----- Original Message -----
From: Brad P. Giordani
To: Michael C. Schexnayder
Cc: Adams LtCol Richard C ; Michael J. Mulligan ; Kevin Hayes ; Lew Ashley ; Russ Logan
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 2:24 PM
Subject: ELBOW GREASE/Marine Corps News

Dear Michael,

This will be my last message to you.

The below two points are recommended by the Army.

1. Disassemble and elbow grease your weapon several times a day as required.
2. Use MilSpec CLP sparingly and try to keep sand/dust out of the weapon.
3. Do the above two points and your weapon should not jam

Please answer these real-world and common sense questions:

1. In addition to our troops not knowing when their weapons will jam how do you know when its safe to take the weapon apart to clean it during combat operations?
2. Should weapons be disassembled and cleaned during combat if they haven't been fired, or if they have not jammed? Or, should they be cleaned later after the troops are in a safe location?
3. How do our troops know when the fine sand is to much and the weapons require cleaning?
4. Should combat troops have to worry about their weapons jamming?

When MILITEC-1 is used, weapons do not come apart during the day (when they may be needed) and a little bit of air is all that is required to clean weapons, or you can simply wipe down the weapon with a dry rag at the end of the day, or when combat operations are finished. Pretty simple. No fear. No jammed weapons. The confidence level of our troops rise when weapon don't jam.

This is my last bit of advice so help me God; if you don't clean this up promptly, this will go to hearings and Col. Michael J. Smith will be the poster boy for Pelosi and you will be served. Someone will take responsibility for screwing our troops.

Please advise me one way or another if you are going to sit on this or do what is best for our troops.

Brad
www.militec-1.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Brad P. Giordani
To: Lew Ashley ; Michael C. Schexnayder
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 9:11 AM
Subject: Fw: Emailing: 0,13319,usmc2_113004.00

THE 'ELBOW GREASE' recommendation from Col. Michael J. Smith is now adopted by the Marines

Do you really believe "elbow grease" is the best lubricant for desert environments?

Brad

Marines Maintain Weapons Where it Matters the Most

FALLUJAH, Iraq - In a combat environment, pulling the trigger on your weapon when engaging the enemy and hearing only a click is something no Marine wishes to experience.

The Marines of 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, feel the same way. At every available opportunity they focus on the upkeep of their weapons.

"I go over the internal components around three times a day for 30 to 45 minutes each session more out of fear than anything else," said Cpl. Bryan Morales, 1st fire team, 1st squad team leader. "It's a worry of mine that it'll jam. I've all ready had two dreams where I was in a fire fight and it jammed, so that pushed me to clean it even more."

Members of 3rd platoon say the worst case scenario is if you're a point man in a building and you have a double-feed or jam when encountering insurgents. While they have drills for if that happens, nothing is full-proof.

"I stress to my fire team to makes sure it always good to go," said Morales. "They clean their weapon every time I do and so far no one's rifle has jammed."

Although the Marines of 3rd platoon clean their weapons various times throughout the day, dust from the desert environment tends to find its way into the tiniest of crevices.

"My weapon has to be spotless even though I know it'll get dirty a few minutes later," said Lance Cpl. Jorge Jerez, a squad automatic weapon gunner with 3rd Platoon. "In this environment even if you don't run around, dirt still seems drawn to it."

During Marine Corps recruit training, Marines are taught to clean weapons with a light coat of CLP (cleaner lubricant protectant) and some good ole fashion elbow grease, but each individual has their own routine of upkeep.

"For me, it always goes bolt, chamber, 203 breach, both trigger mechanisms and finally a quick brush down on everything else," said Morales. "I also pay particular attention to the magazine well because it could slip out if dirt gets up in there and then get inside."

For other Marines, their cleaning goes from the outside in.

"I go over the main body and spot check it, then the barrel, bolt and sights," said Jerez. "People count on me to lay down the heavy fire, so my weapon needs to be more than functional."

Because their mentality to keep their weapon clean was ingrained back in the rear long before their deployment, their command hasn't had to ask once for their Marines to touch up their equipment.

"Every Marine in Charlie Company is being proactive when it comes to maintaining weapons standards," said Gunnery Sgt. James Sanders, company gunnery sergeant. "They know there could be a mishap without proper maintenance. When they're off post they take care of their weapons first and then themselves."

Overall when the Marines of 3rd platoon are in Fallujah, getting a good night sleep, having a belly full of chow or being completely hydrated comes in a distant second to a clean weapon.

"All of the time I've spent cleaning my rifle probably amounts to a few weeks of my life, but for the situation were in now it's well worth it," said Morales. "Weapons maintenance over here is priority. It's on the same level as getting water and chow. That's what it boils down to."