25 years as an RN, 10 spent in charge of a hospital, including the ED. You've obviously never seen a soft tissue bullet wound. He'd be lucky to HAVE an ear.

 I've seen plenty, and I do think that round could leave that specific wound.  23 years as a military contractor, personally treated multiple soft-tissue wounds from multiple calibers.  Took a "graze" wound across my right calf from a 7.62.  22 years in an ED (non medical), personally viewed every GSW on record.  5.56x45 rounds typically do not create a damage channel or temporary cavity so to speak unless they perforate.  They will create lacerations, many veterans can attest to this by means of personal experience.  I think the real question is if the physical projectile has to make contact - I do not think it does based off our understanding of physics.  

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6507010/

https://whitemountainforensic.com/wound-ballistics-motion-effects-projectiles...
 

Also, the SS detail that was assigned to him that day was just fired, not for incompetence which was shown by their allowing him to grandstand, but for involvement in the photo op.

 According to SS deputy director Matt Quinn the disciplinary penalty ranged from 10 to 42 days of leave without pay or benefits. "The personnel were placed into restricted duty or roles with less operational responsibility upon their return."

 This is more in accordance with disciplinary action, where did you see they were fired?