# Calling it a non-combat death doesn't make it any better

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-it-a-non-combat-death-doesnt-make-it-any-better/566148>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [January 2, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-it-a-non-combat-death-doesnt-make-it-any-better/566148 "2011-01-02T17:50:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-it-a-non-combat-death-doesnt-make-it-any-better/566148/21 "2011-01-04T21:43:59Z")

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> [@Chessic\_Sense](#):
>
> So do you agree with this sentiment?:

Not as to “members of the Army.”

Certainly, as to Dick Cheney and Charlie McCarthy.

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**Author:** ![Cyningablod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-it-a-non-combat-death-doesnt-make-it-any-better/566148/22 "2011-01-05T05:39:50Z")

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> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> Perhaps someone who’s handled an M-4 could weigh in, but I’m pretty sure it’s physically impossible to shoot yourself in the head with one unless you have five-foot arms.

Nope, not remotely true. M4’s are very shortened versions of the older M16. We didn’t use M4’s when I was in the Army Infantry back in the early '90s, at least not widely (we generally used the M16A2), but you could shoot yourself in the head even with an M16A2. An M4 would make it downright _easy_.

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**Author:** ![Cyningablod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-it-a-non-combat-death-doesnt-make-it-any-better/566148/23 "2011-01-05T05:45:32Z")

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> [@Kobal2](#):
>
> Never seen _Full Metal Jacket_ ?

The weapon in _FMJ_ was neither an M4 nor an M16; it was, IIRC, an [M1 Garand](http://www.undeadreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/garand.jpg) (which would indeed be difficult to shoot oneself in the head with, as it’s a Big Stinkin’ Gun). At the time _FMJ_ is set (mid 1960’s), the Marines were using [M14](http://conspiracyx0.tripod.com/weapons3/M14.jpg)’s in combat in Vietnam (the M16 was introduced in 1967, IIRC). But in boot camp, they sometimes still used WWII- or Korean War-era M1 Garands.

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