PeaceOfMind wrote:Here's my experience:
2008, Al Asad Air Base, Western Iraq, Perimeter Patrols
There was four sections around the base. It was a large base in the middle of nowhere. We patrolled the same quadrant for 5 months. We had met every man out there and so had the Marines before us. No imminent danger. They would tell us if they saw any strangers (at least we think they did, could have made it up to get on our good side for food and water). Moral of the story. We rode around in armored trucks in condition 3 ( magazine inserted, no round in the chamber, weapon on safe). If we exited the vehicle, we went to condition 1 (mag inserted, round in chamber, weapon on safe). We did this before we got out and made sure to be discreet about it. We wanted the locals to think we were always condition 1. Going condition 1 would be no problem if we needed to in any other instance so I was fine with the carry condition. Last thing you want is to be in a armored truck when a round goes off. Again, the situation did not call for condition 1, we could see for miles (mostly flat desert).
Oh and everything besides our rifles was strapped down in the trucks. Sharp or hard edges yes but nothing loose besides a rifle the was being held by hand.
same thing during the period of 7/09 to 9/2011. inside the wire cond 3 and often no weapon at all at Double A, its another beautiful day at double A