I've read of GIs who were commando or ranger trained but served among regular units and didn't wear the tab. Were they just supernumerary and once the unit filled its quota they were shipped off to other units? BTW, just learned of one ranger trained soldier who learned to fire his SMG in short bursts. This kept the bullets on target. His sergeant made him stand on a box to do a demonstration for the platoon. He did as trained (sergant was unaware that he was ranger trained and he used short bursts and kept it all on target. The platoon was shocked and he asked if he could try it again. Handed a fresh magazine, he shot his initials into the target. No one messed with that damned yankee after that.
Burst fire is SOP for all automatic weapons, with crew served weapons it allows for barrel cooling and ammo discipline. With Thompsons, BAR's and grease guns, same-same, cooling and ammo management, in addition to control. The BAR even when fired from the prone with bipod would use 3-5 round bursts. A full auto mag dump is a Hollywood wet dream unless the bad guys are right on top of you and about to overrun your position. Otherwise, it's a sign of an untrained, or ill-trained individual. Propper technique was not limited to Ranger/Commando trained individuals.
Concur. To get a burst it's a matter of trigger control & I am able to get a 2 shot or 3 shot burst on a MP-5.
Reading Stabler's No One Ever Asked Me and Stabler was in the 2nd Armored Division and while in Sicily got picked up by the Rangers as radio man. No formal ranger training and they needed a radio man. After Anzio, author and other Rangers were transferred ot the First Special Service Force for Anvil/Dragoon.
