User Panel
Posted: 11/11/2002 11:08:29 AM EDT
Starting to look like we might be going. What do you guys think of this list so far? I don't want to get too much more on there, because it's gonna be a heavy fucking pack as it is...
Pics of loved ones Leatherman Shitload of socks Short wave radio – Maybe one with a hand crank charger??? Pocket Arab-English translator Camera Sunglasses Small flashlight Lip balm Extra cold wx gear Heavy duty Ziploc bags 550 cord Cooking stove – one that runs off diesel 3’x5’ American Flag Baby wipes Small Binos Muzzle caps – [b]Where can I get these???[/b] Chewing gum Small bible Quality fighting knife – USMC Ka-bar, of course Teflon based lube for weapon |
|
From the lists I'v eseen:
Extra lip balm Extra sunscreen weapons cleaning kits and patches Min-Mag BULBS!!- take an assload. Tom Clancey books Big can of whooop-ass |
|
Maybe substitue a minimag for a couple of small led lights and extra batteries. I agree, the mini-mags go through bulbs like crazy, but the LEDs go forever.
|
|
Quoted: Porn? View Quote Oh, of course - that goes without saying! Also- Where can I get muzzle caps??? What is a good teflon based lube? What is the best for the desert? Thanks. |
|
Sunglasses - don't go cheap and get some that offer peripheral protection. Make sure to get a good neck strap and a case and chammy. The sand will eat your shades up if not protected.
You can consider the baby wipes a disposable item. You'll use so many of them that anything you can carry will be gone pretty quick. Hopefully your supply will lay onto a good stock of these. |
|
A broom and dustpan to sweep up the little pile that's left!
|
|
MarineGrunt in regards to muzzle caps.
This is the ones we use at work. [url]http://www.caplugs.com/catalog/starpage.asp?series=58&seriesid=58&caplug=RCL-10&classid=122&command=search#specs[/url] RCL-10 is the stock #. It fits very snug on my colt sporter with the flash eliminator. You can only get them in quantities of 500 though. Good hunting and stay safe. |
|
water filtering straws
water purification tablets anti-diahreea tablets Remember, they don't have sewers in many places and you may have to drink from where the camels do. |
|
Quoted: MarineGrunt in regards to muzzle caps. This is the ones we use at work. [url]http://www.caplugs.com/catalog/starpage.asp?series=58&seriesid=58&caplug=RCL-10&classid=122&command=search#specs[/url] RCL-10 is the stock #. It fits very snug on my colt sporter with the flash eliminator. You can only get them in quantities of 500 though. Good hunting and stay safe. View Quote So these should fit the M16A2 ok? |
|
[img]http://www.colt.com/colt/assets/images/a2f9_ar15_a3tact.gif[/img]
My flash eliminator is like this one. It is the same as the Canadian Forces C7 so I would imagine it is the same as the M16. |
|
Quoted: Prophalactics? View Quote I told him..... [b][size=6][red]CONDOMS!!!!![/red][/size=6][/b] Scott |
|
Striker - I called them and got a quote. You can only get the muzzle caps in black if you order 10,000 of them @ $38 per 1,000. I'm not about to buy them for the whole batallion!
Anyone else know where you can get them? DScottHewitt- If I were to get the muzzle caps, what other valuable uses would the rubbers have? (besides the obvious) |
|
Dunno if this has been mentioned, in either this thread or the previous one but:
A sewing kit, with a range of needles (small to fairly large upholstery-style, both straight and curved) and some dental floss, waxed, unflavored in addition to a spool ot two of thread. Can use floss to fix ALOT of things you wouldnt think could be sewed by hand, like leather boots/shoes, nylon webbing, etc. |
|
Muzzle caps.
[url]http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi[/url] Put muzzle cap or guard in quick search box. Sinclair 260-493-1858 Powdered drink mix like koolaide or Gatorade. ARH |
|
Not sure about reserve units, but in active units muzzle caps are issue items.
