Originally Posted by Gun Grape

I addition to the point that Shek made, I’ll add this.

Your above statement is crap. Immediately after a death in a training area, regardless of the cause, ALL TRAINING IS HALTED ON THE BASE.

I’ll give a real life example. A Marine company was going through one of the Assault Fire and Maneuver courses, One Plt was assaulting, firing on the move. E-2 with a SAW had a jam, slowed down to clear the stoppage and the rest of his fire team got ahead of him. After clearing the stoppage, he took the weapon off safe, the weapon fired and he shot and killed a fellow Marine.

What happened? All live fire was immediately suspended aboard Camp Lejeune.
Three days later, the investigation had progressed far enough that non-maneuver ranges were opened. (ie. rifle range).

For the unit, the Marines fire team leader, Squad ldr, Plt. Sgt, Plt. Cdr were relieved. The
XO as RSO was relieved as was the SNCO that was acting as the NCOIC of firing and the SNCO that was the downrange safety NCOIC. Company CO and Bn Cdr received Letters of Reprimand from the CG.

All SAW firing was suspended throughout the Marine Corps. In the investigation, it was noted that the TTPs taught at the School Of Infantry were followed by the PFC, however because of the SAW being fired from the open bolt, the procedures in regards to placing the weapon on safe could cause the bolt to go home and firing a round if the weapon had a round in the feed tray.

New procedures were developed, distributed throughout the Marine Corps (and Army Tradoc). All SAW gunners were given remedial training before they were allowed to
Fire the weapon. The SOI incorporated the changes in the training syllabus.

And new rules were set since it was deemed that a PFC really isn’t experienced enough to be a SAW gunner. T/O changed and SAWs were no longer given to the “boots” since it’s a heavier weapon.

A lot of other things happened IRT range safety procedures but I think you get the point.