Soldiers are trained on many weapon systems in basic training to include the M320 grenade launcher, a stand alone weapon modeled off of the M203 which attaches to the M4/M16 series rifles. The M320 fires a 40mm grenade which delivers massive damage at long range. Our hero, a Private with a personal security detachment, was issued the weapon for convoy operations.

During mission prep, said Private was doing a pre-mission inspection of the weapon inside the truck. The NCO (non-comisioned officer) in charge of the Private asked jokingly: "You know how to use that thing?" The Private replied: "Of course." A few minutes later, when everyone had jumped in the truck, there was a loud bang and a hissing noise from the Private's truck. Everyone in the truck quickly exited the vehicle covered in pink foam from the emergency fire system. The NCO in charge ran out and asked what the hell had happened.

It turned out that the Private, in his infinite wisdom, had pulled the trigger on the M320 INSIDE THE TRUCK. Fortunately, the safety mechanism (designed to turn off after 30m of flight) in the 40mm round was intact and the round had gone into the base of the vehicle. When asked why he pulled the trigger, the Private said: "I wanted to see if the safety worked." The safety on the weapon turned out to be turned off. Nobody was hurt.

Submitted on 04/06/2011

Submitted by: Ian
Reference: Personal Account, February 2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
"I wanted to see if X worked". Famous last words of a lot of DA contenders. Thanks, Ian!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Inside the *truck*!?! Thanks Ian!

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