Posted: 7/26/2006 9:53:57 AM EDT
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In a few short weeks I'm headed for Kuwait, then Iraq. I have a rich supply of hygein stuff, but what else have people here found to be useful in the first few weeks, or good to keep at all times? I'm going with a few experienced people, but their mileage may vary from mine. Any ideas are welcome, Thanks! |
| A friend of mine got back from the sandbox not too long ago, and was always requesting massive quantities of Kool-Aid mix ... Apparently with all the water you have to drink (and the fact that the water over there tastes like it ran off a dog's back) a little flavor makes all the difference. |
| White socks, shoelaces, baby wipes (x10), an old-fashioned shave brush (has many, many uses), eye drops, 1/2 inch black rubber bands (commando-bands), batteries (assortment), boresnake, toothpicks, safety pins, 2nd set boot inserts (insoles), a good knife, hand sanitizer, 2 decks playing cards (the other will get stolen), and not too many pictures from back home. |
I've read some good AARs on Militec-1. I'm not familiar with the Graphite lube, so I can't comment. |
Uhhh... all the chow halls I saw in 2005 had huge boxes of Crystal Light drink mix packets free for the taking. That worked for me. |
If you like that pussy ass "sugar free" crap, then yeah....it works. The PX has Koolaid and Tang. 
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Best thing to do is sent yourself a care package of stuff you want so you don't have to carry all that crap with you in your bags. 1. Underarmor everything shirts one long and a few short, socks. The hood, shorts. It does get cold there. 2. Oakley sunglasses one lens in dark non reflective and one clear its also nice to have the amber ones. 3. Gloves not the cheap ones they issue you but a nice pair like the Oakley ones or ones that have some thing that if you have to punch something it will hurt it not you. Your going to be over there when its cold so get some warm gloves also. 4. If you carry a pistol get a nice drop holster and a belt so you can take the pistol on and off without having to take your trouser belt off. 5. Ipod or some kind of MP3 player also a DVD player you can get movies there on DVD that are just out in the movie theater. 6. Calling cards get the ones from Sam or whatever has the most min's on it. 7. Good pair of boots!! If for any reason you don't like the pair they issue to you go out and buy some Oakley ones are really nice and Danner. If you are thinking of getting Oakley's give them a call you can get lenses for about $20 and the boots for $100 they cost $200 out here and the gloves for around $30 I think. Don't wear black socks unless you like to have feet problems. DON"T TRUST ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT AN AMERICAN!!! If you have a weird feeling about something go with that feeling. Mostly never go anywhere without a battle buddy. Stay safe. Remember also you want to come home to see your family,girlfriend or your Buddy's so do whatever you have to do to make sure that happens!! If you kill someone just remember they where trying to make sure you did not come home. Good luck and God speed!! |
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Otis Tactical gun cleaning kit,bore snake,lots'O gun cleaning stuff, baby wipes,good pair of tact goggles,definatley a quality blade,quality boots,duct and electrical tapeand copenhagen snuff as a barter item! depending on which rifle you draw from supply you might want an optic thats non issue! |
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Tacked in the Deployed! forum... Lessons Learned from deployment--what works--Sustain/Improve |
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The baby wipes rule!!! You could never have enough of them. Get yourself a copy of the US Cavalry and Brigade Quartermaster catalogs; they'll come in handy in the sandbox for ordering all the stuff you don't get issues. Also, take plenty of pictures, so a good digital camera will be a good investment along with moisture-wicking shirts (a la UnderArmor), white socks, some lycra biker shorts (chaffing can be a mother), a good cleaning kit that includes a bore-snake, a barber's shaving brush, a couple of paint brushes and some quality lubricant. Good luck out there and keep yoru head down. |
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Everything you need will be given to you. Seriously don't waste any money on military shit, anything that you realize you need get after you get there, have one of your friends mail it to you. They are going to give you so much shit you won't believe it. It's good to carry as little as possable. Take shit that you can waste time with, a PSP with some games would be have been KICKASS, do yourself a favor and by an MP3 CD player, they play CDs burned full of MP3s and also regular CDs. They Rock. We got a lot of this: "The plane will be here in 4 hours, standby." No problem, bust out that CD player and fall asleep, or kill some bitches on your PSP. |
This is all nice stuff to have, but you will be able to get it everywhere, don't sweat it now. |
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OK, I'm involved in working directly with the enemy in close proximity for long sessions. I want a good backup knife, what would you recommend? I was thinking of a double edged fixed blade like a SOG Pentagon. Any thoughts? I've got the boresnake (priceless). I think I'll buy Militec. Where should I get it? Thanks! |
Bayonet. Bring 2 pairs of boots. Boots are/were hard to find. Have a 3rd pair at home in a care package ready to be mailed. CR123 lithiums, also were hard to find (in 05). CLP/Militec - makes no difference. Just maintain your weapon. Big o'plus 1 on not spending lots of money on stupid shit. Example. Why spend $300 on one knife when you can spend $100 on three knives. You'll lose shit or stuff will break, it's unavoidable - I don't care what anyone thinks about "high speed" stuff, spending more money doesn't make something better. . . . keep it simple. Get lots of pouches for your gear, extra clips and buckles too for repairs. Sewing kit. Tailor your gear for the mission. Or, find out what your unit SOP is for personal gear placement. That way, for example, if someone goes down you know where to find their med kit. If you don't have a SOP then create one - at the very least for your fire team/squad/platoon. Plan ahead for hot weather as well as cold weather. Being cold without the right gear is a bitch. Snivel gear. Bring whatever comfort items you can/want. There is no written rule that states that you have to suffer all the time. Mark all your gear. Unless you like shitty coffee have some staged and ready to be sent out in care packages. Small notebook to write important stuff down - good ball point pen (space pens are cool). Pencils are great and always work. Whenever possible do not try to reinvent the wheel. Somewhere somebody has been there and done that. Always ask around and you will find the answers you seek. OTOH, if something is fucked up . . . be proactive and fix it. Land navigation. Learn it. Know where you are and what direction you are looking at all times. Radios. Learn how to use them. Make contact with the unit you are falling in on. Get a SITREP. Find out what works and what doesn't work. Knowing your AO will help you prepare. |