I think it is a tragedy and pretty much sucks, but it does remind me of a similiar occurance when i was in the army. I'll set the scene: 1996 or 7, A co 2/35 INF I was probably a PFC at this point in the 60mm mortar section. I was the RTO and the company was going to conduct night ambushes, since we chucks weren't involved and the CO's RTO was on leave I got stuck with the captain and 1st Sergeant. The three platoons went to their separate areas and I got dropped off by helo with the "command group". We sat around and I enjoyed listening to the higher ranks bullshit a bit. For this exercise the supply SGT and his assistant would walk down the road and get ambushed. 2nd platoon was first up, we sat for a while waiting for the start time to come around. The three of us are sitting there and we hear the brrrt of a SAW, simultaneously we see tracers going into the air. The three of us sat there in silence until my dumb ass asked if there was a live fire that night. I think the the first sergant and CO were really just waiting to hear bad news because all they said was "no". Thank god the saw gunner was a shitty shot, the supply sgt and his assistant were not hit (this is maybe 25 meters or something?). Somehow when blank ammunition was handed out to an entire company-thousands of rounds, 1 live saw box made it into the mix and that one box made it into a weapon. We got issued the ammo after dark and I don't know how the SAW gunner missed that it was live by feel, but it goes to show shit happens. I try not too judge folks too hard, especially when when a death is involved. God knows I (like many of you) have done more than my fair share of stupid shit in my life.
