An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | June 11, 2024

NC Guard Unit Tests NextGen Squad Weapons

By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. – Soldiers assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team conducted the qualification table of the Integrated Training Weapons Strategy using the newly fielded Next Generation Squad Weapon Rifle, XM7, and the Next Generation Squad Weapon Automatic Rifle, XM250, June 6.

The 30th ABCT is a major subordinate command under the North Carolina National Guard and was selected to be the first National Guard unit to field test the XM7 and XM250, which are replacing the M4/M4A1 carbine and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

“This is great,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Grayson, an infantryman assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 252nd Armored Regiment. “We are the second unit in the Army to be fielding these weapons systems.“

In 2020, Army senior leaders approved the regionally aligned readiness and modernization model to enable integration and synchronization of force employment and modernization of the force without sacrificing readiness across the Total Army. Equipment fielding allows service members to train on new equipment and incorporate different experience levels to enhance combat rigor and training understanding.

“It’s really squad integration at that point,” said Grayson. “If you are having someone at each rank that is training on it, then you have every aspect of a rifle company or a mechanized company and someone at each rank that knows what’s going on. I think for us that is working pretty well.”

The XM7 is a modular, piston-driven, select-fire, magazine-fed, 6.8 mm rifle. The XM250 is a lightweight, belt-fed, light machine gun with a collapsible buttstock. Both weapons come with a quick-detach suppressor optimized to reduce sound, visible flash signature and close combat force.

“At my level, it’s a great step having that ability to penetrate Level 4 plates and defeat some of our adversaries’ armor when necessary,” said Grayson. “It’s definitely a necessity going forward.”

“Weapon advancements such as the NGSW ensures that units under our command have the best weapons possible,” said Col. Paul Hollenack, 30th ABCT commander. “The fielding of the XM7 and XM250 is a step in making sure that we are doing just that.”

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the Adjutant General of North Carolina and His Excellency Mpho Churchill O. Mophuting, the Republic of Botswana’s Ambassador to the United States, greet each other during an official state visit to the Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 22, 2025. The visit was part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program and allowed leaders from both Botswana and North Carolina to discuss future engagement opportunities.
North Carolina Guard Creating Shared Experiences
By Paul Agada, | July 14, 2025
RALEIGH, N.C. – What does the Republic of Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, have in common with North Carolina, an American state bordered by the Atlantic Ocean? Initially, one may find very little in common...

Crew members from the 1-130th Attack Battalion, North Carolina Army National Guard, support a static display during the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 14, 2025. The event honors 250 years of Army history and service to the nation.
North Carolina Guard Flies into Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration
By 2nd Lt. Bridget Pittman-Blackwell, | June 16, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The heart of Washington, D.C., became a landing zone June 14 when an AH-64E Apache helicopter touched down on the National Mall. It wasn’t a combat mission, but it was one just as powerful in symbolism. As...

The Republic of Zambia's Brig. Gen. Choonga Mutandalike speaks to senior leaders from the North Carolina National Guard, representatives from the Republics of Moldova, Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia at a hurricane response symposium in Raleigh, N.C. April 22, 2025. The symposium was part of a six-day event hosted by the National Guard’s State Partnership program, reviewing and sharing lessons learned from Hurricane Helene.
North Carolina Guard Welcomes SPP Partners to Hurricane Response Exercise
By Lt. Col. Ellis Parks, | April 25, 2025
RALEIGH, N.C. – Senior leaders from the North Carolina National Guard are hosting representatives from Moldova, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia this week for a hurricane response exercise. The six-day event, from April 21-26 in...