From: David L. Dunn - DLD Productions <david@d...>
Date: Fri, 06 Jul 2001 09:19:25 -0700
Subject: Re: Bail out
In my experience, as a tanker with 1/33rd Bn Ft. Lewis WA. Humans don't like being in something that is likely to blow-up. In the old M60A3 (just dated myself), we had ammo storage next to the driver, (about 10 rnds), a ready rack on the floor, (in front of the loader), and the honey combs in the turret bustle, (behind the loader), being the loader sux as one can tell! We had a training accident, where during a night engagemnet, one of the tanks on "over-watch", thought they had spotted a "pop-up" target and engaged it. Granted, we were using training APFSDS, but the round penetrated the turret rear of the tank that was returning to the start line, (the gun tube was aimed down range, hence the round scoring a turret rear hit!), and it (the round) bounced around inside before exiting the TC hatch, taking with it ,.......certain body parts from Lt Delgato, setting off the.50 cal. ammo stored in the TC coupula. All 4 of the occupants, either under their own power or someone elses, bailed. Out of 4 crewmen, only one escaped uninjured! He immediately treated the others for their wounds until medical help came. Yes. He got the Bronze Star. No. it wasn't me. IMO, if the troops are untrained/green, and the vehicle gets hit, regardless if it pens or not, they bail. If they are regulars, the vehicle gets hit, but not pen, supression. If it is a pen, Confidence test, suppression. If they fail, bail! Suppression. Vets, CO. Test if a pen. If they fail, suppression. 2nd hit, regardless of a pen or no pen, bail w/ suppression. Elites aren't stupid. They are worth more alive, than dead heroes. I'd apply the same as for Vets. I dunno. It just sounds more......yea...something.