I would personally skip the K-Bar, I prefer a slightly heavier blade, but that is me. |
|
I've looked all over and I can't seem to find a gas stove that runs off diesel (which will be most available to me). Does anyone know if they really exist???
|
|
The MSR Whisperlite International will run off just about every type of liquid fuel: coleman, kerosene, gas, jet fuel. It comes with several needles to allow for different fuel densities...
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=583&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1 It doesn't specifically state diesel, but if it takes kerosene... |
|
Quoted: I've looked all over and I can't seem to find a gas stove that runs off diesel (which will be most available to me). Does anyone know if they really exist??? View Quote MarineGrunt, As stated earlier the MSR Whisperlite International is the stove to get. I've had mine for three years and its been bulletproof. It will burn any type of fuel including diesel. Here's a link for the stove: [url]http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=13953[/url] Depending on how you see things, there are some minor drawbacks to the stove. First, it has a separate fuel bottle as opposed to an integral one. Personally, I prefer it that way as I can tailor the size of the fuel bottle to the mission at hand (short patrol=small bottle, long patrol=larger bottle) Second, due to the design of the stove, it does not easily support the standard USGI canteen cup. The cup tends to fall off the stove. You will need to buy a separate item, an MSR espresso star, in order to properly support a canteen cup or other small cup. Here's a link to the star: [url]http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=5760527[/url] Hope this helps....I too am busy squirreling away all the snivel gear I'll need in preparation for a desert deployment...What fun.. |
|
I use to have a MSR whisper lite back-packing stove, I use it for almost a dozen years, its very light and pretty good other than 2 draw back, the first was the previously mentioned inability to use canteen cups. The second was the jet got clogged quite a bit, I had to use that little cleaning needle too often when I had it. I eventually gave it to one of my Corpsmen when I got a Primus multi-fuel. I think the MSRs have solved that problem though with the intro of their “Shaker Jet.” The Primus has the same drawback about canteen cups and but I haven’t had to clean the jet on it yet. Also it has the advantage of being able to use the Butane/ISO Butane/Butane-Propane cartridges that are common outside the US. Unfortunately it cannot use the standard propane that you find in the US.
Campmor is a good place to get allot of the high speed type gear that pack-backers use, they have some really good cold weather gear. |
|
STLRN - You mentioned before that brining your own sidearm on deployment is a no-no. A LOT of Marines in my company have been talking about doing this. Is this against the UCMJ? What will happen if you get caught???
|
|
disposable lighter
compass survival blanket Godspeed MarineGrunt You bring our prayers with you. |
|
Technically it is not against the UCMJ, however there are standing orders in all Unified Commands that personal firearms are prohibited, some unit go as far as limiting the length of or banning personally owned fixed blade knives also. If you get caught with a firearm you can be charged with Violation of Art 92, violation of a lawful order. I know of several people that went to the gulf with pistols, a couple got letters of reprimand, 1 (an activated reservist) got relieved. Several didn't get caught and ended up burying them prior to leaving. You better believe you and all your gear will get a serious inspection on your way back to ensure your not taking UXO or captured weapons home. My personal opinion is not to bring it. Since you cannot carry it in the open and I would have to tell them to hide it in the bottom of the sea bag and bury it before they leave.
|
|
Quoted: The second was the jet got clogged quite a bit, I had to use that little cleaning needle too often when I had it. I eventually gave it to one of my Corpsmen when I got a Primus multi-fuel. I think the MSRs have solved that problem though with the intro of their “Shaker Jet.” View Quote Yep, all the new MSR stoves should have the shaker valve. Basically you just have to shake the stove back a forth 2-3 times before you set it up, and the needle slides back and forth inside it's houseing, clearing all the built up carbon...works great! I've never had mine clog on me in 3+ years... As to firearms, our code of conduct briefs mention that if caught with a personal firearm, some less than scrupuolous countries (read: Iraq) could make far out claims about being a spy, etc because you're not using issued weapons. While quite a load of BS, crazier things have happened. Like mentioned before, I'd be more worried about bringing the weapon BACK into the US that getting it out there... |
|
I would advise you to not get to carried away with a lot of extra shit. I assume from your name you are a rifleman and won't have the benefit of a 5-ton or humvee to tote all that stuff for you.
