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72-771: The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle ( IAR ) is a 5.56mm , select-fire assault rifle , based on the HK416 by Heckler & Koch . It is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and is intended to be issued to all infantry riflemen as well as automatic riflemen . The USMC initially planned to purchase 6,500 M27s to replace a portion of the M249 light machine guns employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions. Approximately 8,000–10,000 M249s will remain in service with

144-676: A Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm variable power scope, the same optic fitted on the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle . Although certain selected M27s had been employed as marksman rifles since 2016, the M38 version uses an optic with greater magnification. The naming of the M38 followed a similar convention to the M27, being named after the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines unit that tested the rifle. By April 2018, fielding to all three Marine expeditionary forces had been completed. One M38 marksman version, fitted with

216-710: A concept to suppress every weapon in an infantry battalion. Exercises showed that having all weapons suppressed improved squad communication and surprise during engagements. Disadvantages included additional heat and weight, increased maintenance, and the greater cost of equipping so many troops with the attachment. In July 2020, the Marine Corps announced it would be ordering suppressors for use by all M27s used by close combat units. The Marines began to roll out suppressors for all M27s in infantry, reconnaissance and special operations units in December 2020. The QDSS, in use since

288-714: A flight instructor in advanced jet training, attendance at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia , as a major, and a 13-month overseas staff assignment to the III Marine Amphibious Force , Okinawa , Japan, Amos was transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 24 , Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he assumed command of Marine Air Base Squadron 24, later re-designated as Marine Wing Support Squadron 173. Joining VMFA-212, in 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Amos deployed to

360-658: A noncaliber-specific reticle and an illuminated or nonilluminated aim-point and is intended to supplement the attrition and replacement of the older ACOG RCO and SDO sights for weapons including the M27. Fielding of the VCOG SCO began in January 2021. In December 2021, the USMC signaled intention to acquire 19,000 units of the SCO. In January 2017, a USMC unit deployed with KAC NT4 QDSS suppressors mounted to their M27 rifles as part of

432-530: A pre-solicitation notice for the M27. "The new pre-solicitation notice of 50,184 [M27s]", said Woodburn, "is [meant] to up the production capacity that H&K must be able to meet as the sole-source provider [of the M27], should the Marines decide to order more in the future." At SHOT Show 2018, the Marine Corps announced that the deal with H&K to produce 11,000 M27s for the Marine Corps had been finalized and that

504-641: A role where it replaced the Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle . Additionally, the free-floating barrel offers improved accuracy at approximately 2  MOA compared with 4.5 MOA for M16A4 rifles. The M27 is based on the H&;K HK416 . It features a gas-operated short-stroke piston action with a rotating bolt and a free-floating barrel. The handguard has four MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails for use with accessories and optics. Alternate calibers other than 5.56 mm are being considered for

576-457: A scope and QDSS suppressor, is to be fielded per infantry squad to engage targets out to 600 meters. Full operational capability is planned for September 2018. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps . Selective fire The presence of select fire modes on firearms permits more efficient use of rounds to be fired for specific needs, versus having

648-419: A single mode of operation, such as fully automatic, thereby conserving ammunition while maximizing on-target accuracy and effectiveness. This capability is most commonly found on military weapons of the 20th and 21st centuries. Early attempts at this technology were hindered by one or both of two obstacles: over-powerful ammunition and mechanical complexity. The latter led to excessive weight and unreliability in

720-531: A trigger pull for each round). Some select-fire weapons offer a burst mode as the second option, where each pull of the trigger automatically fires a predetermined number of rounds (generally two or three), but will not fire any more until the trigger is released and pulled again. The current U.S. standard assault rifle , the M16A4 , and the M4 carbine variant of this rifle fire a maximum of three rounds with each pull of

792-427: A two-round-burst to minimize the chances of missing with a third round. Some automatic cannons have larger burst limiters to coincide with higher rates of fire. James F. Amos James F. "Jim" Amos (born November 12, 1946) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 35th commandant of the Marine Corps . As a naval aviator , Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during

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864-595: A unique rate-of-fire reducer mechanism purchased from FN Herstal with two rates of automatic fire. This reducer mechanism was later changed to one designed by the Springfield Armory . The final version (M1918A2) provided two selectable rates of fully automatic fire only. During World War II the Germans began development of the select-fire function which resulted in the FG 42 battle rifle developed in 1942 at

