Standard US soldier Equiment?

[LlON]

Search didn't come up with anything really useful...

Any way, to the point. I've always wondered what gear\equipment a standard American soldier carries in his vent and generally on him. Such as the required number of magazines, any type of first aid gear and anything else: knife\multi-tool, type of drinking device, etc. A detailed list would be great. Also, common gear which soldiers keep which is not mandatory.

Plus, do tankers carry anything extra\different than infantry?

Thanks.

P.S: sorry for the weird English. And no, I'm not an airsoft player (or whatever the term is), just an Israeli soldier interested in comparing between what the israeli soldier has as standard gear and the American.

[Rynnäkkökivääri]

Canteen/CamelBack for sure, I think the CamelBack though is just an approved piece of gear, I think the canteens are mandatory. In Gulf War 1 NBC suit and gas mask were standard, I think in the beginning of Gulf War 2 as well. 7 M16 mags are standard, although those are usually expanded upon. Helmet + OTV/IOTV. There's more, that's just off the top of my head.

[Beowulf]

I don't anticipate that this will go well.

[LimaOscarSierraTango]

Gear is mission specific.l.

[LlON]

Beowulf - Why is that?

By the way, is it true that soldiers do not pickup and reuse their magazines when emptied? or is it just a Israeli stigma about Americans :roll:

Plus, don't you carry any sort of binding gear for prisoners?


edit: Am i just asking the wrong people, or is the information i'm asking just "classified"? what am i missing?

[BrianT]

Yeah we just leave magazines all over the place like little litter bugs. You should see the range. It's covered in mags.:roll:

[LlON]

Yeah we just leave magazines all over the place like little litter bugs. You should see the range. It's covered in mags.:roll:

Well, I ain't talking about the range of course. But it is some sort of image there is about American soldiers, no offense of course

[BrianT]

Well, I ain't talking about the range of course. But it is some sort of image there is about American soldiers, no offense of courseIf you're talking about a real deal combat situation where I'm taking so much fire, that I'm firing off 30+ rounds, then yeah I'm probably not too worried about my mags. Why are Israeli soldiers running around making sure they save their mags during an intense firefight?

[LlON]

If you're talking about a real deal combat situation where I'm taking so much fire, that I'm firing off 30+ rounds, then yeah I'm probably not too worried about my mags. Why are Israeli soldiers running around making sure they save their mags during an intense firefight?

Well, no. But there is a great emphasis on saving and restoring any possible equipment, as it is both costly and there is no point in giving such a thing to your enemy to take later on.

[BrianT]

Americans have the exact attitude. My magazines are on the property books at supply and are signed over to me. When I leave the Army, I have to return 7 magazines back to supply. I'm not exactly dropping them like candy.

[dutch508]

Beowulf - Why is that?

By the way, is it true that soldiers do not pickup and reuse their magazines when emptied? or is it just a Israeli stigma about Americans :roll:

Plus, don't you carry any sort of binding gear for prisoners?


edit: Am i just asking the wrong people, or is the information i'm asking just "classified"? what am i missing?

What the f**k movie are you watching?

[Heazy]

SDS FLC vest 4x m4 double mag pouches, 2x 3 mag shingle pouch, IFAK, 2 canteen pouches, 2 frag pouches, 1 flashbang pouch is what I got at CIF. But i wear a tactical tailor MAV. It's all mission/role specific and depends on what your unit allows you to wear or basically how much molle webbing you got. :)
Camelbak is issued now and we can carry nalgene bottles in lieu of canteens. Knifes/multitools are usually self-bought. 7x mags is standard but i've got like 12.

[LimaOscarSierraTango]

4x m4 double mag pouches, 2x 3 mag shingle pouch... 7x mags is standard but i've got like 12.

So what goes in the empty pouch(es)?

[Heazy]

So what goes in the empty pouch(es)?

powerbars p-)

[LimaOscarSierraTango]

sweeet! melted powerbars! rofl


errrr..... sweet! Frozen powerbars....!

[Bohemoth]

No fun intended, but do U.S. soldiers, marines etc. use groin protectors?
I don't mean the groin cover of your IBA/OTV, but that t-back style thingy that you wear over your undies and has a hard plastic shell in the front to protect the soft body parts. :)

[BrianT]

I've never seen it. I'd be more concerned with getting shot in the groin then getting kicked in the groin. With that said, I still wouldn't wear those stupid ass groin protectors ever.

[LlON]

Are 7 magazines really needed? The normal Israeli soldier receives 'only' 4, thought most of us add more, yet it isn't mandatory.

