A look at one of the staples of the military in this week's Military Monday.

No matter what the game, no matter what the reason or tactic, easily the most hated weapon is the Grenade Launcher. Called Noob Tubes and ignored in favor of weapons that take “skill,” those who use the grenade launcher are subject to endless complaints, ridicule and even outright banning on some servers.
Why is that? A Grenade Launcher is not a magical wrecking ball that destroys the opposition and wins the day for your team. Rather than a toy for the unskilled, in the right hands it is a deadly tool of precision.
In its purest since, a Grenade Launcher is simply a tool by which a Marine or Soldier is able to place a grenade on target with greater accuracy, velocity and at greater distance than by hand. Grenade Launchers were in the professional militaries of nations as early as the 16th Century. Resembling an overlarge musket with a bell shaped muzzle, these early launchers were more like small cannons and would have been extremely clumsy.
Fast forward to modern conflicts and current games, we have the M203 Grenade Launcher and of course, its counterpart, the Soviet designed GP-25. Both are attached grenade launchers, under slung on the barrel of many different weapons, most notably the M16 and AK-47 Service Rifles. Weighing approximately 3 pounds, the weapon is capable of placing rounds on target for area effect at just over 1300 feet, or greater than the distance of 4 football fields. It is capable of firing 5 to 7 rounds per minute, each travelling at a speed of 250 feet per second.
The round itself is generally a version of the High Explosive, or High Explosive Dual Purpose rounds, with an approximate casualty radius of 50 feet for both the Soviet and American models. It is designed to inflict casualties on groups of targets or for use against hard targets such as bunkers, doors, enemy emplacements and soft-skinned vehicles. Thicker armoured vehicles are not immune either, as the grenade is capable of penetrating up to 2 full inches of steel. Granted, most armoured vehicles have more than that, but not everywhere. It will take more than three of four shots from a grenade launcher to disable an armoured vehicle, but it's possible. Remember to keep moving though, those vehicles might move and target slowly, but if you stand there looking at it, you’re just begging to be fragged.
One of the chief complaints about grenade launchers is the so-called lack of skill. Perhaps the fact that it explodes and causes splash damage is just a bit beyond the comprehension of some people. Using the grenade launcher to take out the enemy is no different than using the thrown hand grenade. The effect will be the same. Is it aggravating? Yes, but that is why you should keep moving. As far as skill, the grenade launcher is an indirect fire weapon, you have to carefully judge where the round will land. Instead of pool, think golf. Granted, we don’t have things such as windage impeding us in game, but it is as far from a straight shot as you can get. Next time you think the grenade launcher is for unskilled noobs, watch someone plant one of those rounds through an open window.
To use the grenade launcher effectively in game, go beyond the thought of using it against personnel. Sure, it’s a great way to get your message across, but using it only on enemy forces is a complete waste. There are many obstacles and destructible points on various maps. While running to take the objective for instance; placing a shot from your grenade launcher can breach a certain wall on Shahikot Mountains Take it on the run, and the wall ceases to be an issue, allowing you to come right on through, if you’re lucky, you get a few of the bad guys as well.
Grenades also make excellent initiators for other explosions. Whether it was one of your own, or an enemy sniper that places a present for you under the tree, using a grenade launcher from a distance is one way to render the area safe or trigger the device as the bad guys approach. The real skill here is planting the round close enough to set off the charge, while far enough away as to create a daisy chain effect, making the lethal radius larger.
When used against enemy personnel, the grenade launcher is best deployed either entering, or defending a room. When approaching the bunker on Helmand Valley for instance, firing the grenade into the room is a great way to let the enemy know you care. If defending, the attackers usually swarm when the objective, and they all have to come through one of two entry points. Point your launcher between them and you cover both. Rather than wasting ammo by panic firing at the mob coming through, one grenade easily takes them out.
Next time you are in game, think about the grenade launcher, and when someone gripes, show them what skill is…
Rick GivensOffDutyGamers.com