936-476: A variety of select-fire functions. The first design (M1918) is a select-fire, air-cooled automatic rifle that used a trigger mechanism with a fire selector lever that enabled operating in either semi-automatic or fully automatic firing modes. The selector lever is located on the left side of the receiver and is simultaneously the manual safety (selector lever in the "S" position – weapon is "safe", "F" – "Fire", "A" – "Automatic" fire). The next version (M1918A1) had

1008-469: Is a weighted trigger, such as the Steyr AUG , which will fire a single shot when 4.0 - 7.1 kg (8.8 – 15.4 lbs.) of weight is exerted on the trigger, and then become fully automatic when over 7.1 kg (15.4 lbs.) of weight is applied. This is useful for emergency situations where a rapid volley of rounds is more effective for suppressing a close enemy rather than a single-round burst (multiple single shots with

1080-511: Is an HK416 variant with accessories required by the Marine Corps. It is issued with the Blue Force Gear Vickers Combat Applications sling and rail sling mounts, AIM Manta Rail Covers, Harris bipod, KAC backup iron sights, a foregrip, and bayonet lug . The M27 initially had a grip pod, which is a foregrip with bipod legs inside, but it was replaced by a separate foregrip and bipod. The standard optic

1152-524: Is less susceptible to malfunctions compared to previous internal piston M4- and M16-style weapons. IAR gunners consider the rifle-grade accuracy to be a significant improvement over the SAW, despite the loss of sustained firing. Due to budget limitations, the Marine Corps is looking at ways to implement the IAR as a multipurpose weapon. Suggestions included use as an automatic rifle and as a designated marksman rifle ,

1224-723: Is more controllable on fully automatic than the M249. Concern of volume of fire loss was made up through training courses developed in December 2010. With the M249 SAW , the idea of suppression was volume of fire and the sound of the machine gun. With the M27 IAR, the idea of suppression shifts to engaging with precision fire, as it has rifle accuracy at long range and fully automatic fire at short range. Shooters transitioned from long-range precision fire at 700 meters to short-to-medium-range suppressive fire at 200 meters (660 ft), both while in

1296-558: Is the Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) Squad Day Optic (SDO), officially designated the Sight Unit, SU-258/PVQ [TA11SDO]. It is a 3.5×35 machine gun optic that has a Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR [RM05 RMR]) sight screwed on top for close-quarters engagements under 100 meters. Created for the SAW, the day optic offers slightly less magnification but longer eye relief than

1368-777: The Chief of Naval Operations and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force , were notified of an over $ 4 billion shortfall in the JSF Program. Reacting to this and the steadily rising costs and delays in the program, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called a meeting with Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Amos, ostensibly to cancel the Marine variant, the F-35B. Amos was successful in convincing Gates of

1440-558: The Chief of Staff , U.S. Joint Task Force Noble Anvil during the air campaign over Yugoslavia and Kosovo. Transferred to the Pentagon in the summer of 2000, Amos' other one-star assignments included posting as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation in 2000, and the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations in 2001. In August 2002, Amos was promoted to major general and assumed command of

1512-612: The Iraq War in 2003 and 2006. He served as the 31st assistant commandant of the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2010, and was the first Marine Corps aviator to serve as commandant. He retired from the Marine Corps in December 2014. The son of a career navy pilot, Amos was born on November 12, 1946, in Wendell, Idaho . He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economics , and

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1584-761: The Land Warfare Resources Corporation M6A4 IAR , Patriot Ordnance Factory , and General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products with the CIS Ultimax 100 MK5 (marketed as the GDATP IAR). In December 2009, the H&;K weapon won the competition and entered into a five-month period of final testing. In the summer of 2010, it was formally designated as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. After

1656-587: The M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round with the M27 showed reliability problems from feeding issues from standard magazines, the PMAG 30 GEN M3 Window, which had better reliability with the EPR, was approved for use by Marines in December 2016, so that M27 gunners who receive M855A1 rounds do not face such issues. High capacity magazines of between 50 and 100 rounds are being explored. The M27

1728-564: The Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity conducted further testing at Twentynine Palms , Fort McCoy and Camp Shelby for dust, cold-weather, and hot-weather conditions, respectively, limited fielding of 458 IARs were sent to four infantry battalions, one per each Marine expeditionary force one reserve , and one light armored reconnaissance battalion, all of which deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. In May 2011, Marine General James F. Amos approved