Also, does each soldier carry grenades? And aren't any first aid kits carried? What about gloves (nomex, whatever)?

[Chops]

Are 7 magazines really needed? The normal Israeli soldier receives 'only' 4, thought most of us add more, yet it isn't mandatory.

Also, does each soldier carry grenades? And aren't any first aid kits carried? What about gloves (nomex, whatever)?

Dear God man, what do you think? Seriously? Obviously seven mags + are "really needed". And of course everyone carries grenades, ditto "first aid", ditto gloves.

Have you looked at an image of a US soldier or Marine since 2001 or are you trying to stir up some sort of Israeli grunt v US grunt pissing contest?

Back in your hole.

[LRPV]

Bit ordinary... I preferred "Christ on a bicycle".p-)

[LlON]

Dear God man, what do you think? Seriously? Obviously seven mags + are "really needed". And of course everyone carries grenades, ditto "first aid", ditto gloves.

Have you looked at an image of a US soldier or Marine since 2001 or are you trying to stir up some sort of Israeli grunt v US grunt pissing contest?

Back in your hole.

Thats the problem. I have looked at pictures, and it seems like every soldier does whatever the f*** he wants, one is with gloves, the second isn't, another is using X while the other is using Y, etc. seems like a big mess from the eyes of an outsider. Thats the reason I created this thread in the first place, to understand what is mandatory and what is just a fashion.

And no, I'm not trying to stir up anything. You guys are way to touchy :cantbeli:

[CombatBoots]

There are enough pictures on this forum to learn to know even the equipment of the common chalupapaganistani soldier. Look around, browse the Equipment & Gear section, have patience... You aren't one more of them "I'm too lazy to search" guys are you? Good luck.

[LaoSexMachine]

Thats the problem. I have looked at pictures, and it seems like every soldier does whatever the f*** he wants, one is with gloves, the second isn't, another is using X while the other is using Y, etc. seems like a big mess from the eyes of an outsider. Thats the reason I created this thread in the first place, to understand what is mandatory and what is just a fashion.

And no, I'm not trying to stir up anything. You guys are way to touchy :cantbeli:

I can say that about some pix of Israeli soldiers.

[LlON]

I can say that about some pix of Israeli soldiers.

Indeed, but as being one of them i can tell apart between the two and know what is actually required from them.

[LRPV]

Indeed, but as being one of them i can tell apart between the two and know what is actually required from them.

Well the seppos can tell this between each other two... Maybe re-phrase the question? If that gets no joy ask in Airsoft....they'll tell you...and more...p-)

[kongman]

Thats the problem. I have looked at pictures, and it seems like every soldier does whatever the f*** he wants, one is with gloves, the second isn't, another is using X while the other is using Y, etc. seems like a big mess from the eyes of an outsider. Thats the reason I created this thread in the first place, to understand what is mandatory and what is just a fashion.

And no, I'm not trying to stir up anything. You guys are way to touchy :cantbeli:


its not that they are touchy its just you get a gazzillion nubs ask this same question day after day and it gets a bit dull......i think most of the us servicemen get issued with the same gear but the modify it to there own uses or replace with better or different gear ..remb diff jobs require different gear the section MG man isnt going to use M4 mag pouches hes going to have saw pouches ......but then again some riflemen used the saw pouches cause ther bigger and hold more mags ......what do you mean by tankers ......guys that drive the big MBT, do have alot different gear to the guy that say drive the light armoured vehicles , well thats been my observation of the aussie guys ive seen

[ed316]

Are 7 magazines really needed? The normal Israeli soldier receives 'only' 4, thought most of us add more, yet it isn't mandatory.

Also, does each soldier carry grenades? And aren't any first aid kits carried? What about gloves (nomex, whatever)?


You sound like a know it all airsofter.

[Jarhead]

Are 7 magazines really needed? The normal Israeli soldier receives 'only' 4, thought most of us add more, yet it isn't mandatory.

Also, does each soldier carry grenades? And aren't any first aid kits carried? What about gloves (nomex, whatever)?
IFAK = First Aid kit

[oregongrunt]

Canteen/CamelBack for sure, I think the CamelBack though is just an approved piece of gear, I think the canteens are mandatory. In Gulf War 1 NBC suit and gas mask were standard, I think in the beginning of Gulf War 2 as well. 7 M16 mags are standard, although those are usually expanded upon. Helmet + OTV/IOTV. There's more, that's just off the top of my head.

