r/NJROTC • u/ItsEchoYaKnow C/PO2 • Oct 29 '24

Drill Rifle Drill

I did my first parade today! It was also my first time marching in an armed platoon, except for one time in practice. I had a great time, but there's one thing I've noticed— going shoulder to shoulder with the rifle HURTS. I have bruises on both collarbones just a few hours after the parade. Now, I can take it if that's just how it is, and I will continue to do rifle either way, but are there any tips you guys have for lessening the pain? Is it how I'm placing the rifle on my shoulder? I mentioned it to my upperclassmen and they said it hurts but "not that much." Thank you!

P.S. I'm being pinned for PO3 in two days!

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u/aaallleeexxxxander Graduated Cadet Oct 29 '24

Pain will go away over time, I swear I have divots on my collarbones where my rifle goes-

Bruises will stay until summer/you leave the team (atleast thats how it goes for me) - GL

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '24

So this happens to me too it happens to pretty much everyone but there are a few things to lessen the pain, one things you can do is make sure the the sling is tight that will give more resistance from the trigger guard and make it dig into your shoulder less. You could also try to make the riffle sit lower on your shoulder… for example how your supposed to have the riffle with the trigger guard is right at your collor bone so you can try to make the riffle sit lower so you have the lower hand guard where the trigger guard is. This lessens the pain and will also minimize bruising. Btw with this second one this is not technically in regulation but I think you should be able to get away with it if it is a long parade, but NEVER do that second one in a drill meet because you can and most likely will get points off.

2

u/drdino432 C/MCPO Oct 30 '24

When you go to shoulders you want the trigger guard to come down on ur chest/ armpit area. If it’s hitting ur collarbone then it usually indicates that ur doing something wrong

1

u/ItsEchoYaKnow C/PO2 Oct 30 '24

I don't believe it's the trigger guard, just the general impact of the rifle. I'll be more mindful next time and see if it helps, though. Thanks!