Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Military

Congressman Hunter Told Navy SEALs Don't Have Enough Combat Rifles

A student in the third and final phase of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training is illuminated by a flare while shooting an M-4 automatic rifle on San Clemente Island, Calif.
U.S. Navy
A student in the third and final phase of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training is illuminated by a flare while shooting an M-4 automatic rifle on San Clemente Island, Calif.

The tip of the spear may be losing its edge.

Navy SEALs are telling a California congressman that they don't have enough combat rifles to go around, even as these highly trained forces are relied on more than ever for counterterrorism operations and other secretive missions.

Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine says after SEALs return from a deployment, their rifles are given to other commandos who are shipping out.

Advertisement

The SEALs say this weapons carousel undercuts the "train like you fight" ethos of the U.S. special operations forces.

Hunter is a former Marine who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hunter says he's been contacted by multiple SEALs.

Army Gen. Joseph Votel, top officer at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, says the complaints are being examined.