Rifle
From USAFA Folklore
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[edit] M-1
Second through fourth class cadets carried the M-1 (Garand) rifle from 1955 to 1986. The Class of 1990 turned in their rifles as fourth class cadets. After the rifles were used by cadets to commit suicide (which required purchasing a firing pin - although at least one cadet shot himself with a target pistol in 1974) , they were "demilitarized" in the Spring of 1974, which added 1 pound to the rifle by filling the barrel with lead (total weight: 9.5lbs). While demilitarized rifles could not be loaded or fired, they could still be field stripped.
Basic cadets were challenged to field strip and reassemble their rifles blindfolded in less than 60 seconds. Basic cadets were also required to memorize the serial number and stock number on their rifle and to treat their rifle as their best friend.
Although cadets were required to carry their rifles through the bayonet Assault Course and throughout Jack's Valley, cadets were trained to sand and varnish the wooden stock of the rifle to an even shine and to clean and oil the rifle's internal mechanisms.
Rifles were used by cadets when marching tours. Additionally, the M-1 was required to be carried during In Ranks Inspections (IRI) and parades.
Rifles were used by basic cadets and doolies to perform the 16-count rifle manual while reciting Schofield's quote.
[edit] M-16
Rifles later returned to the Cadet Wing in [???] when rubber M-16 replicas were issued to cadets. These were known as "rubber duckies."
[edit] M-14
The replica M-16s were later replaced with demilitarized M-14 rifles.
[edit] Personal Accounts
On the C-130 flight from Denver to DC for Kennedy's inauguration, my M-1 rested on the floor under my canvas seat. The side facing the floor got thoroughly sanded white. I panicked and put shoe polish on it to bring some color back. "Luckily" our plane was one of those not permitted to land, so we returned to USAFA where I could refinish my rifle, SN 5763740; I will never forget, and it has been 46 years.
