, read the PS Magazine and apply the information it contains. Also be aware that each year they print a summary of all the articles appearing in that year’s issues. Make sure you keep copies of the annual article summary. It can make finding information a lot easier when you need to research a particular piece of information.
Finally, make sure your publications are maintained in sturdy, waterproof binders. The reason for this is simple. When the unit goes to the field, so do the manuals. Publications that are torn, weathered, page-worn, or which have missing pages should be replaced. Information in all your publications needs to be legible and complete, in order to be useful.
Supply Management
In many arms room inspections, I have found most areas to be in full compliance with the intent and letter of the applicable regulations, yet I still find problems with the management of the arms room. One of the most glaring deficiencies is in the area of supply management.
The Army supply system is not difficult to understand. It is a demand-supported system, meaning that you only get what you ask for. The stocking of parts, tools, lubricants, cleaning materials and other needed items is based upon customer demand. If the system has no requirement for a green widget, there will be no green widgets in stock. Order several hundred green widgets every month, and you’ll find the warehouse overflowing with green widgets in the very near future.
This is the same method by which commercial retailers operate their businesses. If the customer stops purchasing a certain item, the retailer drops it from the inventory, because no one wants it. Think about it: how many hula-hoop repair kits have you seen on store shelves recently?
I have to admit that some armorers constantly amaze me when it comes to the area of supply management. I do not know how someone can take something so simple, and make it so complicated! Usually, I find many arms rooms lacking in the basic supplies they need to sustain training and contingency operations. I hear these excuses all the time:
“The unit is out of funds....”
“The Self-Service Supply Center was out of stock....” “I didn’t have time to re-order it....”
“We’re not authorized to have that stuff on hand....”
All of the foregoing excuses are without merit. Monetary appropriations are based on unit size, mission, mobilization requirements, type of equipment used, number of vehicles operated, and other common factors. If you find that there is never enough money to support the arms room operation, something else is wrong.
It is probable that not enough emphasis is being placed on arms room needs when the unit budget is looked at. You can help to cure that problem by being a vocal advocate, using the wisdom of the old adage, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
The meaning of this is simple; you will not get something unless someone knows you need it. Most times, I find the armorer has taken no steps to inform management of his or her needs. The end result is the excuse that the unit can not afford it.
I honestly believe that you will not find a single Unit Commander, First Sergeant or Supply Sergeant who thinks the arms room is unimportant. These personnel hold their positions because of their training, experience, proven abilities and personal commitment to excellence. None of them considers the weapons in your arms room unimportant. Each one of them knows that those weapons are the reason we have an Army in the first place.
If you find you are usually waiting at the end of the line for supplies or equipment, you need to communicate your problem up through your chain of command. Often I see unit armorers complain about the lack of funds, when every other aspect of the unit supply operation seems to be well organized, efficient, and well funded. This tells me that the problem is not the supply system or financial resources. More than likely, it’s the armorer’s fault.
Self-Service Supply Centers (SSSC’s) stock common tools, equipment and cleaning materials. The unit, using unit funds purchases these items. It is true that you sometimes go to the SSSC site, and find that they are out of a particular item you need. This does not mean that the item is unavailable. It means that you have to go back after a week or so has elapsed, to see if a shipment has arrived. Also, talk to your SSSC manager about availability of an item you need. Again, you must let people know what you need if you expect to get it.
There is always time to procure what you need, if you anticipate your operational requirements. Prior planning is essential to all successful military operations, and that includes supply management as well. You should always maintain on hand the amount of supplies and equipment needed to sustain 30 days’ operation under field conditions. Therefore, there should never be an excuse for running out of something, as long as you anticipate your needs. And, what about the excuse that you are not authorized to have something on hand? Well, this is an easy one to answer. The back of each technical manual has a listing of materials and supplies authorized for the maintenance of the equipment covered by the TM. It is usually found in Appendix D, depending on the format of the manual. If it appears in the manual, and is indicated for your level of maintenance, you are authorized to have it on hand in the arms room. With the current downsizing (at the time of this writing) taking place within the Department of Defense, things are changing. How the supply system will evolve
Downsizing is a reality. The re-defining of global threats in the post-Soviet era is driving it. Changes will take place and the system as we know it now might be radically different in a few years. Currently, supply operations information is codified within the 710-series of Army publications. The entire system is being evaluated for change, so keep abreast of things, and always refer to the current doctrine to make sure you follow proper acquisition procedures.
Here at Fort Drum, we went through a re-organization of our local SSSC, and they eventually re-established the system similar to the way it was set up originally. The “re-engineering” seemed to not be as effective as the proponents of change stated it would be. Change for the sake of change is not always beneficial.
At the present time, many installations are under what is known as a “commercial activities study”, or CA study. This is a study the DOD conducts to determine if it is least expensive to contract out a function, or keep it in-house. DOD leadership is currently calling for the elimination of tens of thousands of DOD civilian jobs, and additional rounds of base closures in the years 2001 and 2005.
All of this will have an impact on you, the military armorer. By necessity, the DOD needs to become more efficient, since the cost of military operations continues to climb. However this efficiency is attained, the system will have to change to accommodate it.
