Accountability

Why I should have accountability of my weapon at all times.

I am typing this essay out due to that fact that I left my weapon unattended at the range out at graf on Thursday. I tried using the excuse that I was told to leave my weapon while I was going around picking up brass but I had left it there once I was done and went to turn in the brass that I had picked up that was over at the next range. That still does not make for a valid excuse due to the fact that my weapon was just sitting next to the tower unattended.

I was lucky in the fact that this happened in a garrison enviroment rather than downrage or somewhere that I am surrounded by hostiles at. If this had happened in an area like Afghanistan, there could be the chance of there being a firefight and I would be stuck away from my weapon which would render me useless. It could also be fatal to my comrades in arms as it reduces our chances at attaining fire superiority and that gives the enemy a chance to over run our position. It also requires them to baby sit me for my screw up and that just gives them one more thing to worry about on top of every thing else that is going on around them.

I feel that this is a constant pattern that has been going on with me as this is not the first time I have neglected to keep track of my equipment. It started off with my keys and then I lost my kevlar and now it's my weapon. I think that it stems with me not being focused on what is going on around me and what the current task at hand would be. It also comes with having a lack of concern for my job as an infantry man and as a member of the United States army as