When it comes to military experience, the FN M4 Carbine has a long resume. During the Global War on Terror (GWOT), these carbines have been the standard equipment for U.S. soldiers deployed overseas – myself included. 

I have put together a GWOT package based on my personal time in the Army and serving in Afghanistan. Let's take a look.

Background

Known for producing high-quality firearms used by military and law enforcement agencies around the globe, FN’s reputation for excellence is second to none. From helicopter gun pods to mainstay belt-fed machine guns for the U.S. government, FN can make most anything related to firearms. 

One of the company’s standout offerings is the FN M4 Carbine, a versatile and reliable weapon platform that has become an icon in the world of firearms. It wasn’t originally designed by FN – those bragging rights belong to Eugene Stoner and Colt after him for advancing the design. 
 

What FN does deserve credit for, though, is its ability to answer the call of the U.S. government. FN wasn’t responsible for all M4 carbines used during the GWOT by any stretch of the imagination, but by the 2010s it was pumping them out in massive quantities, and it was common to see an FN M4 in the hands of your average infantryman. 
 

Built to be Rugged

During my time in the Army, I saw and used a wide variety of optics. Almost all red dots were made by Aimpoint. EOTech made the holographic sights, and the average magnified optics (not including scopes used by marksmen or snipers) were either made by Elcan or Trijicon. You can argue that Elcan or Aimpoint make a superior product, and there is a case to be made there. 

But when you think of an American soldier or Marine fighting in the Middle East, nothing is more iconic than a ground pounder in their desert cammies or ACUs/Multicams with an M4 Carbine in their hands and a Trijicon ACOG on top of it. ACOGs are widely considered phenomenal combat optics, and for good reason. 
 

Why ACOG?

First of all, the ACOG is remarkably robust, and I mean ROBUST. Scratches, drops, dings, bumps, etc. basically have no noticeable effect on your optic. ACOGs hold zero incredibly well, even in the harshest terrain.

Pair robust reliability with impeccably clear glass and a surprisingly easy-to-use chevron reticle, and you’ve got the makings of a world-class optic. Trijicon had one more trick up its sleeve, though: the impressively wide field of view (36.8 feet at 100 yards). 

The ability to see a large portion of the battlefield through a clear optic with an easy-to-operate reticle really did make the American fighter significantly deadlier. In fact, it has been said that more enemies of the United States have been killed by someone looking through an ACOG than any other optic. 
 

Capable Rifle

While the M4 Carbine manufactured by FN is fantastic, and the Trijicon ACOG will go down in history as one of the most legendary optics ever designed, they thrived and grew in popularity when paired together. 

For good reason, too! The light recoil of 5.56 in the Armalite platform paired with an ACOG allows for accurate kill shots out to 500 meters and quick yet effective follow-up shots. 
 

Conclusion

Bottom line: while the Global War on Terror is widely criticized by both sides of the aisle both for the disastrous withdrawal and the unnecessary length of the campaigns along with no clear objective to those on ground, no one can deny that FN’s M4 Carbine with Trijicon’s TA31RCO ACOG was a massive net positive for bringing more of our men and women home safe.