The end result, which will be noticed at the user level (that’s you!), will probably be in the support structures involved in the general logistics field. Logistics deals with three specific areas of activity; supply, transportation and maintenance. You might obtain everything you need from a local contract vendor, such as Sears or J.C. Penney. The move to the use of the IMPAC credit card for unit local purchases is an example of this trend.
It is also possible that contractors will establish their own warehousing and supply operations right on military installations. If the operations are kept in-house, meaning DOD civilian employees will continue in their present status, you should expect more streamlined business methods to be employed. DOD agencies will have to cut back the number of employees, and may employ only temporary, seasonal, on-call, or contingency-justified personnel. Hours of operation may be fewer, and support services may be less than what you are used to.
I wish I could provide more guidance than this, but I have no extra-sensory powers, and have no more ability to read the future than you do. Keep up with the changes in policies and implementing regulations. One thing is certain: the changes will alter the way you handle supply issues right now
As far as current Unit Supply Procedures are concerned, there exists excellent guidance on the subject. It appears in DA Pamphlet 710-2-1, the title of which is “Using Unit Supply System Manual Procedures.” This publication covers how to request and receive supplies, how to account for items, repair parts procedures, inspection and inventory procedures, and much more.
For a greater understanding of the logic behind this publication, check AR 710-2. Both of these publications appear in the most recent SUPPLY UPDATE, and at this time the most recent issue is Supply Update 14.
DA Pam 710-1-1 explains the term PLL. This is an acronym that means Prescribed Load List. The PLL is the quantity of repair parts kept on hand to support a unit’s daily organizational maintenance requirements. This is normally for a pre-determined number of days of supply. Every unit that is authorized personnel, tools and equipment to perform maintenance, will usually keep a PLL. Normally, you will never maintain your own PLL items in your arms room, for different reasons. The physical security of gun parts, which are easily pilfered and sold at gun shows, is one such reason. For non-Army personnel, your agency policies will determine the availability and access of small arms parts. What you must understand about a PLL is that it is demand supported. An item will be stocked and maintained in your PLL, only if there have been a sufficient number of historical demands for the item. The item must also be appropriate to your level of maintenance, with an essentiality code of “C”.
Active duty Army units must submit three demands for an item within a 180-day control period, in order to qualify for PLL stockage. Army Reserve and Army National Guard units have a 360-day control period in which to submit the necessary demands. This is, of course, based on policy at the time of this writing, which is subject to change in the future. Again, make sure you refer to the current doctrine.
Regardless of the number of items you might require in a PLL, the unit can not have a total of more than 300 items in its’ entire PLL. There are exceptions as explained in DA Pam 710-2-1, Chapter 8, Section 1, but don’t count on being given any policy waivers. There must be a demonstrated need for an item before it can be added to your PLL.
This is why it is so important to use the supply system properly. When you hoard parts or swap them with a buddy, you subvert the system. Demands will not be shown in the system according to your actual usage. Then when you really need a part, it won’t be there, because you have not shown a consistent demand over time for that particular item.
Remember that you are authorized by the equipment TM to maintain certain items on hand in the arms room. These are not PLL items. PLL items are the parts you need to make repairs. The items you are authorized to have on hand are found in Appendix D in the back section of most technical manuals.
Using the maintenance level codes discussed earlier (page 15), you may keep on hand any items with a maintenance level code of “C” or “O”. These are items used by the operator and armorer. Find the codes in column two of the table in Appendix D, commonly titled “Expendable/Durable supplies and Materials List.” Remember also to maintain a 30-day supply, which is tailored to your unit’s field requirements. Keep in mind that in the field your weapons will get dirtier, be fired, etc. Do not base your requirements on a typical month’s usage in the arms room, or you will fall short of what you actually need in the field.
In addition to the items found in this listing, you must also maintain the required Basic Issue Items (BII) or Additional Authorization List (AAL) items as found in the back of the operator TM. These items include cleaning rods, magazines, slings, patches, tool cases, barrel bags and so on. Do not assume the operator has what he or she needs, even if you have issued it to that person. Things get lost, misplaced, stolen, broken or worn out. Make sure you have everything you will need to sustain operations in the field.
Lastly, you must be mindful of the fact that there are items prohibited in the arms room. These items include homemade tools, unauthorized cleaning agents (brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner, 409, etc.), unauthorized cleaning materials (wire brushes, green pads, etc.), and commercial cleaning items not approved by the Department of the Army.
Here’s the simple rule concerning these materials: Don’t buy any, don’t store any, and don’t use any!
You are only authorized to use those items appearing in the technical manual or otherwise approved by the Army.
The reasons are many and varied. First, if you use an unauthorized material or cleaning agent, you can do physical damage to the weapon. Many of today’s weapons have hi-tech finishes which do not tolerate chemicals like brake cleaner being repeatedly used on their surfaces. Regardless of what someone tells you, the use of these items is strictly forbidden.