1800-763: The United States Congress , in the Senate and the House over two years of budgetary efforts, Congress authorized and appropriated monies to buy a, not-programmed, 12th San Antonio Class LPD amphibious war ship. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the Chief of Naval Operations, the Secretary of the Navy, and Amos agreeing to recapitalizing the Navy's more than 40-year-old LSD amphibious ships with

1872-406: The procurement process before an official program was begun and a list of required capabilities was created in early 2005. The Infantry Automatic Rifle program began on 14 July 2005, when the Marine Corps sent Requests For Information to arms manufacturers. Characteristics desired in the weapon included portability and maneuverability; similarity in appearance to other rifles in the squad, reducing

1944-551: The 15,000 Marines of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based out of Miramar, California , leading them in combat twice between 2003 and 2004 during Operations Iraqi Freedom I and II . Receiving his third star in 2004, Lieutenant General Amos assumed command of the 45,000+ Marines and sailors of the II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina. In 2006, he was reassigned as the commanding general, Marine Corps' Combat Development Command, and as

2016-402: The 2000s, works on both M4/M16 rifles and M27/M38 rifles. It features a quick-detach mechanism. The USMC hopes to field 30,000 units before fiscal year 2023. As of December 2020, it has already obtained 13,700 units. The M38 Squad Designated Marksman rifle (M38 SDMR) is essentially the same as the M27 IAR and retains its selective fire capabilities. The only difference is that it is fitted with

2088-677: The 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus awarded Amos the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service as commandant and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel awarded him with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for over 42 1 ⁄ 2 years of distinguished service. Amos retired from active duty on 1 December 2014. In November 2010, shortly after becoming commandant, Amos, along with

2160-560: The ACOG Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) on M16s and M4s. The longer relief helps reduce injury risk from recoil . In February 2020, it was announced that Trijicon would deliver approximately 19,000 units of its newer 1-8x28 Variable Combat Optical Gunsight (VCOG) between 2021 and 2023 under the SU-281/PVQ [VCOG 1x8-28] Squad Common Optic (SCO) designation. The SU-281/PVQ is a variable-power magnified day optic that comprises

2232-572: The M249 SAW within the infantry and those who advocate that a lighter, more maneuverable, and accurate weapon is sufficient to support offensive operations at the squad level. With the M249 SAW, the doctrine of fire suppression is the sound of continuous fire with rounds landing close to the enemy. While the M249's volume of fire may be greater, it is less accurate. Experienced troops who have dealt with incoming fire are less likely to take cover from incoming rounds if they are not close enough. With an IAR,

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2304-626: The M249. In early 2017, Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Neller said he wanted to equip every " 0311 " rifleman with an M27 IAR. Because of that, the Marine Corps issued a request in early 2017 for 11,000 M27 IARs from H&K. According to Chris Woodburn, deputy of the Maneuver Branch, Fires and Maneuver Integration at Marine Corps Combat Development Command , "The new order will replace all M4s in every infantry squad with an M27, except for

2376-661: The M27 IAR would be adopted as the standard issue service rifle of the Marine Corps infantry, largely replacing the M4, which would be retained at platoon and company leadership levels. In 2019, it was reported that the last of the M27s would arrive at the Marine Corps inventory and are expected to be in the hands of each infantryman from platoon commander and below by mid-2021. Ultimately, the Marines bought just over 14,000 M27s, Manny Pacheco, spokesman for Marine Corps Systems Command, told Marine Corps Times . While Marine Corps Systems Command

2448-423: The M27. The M27 usually draws ammunition from a standard 30-round STANAG magazine. The improved STANAG magazine with the tan-colored anti-tilt follower is favored over the previous version with the green follower because it can be inserted more easily, and the anti-tilt follower can handle high rates of fully automatic fire with less chance of malfunction. There have been issues with some STANAG magazines sticking in

2520-471: The Marine Corps to be used at the discretion of company commanders. In December 2017, the Marine Corps announced that it would equip every member of an infantry squad with the M27, supplanting the M4 carbine which would be retained at the platoon leadership positions and above. In 1999, a Universal Need Statement was issued for an IAR. Around 2000, the 1st Marine Division’s 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment conducted initial, limited IAR trials which confirmed

