As an RAF Enlisted Airman, in my day; our personal weapon was the L1A1 SLR (British version of the FN FAL Rifle in 7.62mm NATO.) We had good initial instruction and plenty of rounds in basic training. However, after that in my early career we had an annual GDT and only had around 40 rounds each. On Exercise we were lucky to get around 10 blanks to fire off.
Guard Duty was often carried out with an empty magazine until, enough IRA incidents persuaded the Senior Officers to allow us live ammunition. In later yaars, the late 80s prior to Guard Duty we got extra Range Time and plenty of rounds to play with at last.
Unfortunately, we never got access to any sidearms, they were for Officers only. SNCOs usually got the 9mm SMG.