What should personnel do to ensure safety during the UNLOAD command?

Ensuring safety during the UNLOAD command is critical, and placing the weapon on safe is an essential step in this process. When the weapon is on safe, it prevents accidental discharges while handling or unloading the firearm. This action is a fundamental safety practice that minimizes the risk of injury to personnel and others nearby.

In the context of handling firearms, especially in a training or operational environment, maintaining control over the weapon's firing mechanism is crucial. This safeguard allows personnel to focus on the unloading procedure without the added concern of the weapon being accidentally fired.

While other steps, such as keeping the rifle pointed in a safe direction and inspecting the ejection port for any remaining cartridges, are important for overall firearm safety and operational readiness, they do not specifically address the direct action of ensuring the weapon is safe during handling and unloading. Similarly, checking the magazine capacity, while useful for operational checks, does not focus directly on the immediate safety during the unloading process. Thus, ensuring the weapon is on safe is the correct and most relevant response to the UNLOAD command's safety protocol.