Here's some math for ya!

1 wife + 2 kids + 3 jobs + 4 months until next deployment (about) x 1 home closing in a week = 1 busy JB2D.

Solve for "X"....

Never fear, I might be a little overwhelmed right now, but I'm still working on the next post.

In the mean time, go check out The Road Trip to Oblivion. But ONLY if you are not easily offended by course/vulgar language and racial humor (the authors are a couple of twisted white and black guys).

I've been guest-appearing in The Road Trip since the 2nd episode of the 2nd season.

Plot spoiler: The Oblivion Crew will be heading to the Middle East towards the end of this season into the third season. So start listening to this outrageous podcast now and be ready for the G.W.O.T. to be brought to a screeching halt!

JB2D out.

Ok, here's my first rant.

This is theHK 416 Enhanced Carbine.

It fires the same round as the M-16 family, 5.56 x 45mm NATO, but replaces the otherwise crap-tastic direct-gas impingement system with a piston system like an AK-47. It's dependable and will work in the harshest environments (I.E. Dust, dirt, sand, and about anything Iraq & Afghanistan can throw at you).

That means less to no carbon gases being blasted back into the upper receiver making it foul and susceptible to jamming.

The HK is purported to be currently in use by Delta Force, with SF using the S.C.A.R.

So the HK has a better feeding system. But if that wasn't enough, it turns out you don't even have to buy an all new rifle! You only have to replace the upper receiver!

Military.com stated in its 6 Apr 07 article about the 416:

"According to the solicitation for the new upper receiver assemblies, the 416 "allows Soldiers to replace the existing M4 upper receiver with an HK proprietary gas system that does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon's interior."

Now, I've never fired the 416, but come on. It is basically a piston driven M-4. Fires the same round, just has a different and dependable way of feeding the rounds. Can it be any different?

And it can be obtained cheaper than a complete rifle. Take the old M-4 upper receivers and fit them to the M-16 lowers. Sell the M-16 lowers to Law Enforcement at a discount price, REMFs get an M-4 and feel high speed low drag, operators get a more reliable carbine for the good fight.

Every one's a winner. And if THAT'S not enough for ya, they come with a rail system already in place! Saves the soldier a little cabbage. The only thing I don't agree with is what appears to be the lack of a bayonet lug. I might be old fashioned, but I like the ability to "fix bayonets"!

Makes sense, don't it? But unfortunately, I'm just an E-4, I'm not in charge of nuthin' (though maybe I should).

But after wasting around $33 million on the XM8 system, which was dropped back in '05, the Army is, "still spending money looking for another technology while Soldiers use what many say is an inferior weapon in harsh combat conditions."

Am I the only one who is pissed about this!?! I'm going back to Iraq soon and I want/need /deserve the best there is to do my best in the War on Terror.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my Army (that's right, this is MY Army). But this is a plain bone head move. You burn through $33,000,000 on a weapon system that never even made it out of the lab, but you're going to ignore what is proven by professional shooter's as a better weapon!?!
Okay, I need to calm down. I can always just buy a civilian version for myself. If you are reading this and HAVE fired the HK 416, please drop me a review so that I can get first hand info on this.

At least they appear to have gotten something right with the new body armor that will begin fielding soon. But would it have made more sense to go with the controversial Dragon Skin?

I'm still thinking about that. I'll post on it later. Not that I'd be the first.

So thank you for sitting through my first rant. PLEASE drop a comment and let me know if I'm bitching for no reason or if I have a valid argument. I love hearing from you guys. So until the next time I get my knickers in a twist....

JB2D out.