However, there are a couple items that you will be able to use as barter tools in the field: cans of Copenhagen and LOTS of AAA batteries. After a few weeks in the field away from the exchange some of your buddies will be hit hard by the tobacco jones and all those electric shavers and Walkmans (Walkmen?) will run dry. AAA's and a few rolls of canned Copenhagen will be worth their weight in gold. |
|
Quoted: I would advise you to not get to carried away with a lot of extra shit. I assume from your name you are a rifleman and won't have the benefit of a 5-ton or humvee to tote all that stuff for you. View Quote That is one of the first things I thought of until someone brought up the point - if you need to lighten the load or don't need stuff, it can always be buried in the desert. I don't think Iraq has too many environmentalist wackos that will mind... |
|
drier lube (?Eezox, Militec)
trade goods - paperbacks, candy, batteries, cigars Desitin (you laugh now, but just wait...), Spendco Second Skin for burns (pricey, but good), topical antiseptic (eg Neosporin) if medical supplies will be scarce, small tweezers single-edge razor blades, duct tape (if it won't be around), small roll of thin wire agree about the sewing kit, dental floss, chapstick, (with sunblock), Bible, 550 cord Swiss Army knife - Leatherman is best for bigger tools, but SAK has better small tools (not vital if weight a problem) spare sunglasses if you're taking a shortwave, might think about a small solar recharger and rechargeable batteries, rather than crank radio (cranks break, the radios that use cranks typically have mediocre selectivity and reception); can use same batteries for walkman etc etc; get something that uses earbuds(quiet, better battery life); recharger a little fragile, but no shortage of sunlight... re small flashlight, i'd suggest one of the little single-bulb LED lights (Photon, Nova); harder to find replacement batteries, but much longer battery life, lightweight; come in red light to preserve night vision treat - something special to save for when you're desperate for something different to eat - for one guy it was a little can of mandarin orange segments, for another guy it was sardines in mustard sauce goggles, gloves, knee pads (depending on your circumstances) C130 Spectre gunship and our best wishes |
|
What about plastic bags held on with rubber band or duct tape instead of the muzzle cap?
|
|
A camera!?
I thought that was a real NONO. Ive seen plenty of personal pics taken in the gulf. but Ive heard that if you are captured there goes your film and whatever you may have taken pics of can be used by the enemy.. |
|
If you can't find (GOD Forbid) a can of "come home safe", At least find a can of "Take a Shit Load of 'em with ya!"
Take Waterproof/Cold weather stuff... Trust me on this. Oh. .. Don't forget some SOCKS!!! |
|
Quoted: If you can't find (GOD Forbid) a can of "come home safe", At least find a can of "Take a Shit Load of 'em with ya!" Take Waterproof/Cold weather stuff... Trust me on this. Oh. .. Don't forget some SOCKS!!! View Quote You think it's really necessary to bring water proofing stuff to the desert? |
|
Quoted: STLRN - You mentioned before that brining your own sidearm on deployment is a no-no. A LOT of Marines in my company have been talking about doing this. Is this against the UCMJ? What will happen if you get caught??? View Quote When my MP unit was being sent to the Gulf, they were told they could bring a personal 1911 (that is what we used at the time) if the soldier was part of the company's match shooting team. So the company formed a match shooting team, a lot of people went out and bought really nice 1911s and took them to the Gulf. On the second day of deployment, some colonel found a MP walking around with his ivory handled, tricked out 1911. The colonel got pissed and made them lock the 1911s up in the Vault and they could only take them out for official match practice, which everyone was so busy they never saw their pistols again until the end of deployment. |
|
When my MP unit was being sent to the Gulf, they were told they could bring a personal 1911 (that is what we used at the time) if the soldier was part of the company's match shooting team. So the company formed a match shooting team, a lot of people went out and bought really nice 1911s and took them to the Gulf. On the second day of deployment, some colonel found a MP walking around with his ivory handled, tricked out 1911. The colonel got pissed and made them lock the 1911s up in the Vault and they could only take them out for official match practice, which everyone was so busy they never saw their pistols again until the end of deployment. [/quote] Part of this is your own fault. You guys should have seen that one coming a mile away and had a little 'team meeting' and