His M16 (aka King Leonidas)

I received an e-mail from Butters today. WOO HOO!! He told me that, this morning, they were issued practice M16s. They'll be undergoing Basic Rifle Marksmanship training this week. Here's a little history lesson on the M16 (per my favorite online reference source Wikipedia).

The M16 (more formally Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is the U.S. military designation for the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 rifle family has been the primary infantry rifle of the United States military since the 1960s. With its variants, it has been in use by 15 NATO countries, and is the most produced firearm in its caliber. The M16 entered U.S. Army service in 1964.

On a side note, I told him to name his M16, King Leonidas, for extra intimidation factor (not that the M16 needs it).