Also, the fact that people have been doing it for years does not justify anything, either. The fact is, they’ve been violating Army policy for years! If you use one of the unauthorized cleaning agents or materials, and damage your weapon, the Army might expect the unit to pay for the damage out of unit funds. This is especially true if the use of unauthorized procedures is encouraged within the unit.
Second, these items are not authorized because they can have deadly, injurious, or carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects. Many of these chemicals are toxic (read the label), flammable (read the label), explosive in confined spaces if ignited (read the label), carcinogenic (read the label), or classified as hazardous materials (read the label).
Are you getting the point about reading the label? I made some subtle hints about it in the preceding paragraph, for very good reasons. One of them is called the DOD Hazard Communication Program.
This policy, applying to all branches of the DOD, states that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will be maintained in each work area where hazardous chemicals or materials are used. Has your squad leader provided you with the MSDS for that can of brake cleaner? Probably not, since the use of that item is prohibited in the arms room. Do you know the hazards associated with this chemical compound? Have you read the label warnings?
How about the fact that any flammable, toxic, dangerous or explosive material must be stored and handled in accordance with Army fire prevention regulations? The items must be maintained in certain types of facilities or specially designed cabinets, and the areas in which they are stored must be placarded and identified to firefighters and emergency personnel. The installation’s Fire Inspectors must approve the storage.
What about the fact that there is no ventilation in any arms room, and all of these products require “adequate ventilation”? When is the last time you visited an arms room with windows or an air purification system? When you spray that stuff in your arms room, you re-cycle it through your lungs. You don’t need a chemistry or biology degree to know that breathing cancer-causing solvents is not a wise thing to do.
Also, when you use these chemicals, residue is left on the surface of your weapon. When you fire your weapon at the range and it heats up, the chemical cooks off. Your nose is right over the weapon, and you inhale the vapor created. Do you recall, from your chemical warfare classes, the methods by which chemicals attack your body?
Absorption: Through the skin or mucous membranes Ingestion: Through the mouth or nose, to the stomach Inhalation: Through the mouth or nose, to the lungs
Of the three methods, inhalation is most dangerous, since with the other two we need to actually touch the material or swallow it. With inhalation, all we need to do is breathe and it invades our body. Think about it; it’s sort of necessary to breathe, so the likelihood of your inhaling a chemical in a contaminated area is very high, especially if you are ignorant of the danger. Some compounds take years to do their damage, but the end results can be deadly.
A final point or two about supply: when broken down to its essential elements, the supply cycle is extremely simple to understand. Here is a simple explanation of the supply system at the user level:
1. You determine you need something 2. You order it
3. The order is shipped and you receive it 4. You use the item
5. As you need more, you re-order it
That’s all there is to it. But can you see where most people fail? Step 5 is usually ignored until the entire on-hand stock is exhausted. By simply anticipating demands, you can prevent depletion of the items on hand. Conducting routine inventories can prevent shortfalls. The end result of such a policy is the availability of needed items at all times.
Regardless of how simple this seems, many armorers fall short in this single aspect of supply management: the ability to properly forecast requirements and maintain adequate stockage of needed items.
In your arms room, you generally will work without direct supervision. This does not mean that you will not have a supervisor. But it does imply that the boss is not always there, managing your daily activities. As such, it is important that you set up a management program that prevents you from overlooking an important task.
One method the Army is using to deal with this problem is ULLS. The acronym stands for “Unit Level Logistics System”, and is a computer system using special software that tracks maintenance and supply actions. ULLS is the Army’s means of moving into an information-based electronic data tracking system at the unit level.
ULLS is effective and efficient, but has limitations. For instance, an ULLS Specialist enters data into the system. This person can only input the data that you provide. Therefore, if your data is incorrect, incomplete or inadequate, the system will not reflect the true scope of your operation.
Also, the ULLS system is not located in the arms room. This means you have to collect all the data needed for the ULLS clerk, and submit that data for input into the system. So, you still need to use paper-based forms anyway, to collect the data. And, when the unit goes to the field, there may be times when the ULLS system is not available.
The ULLS system tracks organizational maintenance. Operator maintenance of small arms will still have to be recorded on an inspection form, and maintained by the armorer outside the ULLS system. Eventually, these issues will be addressed, with the possibility of portable or laptop computers being issued to the armorer at some time in the future.
But for the present, the system used by the armorer is manual in nature. It involves the filling out of forms, the filing of documents in folders, and the submission of maintenance requisitions.
All of these activities will be your personal responsibility, and must be accomplished without direct supervision. There is a system for tracking maintenance actions on a scheduled basis, as we will learn in the next section. When all else fails, ask your Supply Sergeant. I really sympathize with supply NCO’s. They have a tough, demanding job that goes unappreciated by most people. As an armorer, you need to have a strong working relationship with your Unit Supply Sergeant. Often, he or she will be your first-line supervisor. In this case, a good rapport obviously benefits both parties.
Your Supply Sergeant earned that position by being proficient, and should be able to answer almost any supply question. Remember that the responsibility for keeping the arms room properly supplied and functioning in the correct manner is yours, and yours alone. You can expect help from your superiors, but don’t expect that anyone else will do your job for you.