made sure some fool didn't show up with some damned BlingBling tricked out pimpy looking pistol. IE the 'team' should have gone with parkerized stock looking pistols that looked like they were issued. Had they looked 'issued', nobody would have said anything. Some officers resent the troops having anything that's nicer than theirs. Trust me on this one. 30 years ago I was an armorer and made a pretty good match pistol for a senior NCO. The BnCO got wind of it and I played hell scrounging the parts to install on his piece to keep him happy. The part that really frosted my ass is that the NCO supplied most of his own parts. I finally managed to make the colonel's pistol 'look cool' even though it wouldn't shoot for asour apples. |
|
When most units deploy, they are authorized so much embark space, this is normally defined by how many quad-cons (Quadruple Containers) your allowed to bring and if your allowed to mobile load your vehicles. Most units allocate so many quad-cons to put sea bags-sundry packs into. The reason for this is your always told to deploy with X amount of gear, but in reality you cannot pack it all into a pack, so you end up packing allot of your gear into your sea bag and that ends up in a quad-con. How long you are separated from your gear really depends on METT-T, how proactive your BN S4 and how much lift capability your unit has. Often you will see certain nice to have items consolidated in the units' vehicles. In a rifle company that means its one-two humvees are loaded with those items, But since those humvees are also used for all the AD-LOG functions of that unit, it only gives them limited room.
The issue of personal weapons, is an interesting one. I honestly think that there are allot people authorizing things that they are not allowed to authorize. As it stands since Unified Commands (4 Stars) are making the prohibition via General Order, it would require someone higher to authorize it. So that mean don't count on being allowed to care one legally. Now a battery of company commander may still say you can do it, but if you do and someone says something, you won't have a leg to stand on in your defense, and the unknowing person that said you could, is also culpable. On the issue of non-standard gear. What I have told my guys is I would rather have them spend their money on gear to make their life better in the field, instead of spending it on “Suzy” at the Driftwood. There is a certain limit to that, as long as it makes sense and as long as its not illegal. If one my guys wants to carry a samurai sword, probably not going to happen. But if they wanted to buy a scope or something like that or a slightly better pack, that is fine. |
|
Even though you are in the desert, make sure you have something warm to wear at night, and something to protect you from the sun during the day, ie., Sunblock. Also, get someone back CONUS to send you a toilet paper care package from time to time. After scraping off a layer or two of skin with the USGI toilet paper, its nice to be able to wipe, without your toilet paper looking like a maxipad
WAS |
|
Quoted: I honestly think that there are allot people authorizing things that they are not allowed to authorize. View Quote It's gotta be those "they" motherf#$@ers. Any time something gets jacked up, it's always "they told me blah blah blah." Example: Me: "Who told you to take off your MILES gear on the DZ?" New Guy: "They did." Me: AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH! Just who the hell are these "they" jackasses? Anyone know what rank "they" is? The military would be 100% better if we could track down "they" and beat their asses. |
|
I know what your saying, I have had quite a few BN COs who would never allow you to use the term they in a briefing. In this case, the "They" are the people who obviously didn't know what they could and couldn't authorize and told people that they could bring things that they couldn't.
|
|
Quoted: I've looked all over and I can't seem to find a gas stove that runs off diesel (which will be most available to me). Does anyone know if they really exist??? View Quote The Seva 123 runs on everything, gas, white gas, diesel, alcohol, perfume, kerosene, if it burns the Seva 123 will run on it, I've got one that had been thru 'Nam. |
|
Quoted: Also, get someone back CONUS to send you a toilet paper care package from time to time. View Quote This would be a good thing for AR15.com to do for our AR15.com comrads, kinda adopt a soldier thing, put together a list of addresses & a list of stuff for care packages and send stuff on a regular basis to make their lives a little more liveable when the time comes. It would take a little coordinatation to make it work. Thoughts? Ideas? |
|
Mag Lights are OK but are Heavy, Chew through batteries fast and blow out bulbs quick.
