OK this is a question I’ve had since I was in the USAF. What’s up with the Army naming nomenclature?
M2 is halftrack, but it can have a M2 mounted on it and it turns into a M2A1. M2A1 is now a Bradly IFV but M2A1 is also the designation of a 105 howitzer…
M1A1 is the Abrams, M1A was a rifle.
M16 is a automatic rifle and a Halftrack.
I’m so confused!!
Because it is a bureaucracy. Different organizations and companies develop the equipment and continue to refine and improve the equipment.
For instance, when the “Tank, Medium” was being developed, they started with a couple of companies developing competing designs. One company’s Medium Tank was designated T1 and the other company’s tank was the T2. The T2 is the medium tank that wins and gets put into production as the M2 Medium Tank.
Not entirely satisfied with the prototype M2, the Army orders modifications to be made before the tank goes into production. The production version becomes the M2A1. Later, development of better engines and lack of the original engine due to wartime shortages makes the manufacturer have to develop versions of tank with additional changes. These become the M2A2 and M2A3.
Now apply this situation to development of a rifle, half-track, howitzer, etc. and you see how there ends up being several items with similar nomenclatures.
Got it, makes sense now.
So you really can’t go on calling something M2A1 and knowing what exactly it is. M2A1 is currently and historically a number if different items.
As long as you say halftrack or tank after the M2A1…no problem.
In the 1 to 1 scale world it is usally not a problem since there is usually only one current “item” with the designation. If, as we are here, encompassing all of history, then you need to add more information.
Rounds Complete!!
Add to it that the Army puts the description of major end items in front of the M-number. For instance the duece & 1/2 reads, Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6, M-35A2 as the Official nomenclature…
One designation has never changed, Soldier, Hard Core, 2x2 M1 !!! They have not yet found a way to replace or improve it!
Rounds Complete!!
We often have items with the same nomenclature in use at the same time, but when you work with the equipment, you learn to recognize the nomenclature when used in context.
For example, if I had told a soldier to go get the M60, he would come back with a machine gun. If I told him to get on the M60, he would have climbed on the tank.
An M9 is a 9mm pistol, a combat earthmover and a tank mounted dozer blade.
An M2 could have meant the original Bradley IFV or the .50 cal machine gun, but two soldiers talking about the M2 would know which one the other was talking about.
Sort of like in sports, mention the name Cardinals and you find folks thinking about the pro football team, Major League Baseball team, U of L’s sports team, a bird or a clergyman. But two bird watchers, a priest or sports fans would know what the other was talking about without having to specify.
Rob
I was trying to get there with my post but you explained it very well. Nice catch. If you live it you know it!
Rounds Complete!!
Very good explanations, as always. Now, Redleg, why don’t you educate those who don’t know about why arty guys are “redlegs”? Goes back in time a bit more than last century, huh? [;)]
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“Redleg” comes from the red stripe worn on the trousers of the earlier centuries’ US Army artillerymen. Colors for the Army were specific by branch, Blue for the Infantry, Red for Artillery, Yellow for Cavalry…
Also, red canvas leggings were worn by horse artillerymen in the early 1800s.
Got to worry 'bout you Army guys. Different colors? Oh come on don’t you all have the same objective?
See us Jarheads learned the KISS principle early on. A tank is a tank, a truck is a truck, a rifle’s a weapon.
We did however designate aircraft differently…
Marine points and exclaims “Uh Uh, grunt, Ooohhh plane, grunt”
Oh no…I see where this could lead, lol!!
Hey, we’re all on the same side. We all have had to suffer 2nd "louies’! So let’s not get into a service branch contest!! Instead, let’s pick on 2nd Lt’s!!
No, we should stick to the original topic. Darn…
[:)] 60
Thanks to the rest of the gun crew for jumping in on that IS mission.
Now every (yes G even the Jarheads) are digital. The only chance you have today to be a true redleg is in the colder weather with those nice red long underware. [:O]
The artillery is the king of battle. How many other branches of the military even have their own patron saint!!! Good stuff
Rounds Complete!!
Ahh, the St. Barbara’s Day Artillery Punch…
The U.S. Army- 200+ years of tradition unhampered by progress…[8-]
Although there are things there I would have done differently in hindsight, I would not trade my time there for anything else.
We can say what we will, but I cherish the memories of my time in the Corps.
Yep. Good, bad, ugly. I am better, in MOST ways, for it. Army.
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Just so ya know, everything I rag on the other Branches about is in fun and out of camaraderie…
And covered under the Interservice Rivalry Act of 1947…[:D]
I know, brother! Proud to have served, proud of all who did/have/are!!
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