M16A2 Service Rifle
BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR WEAPON

The Marine rifleman of the next conflict will be first to confront the enemy and the last to hang his weapon in the rack after the war is won. This has been just as true for global wars such as World War II as it has been for "limited wars" such as Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The role of the Marine rifleman is to assist his unit in accomplishing its mission.
The Marine rifleman's mission is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or to repel his assault by fire and close combat in the amphibious assault and subsequent operations ashore. The rifle is the primary means with which the Marine accomplishes the mission. It is therefore, important that as a Marine rifleman you have detailed knowledge of, and professional ability with the rifle.

RIFLEMAN'S CREED

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle without me is useless; I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I will... My rifle and myself know what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that is is the hits that count. We will hit... My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother, I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its accessories, and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will... Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until there is no enemy, but peace.
RIFLE DESCRIPTION

The M16A2 rifle is a 5.56mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon. It is designed for either semi-automatic or three round burst-control fire through the use of a selector valve. 

Weight        Kilograms   Pounds
Rifle w/out
magazine        3.50        7.78
Rifle w/30-round
magazine        3.99        8.79
Length        Centimeters Inches
Rifle overall   100.6       39.62
Ammunition
Types: Ball, Tracer, Blank
Operational Capabilities
Cyclic rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute (rpm)
Maximum effective rate of fire,
semiautomatic: 45rpm
Maximum effective rate of fire, 
auto burst: 900rpm
Sustained rate of fire: 12-15rpm
Maximum range: 3,534 meters (m)
Maximum effective range for individual
or point targets: 550m
Maximum effective range for area
targets: 800m
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