I hate asking what is probably a stupid question, but...

Do Marines use Miles gear for training on their M1A1's? I've only seen pics of what look like Army Abrams and other vehicles with the Miles gear on them.

If they do, do they leave the MCD on the tanks or is this something that they only attach for real life operations? Also, would they have smoke grenades or would the tubes be empty?

Can't tell you much about the MCD except that it, like the M1A2's CITV, is as permanent a fixture as anything on a tank. So my guess would be yes, they are still attached. Whether or not they are used is a different question.

Again to my knowledge, all forces use MILES or derivitives of it. For the Abrams, they use the Hoffman device for simulating the main gun being fired. It is positioned just above the main gun (the black tubular fixture in the image below).



Jeff

The MCD will be attached for combat operations, but in a training enviroment will have a cover over it, if not removed completely. Its has no practical value during training, unless they've developed a "training missle" that actually heads for the tank and hits it! The MCD is a counter measure for GUIDED anti-tank missles. For operations in Falluja, the MCD's were not fitted to each tank, most likely due to the lack of a ATGM threat. It does nothing to stop or confuse an RPG. With the possibility of that British C130 being brought down with an ATGM, they might pull them back out to protect against the new threat, but that is my opinion.

It is though, designed to be removed, unlike the CITV on the M1A2, the MCD just bolts to the empty sight mount on top of the turret. Its not armored and the Marines dont have the budget to replace such an expensive item when it breaks. In regards to the smoke grenade launcher, in training, they would remain empty, IIRC, something to do with them being somewhat dangerous.

When I was in, we only used MILES gear once or twice. Marine armor doesnt have the large open spaces that the Army does, set up and hard wired with MILES gear. 29 Plams is a live fire range, but Ft Irwin is wired for training. But my experience doesnt speak for everybody's.

You were a jarhead tanker too Ryan?

I second the MILES deal, we only used it sparingly and it was troublesome when we did. Kills were usually awarded by the umpire sitting on a LT's tank who just 'killed' the chosen tank with his God gun. 29 Palms is definitely great for live fire CAX's but for OPFOR training you gotta go to NTC, which I never got to go to.

Hello All,
The MCD is made to be taken on or off as the situation dictates, now as a Master Gunner I preferred the TWGSS system, I loved the interaction and the customizable after action reviews you could do.

SF
Andy Elesky

Sorry, wasnt a tanker. Was 0311, but I initialy signed up as a tanker. At the last minute, I changed to infanty. The closest I got to tanks was bumping around in the back of an Amtrac, lots of time spent doing that! Did get to sit in the Up-Gun station a time or two. Cool view while rolling at top speed.
With my love of tanks, not sure why I switched MOS, but once the decision was made, I couldnt do a lateral move. I left for Parris the next week. Some times I am glad I did, other times I am not. I really love the Abrams. Strange really.
Semper Fi

That's funny Ryan, I was of the other mindset when I joined. I went in under the Combined Arms option, recruiter told me I'd get infantry (which was what I wanted - go figure I'd wanna be a 03humps a lot lol) and got armor. It was a love/hate relationship for me, I loved the job but hated the maintenance part (8 hours for every 1 hour of operation) and felt we spent more time fixing and maintaining the machines rather than learning to fight them.

I loved the field, just LOVED being in the field as that's what Marines do. Nothing beats tactical movement in a tank, seeing it all unfold in front of you from the loaders hatch. It's the only drawback to being a gunner, when you move up to that spot you miss out on all the nice sights but then again you get to sleep through road marches and don't have to hump ammo into the breech. lol

Andy, glad to see you're back

everyone else, thanks for answering the original question as i too was wondering this
-Shain

sorry but what do you need to be a tanker in the marines? can u sign up straight away or do you need inartry first or something

You can sign up to any MOS you want, assuming your ASVAB test score is high enough. If its low, the Marine Corps decides fof you. Depending on your score, with a high enough score for the field you want, you can choose your own job. At least thats the way it was in 1993.

Everyone in the Marines is a rifleman first. Everyone will go through MCT (Marine Combat Training) or whatever its called now for 4-5 weeks following boot. IIRC, straight grunts (03xx) skip this and go on to SOI (School of Infantry). At MCT, you learn which end of the rifle the rounds come out of, how to assemble a tent in the dark, play with crew served weapons and learn that boot camp is over and momma ain't watchin no more! :-)

Go into a scout unit and play with LAV's, best of both worlds.

Melon

good reference for marine abrams during training:

http://www.pbase.com/adlerz/desertex2003&page=all

LAVs, thats what i'd like to do in the marine corps,. so you have to be a grunt to mess with those bad boys?

Thanks for the answers!