If youw want the best light available, get a Petzel Tikka. Has three LED's for light source, runs on two or three AAA batteries and has about 140 lifespan on the batteries. Oh and it straps on your head and is so light you forget it's there. I've used one extensively for the last three hunting seasons, hiking in and out every day and haven't replace the batteries yet...... As for the other stuff, others have better advice, but for the light, get a petzal tikka. And if not a tikka, stay with the LED lights, they last so much longer. Crash. |
|
LED headlight
ZIP TIES (Black plastic and long) are cheap and light. If you have Duct tape,Zip ties and a leatherman you can fix just about anything. Quality fighting knife – Get one that has a full tang. [b]http://www.ka-bar.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.cgi?product_id=170&cat=22[/b] [img]http://www.kabar.com/products/images/170.jpg[/img]Unless the newer once are different the tang on the USMC Ka-bar gets really thin right past the guard. [img]http://www.kabar.com/products/images/182.jpg[/img]I know because I snapped on about 15 years ago. |
|
Quoted: Where can I get muzzle caps??? Thanks. View Quote MG, email me your addy and I'll send ya what I have left (four or five?). |
|
[url]http://www.ccrane.com/freeplay_summit_in_am_fm_index.asp[/url]
Here is a little SW radio with crank, solar charger for batteries, etc., and small: This is the first dynamo, solar, digital travel radio made. It stores power in its built-in rechargeable battery pack. The Small buttons run all the operations on this advanced, AM/FM/LW radio with a SW coverage of 5.9 to 15.6 MHz. Feature-packed, compact design makes it ideal for a global trek or a trip to the beach. Features snooze alarm clock and 30 station presets. Includes short wave antenna, carry pouch, and world travel power adapters. Weight: 1.3 lbs. Size: 6.8" W x 3.5" H x 3.1" D. [img]http://www.ccrane.com/images/freeplay_summit.gif[/img] [img]http://www.ccrane.com/images/freeplay_summit_crank.gif[/img] Item #FRS ....................................... $99.95 (did say, out of stock until 11/29) |
|
Quoted: Part of this is your own fault. You guys should have seen that one coming a mile away and had a little 'team meeting' and made sure some fool didn't show up with some damned BlingBling tricked out pimpy looking pistol. IE the 'team' should have gone with parkerized stock looking pistols that looked like they were issued. Had they looked 'issued', nobody would have said anything. View Quote I knew it was our fault, it's always one asshole who doesn't think and ruins it for everybody. He should have known better than to use that pistol. |
|
HELL YES!!! Take some waterproof stuff. I thought "Why would i need cold weather/waterproof stuff in the desert?"
It Rained all the time in the winter months, and it was cold as hell at night. turns out that I didn't get my second bag of gear till summer. People will look at you like your crazy. But they are the ones who will be cold and wet. Not you. I wish i could post pictures. ( to lazy to figure out how) I'll work on it EDITED TO ADD: I ended up wearing my MOP suit to stay warm, and some times would take my sleeping bag to the fox hole (when it wasn't raining). So to sum up. TAKE COLD WEATHER/WATERPROOF GEAR!!! YOU WILL THANK ME WHEN YOU COME HOME!! |
|
Bring a couple pair of sunglasses and also pick up some of those clear plastic adhesive covers that people use on PDA screens. Put them on your sunglass lens so blowing sand and dirt doesn't screw them up too bad.
Oh yeah, [b]BUG REPELLANT[/b], you don't want spiders hatching eggs in your face, do you? Also comes in handy around those pesky muslims when they have the halo of flies over their heads. |
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.