[Conny]

I was assigned with the 3rd US Infantry, "The Old Guard", in Washington, DC doing ceremonies for military and civilian organizations. I was a Color Team Sgt.
The major problem with any new weapon is the magazine well. It doesn't sit in the shoulder socket correctly so it looks shoddy when performing the manual-at-arms. The M16 is a short weapon. To be in the Old Guard, you must be over 6'3" and with the M16 at order-arms, the stretch was excessive. The Company used the M14 and as Color Team Sgt. during presentations, my guards used the 75cal. British Brown Bess. Yes, I wore the colonial uniform for my 2 year assignment.