2592-435: The PMAG. Because the M27 cannot be fed from the widely-used M2 PMAG magazines that M4s or M16 rifles in the squad could take, the Marines banned the polymer PMAG for issue to prevent interchangeability issues. In response, Magpul began the process of arranging verification and official testing for their improved PMAG 30 GEN M3 magazine, which is compatible with both the M27 and M16-series rifles. After Marine Corps testing of

2664-533: The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, spent the better part of 2013 traveling to most every Marine base to personally challenge the corps' NCO leadership with getting back to the basics. The sole focus of the Reawakening was simply to remind marines of their higher calling. Amos reinforced "who they were" as marines, "what they did for the nation", and "who they were not". As commandant, Amos opposed

2736-802: The Western Pacific as the squadron's executive officer for what would be called "Operation Last Dance," the last overseas deployment of the Marine F-4 Phantom before it was phased out and retired. Transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet in the spring of 1990, Amos assumed command of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 VMFA-312 , and took delivery of 12 new F/A-18C aircraft, becoming the Marine Corps’ first single-seat Night Attack Hornet squadron. In

2808-582: The awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal . African-American men were recruited into the Marine Corps under President Roosevelt 's orders beginning in 1942. Establishing a segregated boot camp on a swampy point of land in Jacksonville, North Carolina known as Montford Point, the Marine Corps trained some 20,000 African American men between 1942 and 1949. Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Alexander Vandegrift , closed down

2880-610: The change, describing the repeal as a "non-event." Since retiring from the Marine Corps, Amos has joined the board of directors of the Lord Corporation , a defense contractor. He currently serves as chairman of the board of the Semper Fi Fund . He sits on the Veterans Bridge Home Advisory Board and also sits on the Board of Advisors for Operation Mend. Amos holds the rifle sharpshooter and several awards of

2952-682: The conclusion of the Limited User Evaluation (LUE) and ordered the replacement of the M249 LMG by the M27. Fielding of the approximately 6,500 M27 units was completed by 2013, at a cost of $ 13 million. Each M27 gunner was to be equipped with around 22 30-round magazines of the type currently in use with the M16 and M4 carbine , approximating the combat load of an M249 SAW gunner. The M27 gunner would not be expected to carry all 22 magazines. The individual combat load would be determined at

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3024-543: The corps during the period of marked fiscal austerity, all while ensuring the combat readiness of the Marine Corps for its continued role as our nation's Expeditionary Crisis Response Force. Responding to multiple global challenges that had been critically acclaimed as "the new normal," he established Special Purpose – Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response commands in both Africa and the Middle East, while adding 1,000 Marine Security Guards to America's embassies around

3096-474: The corps' need for the aircraft, choosing rather to place the F-35B on a two-year probation to allow the program to mature and right itself. Amos' detailed and hands-on actions over the next 18 months ensured positive progress on the Marine variant in most areas of concern, resulting in Secretary Leon Panetta removing the F-35B from probation six months early. As a result, the Marine Corps was

3168-549: The deputy commandant for combat development and integration, at Quantico, Virginia , where he was responsible for the training of all Marines, their combat units, their continuing education, and for the identification of all Marine equipment requirements. Receiving his fourth star in July 2008, Amos assumed duties as the 31st Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps , based at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. In June 2010, Amos

3240-457: The desirability of a light automatic rifle. The key difference between a lighter infantry rifle and a more heavily built automatic rifle is the ability of the latter to maintain sustained continuous fire without stoppages, overheating, or loss of accuracy. Experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in formal requests for recommendations. The Universal Need Statement spent six years going through

3312-548: The doctrine is that lower volume of fire is needed with better accuracy. Fewer rounds need to be used, and automatic riflemen can remain in combat longer and in more situations. The IAR was initially fielded in December 2010. 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines were deployed to Afghanistan in April 2011 with 84 IARs. Former SAW gunners initially did not like the M27 but appreciated it as time went on. It weighed 9 lb (4 kg) loaded, compared to 22 lb (10 kg) for an M249, which

3384-621: The firearm. One of the earliest designs dates to just before the end of the 19th century with the development of the Cei-Rigotti , an early automatic rifle created by Italian Army officer Amerigo Cei-Rigotti that had select-fire capability (single shots or burst). Another is the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) developed during the First World War . The BAR and its subsequent designs incorporated

