Thanks for posting this. I started of in the Guard with the "slick 60." We were very pleased to get the oh so advanced M60A3 with it better targeting system and controls.
My Guard unit? 3/102nd AR- 50th AD, we still had M48A5 in 1988-89. Took away the .50BMG M85C Cupola, gave the TC an M60D. They were those goofy interim hull, had 3 return rollers instead of 5, so when I went into the Armory Motorpool the first time as a Mortar Maggot, I saw the 3, said "Aw, cool! "We" have M60s! I built a Tamiya 1/35 of one before" but was quickly corrected by the E6 "Naw, son, we still have '48s"
We used to do tours for grade schools and recruitment for high school kids, had the one of the two 48s inside the Armory, had the Gunner simulator going like a Nintendo, 4.2" M30 Mortar set up, and 19D Scouts had their M21 Sniper Rifles and ghillie suits. After the inside tour and slideshow with NJARNG pay and benefits, I would put on a Red Dawn camo coverall and sky blue beret, they would chase me around the yard in the 48 while I shot blanks at them with my Norinco .223 M84S underfolder AK, maybe throw a smoke grenade or artillery simulator at it, they would shoot Hoffman devices at me then detonate one on top of a dirt hill I hid behind, so I could die in a loud and grotesque military manner.