In the United States military, a rubber duck, "rubber ducky", "Blue Gun", or "Red Gun" is a non-functional training weapon that is fully or partially made of rubber or plastic. They usually resemble
M16 rifles or
M4 carbines and are commonly used in
basic training
Military recruit training, commonly known as basic training or boot camp, refers to the initial instruction of new military personnel. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process, which resocializes its subjects for the unique dema ...
.
Trainees are issued rubber ducks to add realism to training without the dangers and maintenance inherent to real firearms. Some
JROTC
The Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) is a Federal government of the United States, federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and also in some middle schools across the United States and at US mil ...
units also use rubber ducks during
physical training
Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations, and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physica ...
.
For example, rubber ducks are sometimes issued to troops before they have been properly trained to use actual rifles to become familiar with basic care, and responsible handling. Other times rubber ducks are issued as a time saver, where proper long-term care of a real firearm would distract from the main training focus, such as
tactical combat casualty care training, or
land navigation. Rubber ducks are also used where there is a disconnect between safety in the field versus in garrison. During bayonet drills, discharging a weapon against an opponent is to be avoided, whereas in the field discharging the weapon during a bayonet fight is often the goal. Additionally, in various ceremonial practices using a rifle capable of firing would serve no purpose.
Some rubber ducks are made by filling and coating an actual decommissioned M16 rifle with rubber or plastic. Some are also made using decommissioned rifle parts, with rubber or plastic used for the other parts. Still others are made entirely of rubber or plastic that has been molded to resemble both the exact shape and weight of a rifle.
Rubber duck use is being phased out in some areas of the US Armed Forces, namely in Air Force Basic Training. They were replaced with M16 replica
drill purpose rifle: metal models that resemble M16 rifles, including most internal parts, but that lack the ability to fire. The replicas allow soldiers to learn disassembly and reassembly of their rifles much earlier in their training.
Gallery
File:Ship's Serviceman secures spaces during security reaction force (SRF) training scenario.jpg, U.S. Navy sailor training with an M4 "Blue Gun"
File:USMC-110308-F-5938C-030.jpg, Glock training pistols
See also
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Drill purpose rifle
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Dummy round
A dummy round or drill round is a round that is completely inert, i.e., contains no primer, propellant, or explosive charge (filling). It is used to check weapon function, and for crew training. Dummy ammunition is distinct from "practice" am ...
*
Military dummy
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Modelguns
Modelguns (モデルガン) are Japanese replica or Toy weapon, toy guns which are usually made of zinc alloys or plastic materials. Most modelguns commonly available today are designed to highly replicate the physical appearance (some bear the a ...
References
{{reflist
Military equipment of the United States
Replicas
Inert firearms