Which member of a machine gun team is armed with the service pistol?

The member of a machine gun team who is armed with the service pistol is typically the Squad Leader. The Squad Leader is responsible for the overall command and leadership of the squad, including the management of the machine gun team. They are often positioned in a role where having a sidearm is essential for their duties, providing them with a personal weapon for protection and command purposes, especially since they may need to move away from the main weapon system or engage with the enemy directly.

In contrast, the Gunner and Assistant Gunner are primarily focused on operating and maintaining the machine gun. Their tasks revolve around managing the gun, ammunition, and immediate tactical needs, so they typically use the machine gun as their primary weapon rather than being equipped with a service pistol. The Team Leader also typically focuses on coordinating the actions of the team and usage of the gun's firepower, rather than acting as the lone armed person in their role.