Re: M14 still issued?
As for taking personal side arm it is a very delicate situation. Prior to deployment to Sadr City (a very rough area in Bagdad), battalion HQ reassigned our snipers side arms to the machine gunners. Their reasoning was that sniper teams are supposed to receive a fire team for security escort and no longer need them. Reality was that more often than not the security element was not available. A very good friend of mine (I was a scout in the Scout/Sniper platoon) brought a Beretta M9 with him and carried it. Can't say I blame him. A 5 shot bolt gun is worthless when gaining entry into a building. Ultimately, his immediate command turned a blind eye but eventually higher ups found out. All that saved his career was his Ranger tab...So basically, be VERY, VERY careful!