3456-594: The first service to be able to stand up and operationally certify a Joint Strike Fighter squadron within the DoD. After a decade plus of declining amphibious ship numbers in the U.S. Navy inventory, and increasing operational requirements for marines around the world, Amos partnered with the Chief of Naval Operations, the Navy Secretariat, and industry to reconfirm amphibious ship requirements, acceptable readiness levels, and total hull numbers. Working closely with

3528-611: The invention of smokeless powder." The select-fire function was later seen in the Russian AK-47 (designed in 1946), the Belgian FN FAL (designed 1947-53) the British EM-2 (designed in 1948), and the U.S. AR-10 (designed in 1957) and its AR derivatives . Select-fire weapons, by definition, have a semi-automatic mode, where the weapon automatically reloads the chamber after each fired round, but requires

3600-431: The likelihood that the gunner will receive special attention from the enemy; facilitation of the gunner's participation in counterinsurgency operations ; and capability of maintaining a high volume of fire. An initial requirement for a magazine with a minimum capacity of 100 rounds was dropped in favor of the 30-round STANAG magazine because, at the start of testing, available 100-round magazines were unreliable. Caliber

3672-401: The magwell, especially when painted or damaged. While a rifleman normally carries seven 30-round magazines, an IAR gunner has to carry up to 16 and may carry as many as 21 due to the requirements of the role and fully automatic rate of fire. The magazine well has a flared opening that aids in magazine insertion. A PMAG 30 GEN M2 magazine cannot be inserted because of the frontal plastic bevel on

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3744-455: The new, and proven, San Antonio Class hull design. This single agreement alone will result in millions of dollars saved over the lifetime of the LSD replacement effort, and will accelerate the completion and delivery of the ships years ahead of schedule. In 2012, Amos partnered with key legislators In the US House and US Senate to bring national recognition to the service and sacrifices of the corps' African American Montford Point Marines with

3816-403: The position as commandant. This marked the first time a Marine aviator had held the position of commandant, and the first time since 1983 that a sitting assistant commandant had moved up to become commandant. During his tenure as commandant, Amos completed the corps' combat mission in Afghanistan. Facing sequestration and the significant effects of the Budget Control Act, he fought to re-balance

3888-482: The prone position. Some gunners in combat have been used as designated marksmen . An M27 gunner with one aimed shot has the effect of three or four automatic shots from the SAW and still has the option of a heavier volume with an accurate grouping . Marines issued with the M27 enjoy its similarities to other M4-style weapons in service. Its gas-operated short-stroke piston action runs cooler and more cleanly, requires less maintenance, has less internal parts wear, and

3960-442: The repeal of the " don't ask, don't tell " policy regarding homosexuals openly serving in the U.S. military. After President Obama signed the legislation setting the conditions for repeal, Amos led the Department of Defense in carrying out the will of the nation's civilian leadership. In late November 2011, Amos stated that his opposition to gays openly serving in the military has proven unfounded and said that Marines have embraced

4032-443: The request of the German Air Force ( Luftwaffe ) in 1941. Another German design that used select fire was the StG 44 that was the first of its kind to see major deployment and is considered by many historians to be the first modern assault rifle . "The principle of this weapon -- the reduction of muzzle impulse to get useful automatic fire within actual ranges of combat -- was probably the most important advance in small arms since

4104-415: The same rate of fire. In a firefight, squad members carrying extra magazines for the M27 might not always be in a position to supply them to the gunner. Further, the SAW was already a battle-proven weapon. He regarded it as significant that the Army had chosen not to pursue the IAR concept. The notion that the M27 represents a reduction in suppressive fire has spawned considerable debate between proponents of

4176-411: The segregated training in 1949, stating "The experiment with the negro Marines is over. They are Marines …Period!" The Montford Point Marines served in the Pacific during WWII, and again in 1951 during the Korean War. Their unique service to the United States had never been recognized at the national level until Amos initiated efforts to have them awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Final authorization

4248-399: The spring of 1972, Amos's ensuing operational assignments included tours with VMFA-235 , VMFA-232 , and VMFA-122 , where he flew the F-4 Phantom II . In the fall of 1978, Amos left the active Marine Corps to become a commercial pilot for Braniff International Airways . He was employed with Braniff for 25 months, returning to the Marine Corps in January 1981. After a three-year posting as

4320-434: The squad leader." He stated that the change includes infantry training battalions. The timeline for funding was planned for fiscal years 2019 and 2020, with the Corps acquiring some of the rifles in fiscal year 2018. As of August 2017, officials stated that "riflemen are the top priority", but that the M27 "will be in the hands of combat engineers and light armored reconnaissance battalion scouts next." The Corps later issued

