When I was at the rifle range in basic training at Amarillo Air Force Base, we were taken to the rifle range for qualifying on the M-16. During the time we were shooting, a 4-foot rattlesnake entered the range near the targets.

Our range instructor, a staff sergeant, grabbed the rifle of one of the trainees and proceeded to try to kill the snake. After 10 rounds were fired, the snake finally succumbed. Those of us there for training wondered how he ever got to be an instructor when he couldn't shoot straight.