lubrication
when my son was in kuwait first time he was stationed at ARIFJAN, a large U.S. base about 40 k's s.w. of the iraq border. when a re-supply convoy was going into iraq, personnel assigned would draw weapons from the armory to be carried while on the mission. these included vehicle mounted .30 and .50 cal. machine guns and individual m16's. upon return to the base the weapons were turned in to the armory where my son and 3 others would detail strip them, check for problems and re-lube them before they would then take to the range for function fire test. before they were turned back each soldier would field strip and clean. they were then held for re-issue. this was SOP even if they had not been fired. i don't know what oil or grease was used but will ask him over christmas holidays.
i imagine that troops in the field do not follow this regimen. this i believe would be a command problem. i think that daily field strip and lube is a given when your life depends on it. arms exposed to dust and sand storms which were common according to brad would have gunk in every nook and cranny.
he'll be going back by 1/31/04.