4392-413: The summer of 1992, he and his squadron joined Carrier Air Wing Eight on board the USS  Theodore Roosevelt  (CVN-71) . The squadron's strong performance was recognized in 1993 with the awarding of the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Hanson Trophy, recognizing 312 as the Marine Corps' top fighter/attack squadron. Following a two-year staff instructor assignment at Quantico, Virginia , where he

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4464-404: The trigger be released and pulled again before firing the next round. This allows for rapid and (in theory) aimed fire. In some weapons, the selection is between different rates of automatic fire and/or varying burst limiters. The selection is often by a small rotating switch often integrated with the safety catch or a switch separate from the safety, as in the British SA80 family. Another method

4536-480: The trigger in burst mode . In this design, it retains the count of previously fired rounds and may fire fewer than three rounds. Other designs reset the count with each trigger pull, allowing a uniform three-round burst as long as rounds remain. A common version of the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun (which is widely used by SWAT teams and military special operations personnel) fires single shots, three-round-bursts, and automatically. A special variant uses

4608-400: The unit level and was expected to vary by unit, based on results of evaluations. Though program officials were aware that switching from the belt-fed M249 would result in a loss of suppressive fire capability, Charles Clark III, of the Marine Corps' Combat Development and Integration Office, cited the substantially increased accuracy of the M27 as a significant factor in the decision to replace

4680-516: The world. Additionally, during his final two years as commandant, he shepherded the corps' considerable efforts to address head-on its many challenges in recruiting and maintaining a diverse and talented body of marines. Lastly, he significantly raised the requirements and capacity within the Marine Corps University for all marines to attend resident Professional Military Education. On October 17, 2014, at Marine Corps Barracks Washington, Amos relinquished command to General Joseph Dunford , who became

4752-429: Was a significant difference when on five-hour missions. Gunners said it was "two weapons in one", being able to fire single shots accurately out to 800 meters (2,600 ft) and have fully automatic fire. It also blended in with standard M16-style service rifles, making it difficult for enemy forces to identify the machine gunner. The battalion leadership saw the M27 IAR as better at preventing collateral damage , as it

4824-465: Was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps on January 23, 1970. He attended pilot training in Pensacola, Florida , and was designated a Naval Aviator on November 23, 1971. He was promoted to lieutenant junior grade in December 1971, and was subsequently granted an inter-service transfer to the United States Marine Corps in 1972. Joining Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 ( VMFA-212 ) in

4896-419: Was optimistic about operational testing, former Marine Commandant General James T. Conway remained skeptical because of the reduction in firepower at the fireteam -level that would result if the M27 was adopted. He felt that, while more accurate, it was unlikely that the M27 could provide fire superiority over the belt-fed M249 SAW. A magazine-fed rifle, requiring frequent reloading, would not be able to sustain

4968-399: Was promoted to colonel , Amos took command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 , Beaufort, South Carolina in May 1996. Promoted to brigadier general in 1998, Amos was assigned to NATO as the deputy commander, Naval Striking Forces, Southern Europe in Naples , Italy. During this tour, he commanded NATO's Kosovo Verification and Coordination Center in Skopje, North Macedonia , and later served as

5040-415: Was recommended Secretary of Defense Robert Gates for nomination as the 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps . Amos was nominated by President Barack Obama on July 20, who interviewed him for the job on June 17. and confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 21, and confirmed shortly thereafter. On October 22, 2010, in a ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. , Amos assumed

5112-435: Was signed and the medal struck on November 23, 2011, recognizing the Montford Point Marines. Sensing that 10 years of sustained combat may have begun fraying the edges of the corps' moral fabric, Amos initiated an effort to morally and ethically "reground the corps." The effort, named the "Reawakening", targeted the corps' central leadership cadre, the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). Amos and Sergeant Major Micheal Barrett ,

5184-512: Was specified as 5.56×45mm with non-linked ammunition, so as to achieve commonality with existing service rifles. In 2006, contracts were issued to several manufacturers for sample weapons. Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal submitted an IAR variant of the FN SCAR , Heckler & Koch (H&K) submitted an HK416 variant , and Colt Defense submitted two designs. Companies that attempted to compete but were not accepted as finalists for testing included

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