We rarely carried Camelbaks in Iraq because we drank the water in them too fast (esp. on footpatrols). Instead, we carried assault backs with 4-6 big bottles of water. Seven mags on our vests, and 7-10 in our assault packs. I was an Army infantry platoon leader in Iraq for fifteen months from 2003-2004. No canteens ever used. Woodland NBC suit and mask for only the first 5-6 weeks of invasion, we only wore our underwear and white athletic socks in them (it was hot). i didn't know anyone cared about this subject really.

[Sir Zach of R.]

It really depends on if you're in garrison or not. Garrison training is a lot more regulated as a uniform, atleast it is here in Graf.

[digrar]

I'm not a good enough shot to only carry 4 mags... p-)
I'd feel a lot more comfortable carrying 10+.

[Tikvah]

Ok, I dunno where LION gets his info, but as an IDF soldier, allow me to clarrify a few things.
We carry (on average):
6-8 mags - 1 single mag, 1 tracer mag, and 2 or 3 double mags (two attached together for faster reload).
Number of grenades (frag and flash) varies between location of operation and unit.
Everyone carries at least one kit for binding prisoners.
At least 1 tourniquet and bandage.
2-3L Camleback.
Those are the basics.

Oh, and we never throw away our mags.

[45commandorm]

when doing a mag change we stow them down our smock/dump pouch where ever. because if your cut off from resupplies. you can rebomb your empty mags with the loose rounds you carry spare in your ruck sack

[flanker7]

Is there anyone who throws away their magazines?!

Spare ammo come loose. I can't imagine a military that resuplies it's sodiers with full mags!

[LineDoggie]

Hmmm, Let's see, in Iraq I carried:

SDS DCU RACK Rig(Complete) & Specops brand 4 & 6 Mag Pouches
1X Specops Brand Knife Pouch (for Issue Gerber tool)
4X M67 Frags
1X M8 HC
1X M14 Thermite
15x 30rd Mags(M4)
Compass, Lensatic
Strobe, SDU with IR cover
4X"Israeli" bandages
1X One hand Tournequit
1X Large Chest Dressing
Pre Filled out 1156 Card:roll:
Randall Mod. 14
Specops brand "HUMP" water carrier attached to IBA (DCU)

AN/PAQ-4C
AN/PVS-14
M4 with M68 CCO and ARMS #40 BUIS
Bushmaster M16A2 Front grip
Booniepacker JFS Patrol Sling
Visible Green Laser zip tied to RAS

a Packmule had nothing on us.....

[Pete031]

Is there anyone who throws away their magazines?!

Spare ammo come loose. I can't imagine a military that resuplies it's sodiers with full mags!

As BrianT said.... It depends on the situation. AT LEAST IN MY ARMY. If there is a threat present, I am not going to **** around with the empty mag, I am going to eject it and throw in a fresh one.
I won't even get into transition... But if you are firing at a threat from a distance, then yes, we hold on to our mags.

[BumpkinBoy]

As BrianT said.... It depends on the situation. AT LEAST IN MY ARMY. If there is a threat present, I am not going to **** around with the empty mag, I am going to eject it and throw in a fresh one.
I won't even get into transition... But if you are firing at a threat from a distance, then yes, we hold on to our mags.

In the worst worst WORST case scenario of an enemy bearing down on you, then yeah, common sense prevails. Throw on a fresh mag, or hell even fix bayonets, but seriously... how hard is it to atleast throw it down the front of your shirt, or hell even your pocket untill you can get to a safe moment when you can return it to your webbing?

Leaving mags behind only leaves yourself and your fireteam/section/platoon with 30 less rounds (or what have you) and provides the enemy with INTEL and equipment. I can't really think of any situation where you'd be leaving mags behind, unless it was an accident in the heat of battle. Which is completley understandable.

[Sabre]

Hmmm, Let's see, in Iraq I carried:

SDS DCU RACK Rig(Complete) & Specops brand 4 & 6 Mag Pouches
1X Specops Brand Knife Pouch (for Issue Gerber tool)
4X M67 Frags
1X M8 HC
1X M14 Thermite
15x 30rd Mags(M4)
Compass, Lensatic
Strobe, SDU with IR cover
4X"Israeli" bandages
1X One hand Tournequit
1X Large Chest Dressing
Pre Filled out 1156 Card:roll:
Randall Mod. 14
Specops brand "HUMP" water carrier attached to IBA (DCU)

AN/PAQ-4C
AN/PVS-14
M4 with M68 CCO and ARMS #40 BUIS
Bushmaster M16A2 Front grip
Booniepacker JFS Patrol Sling
Visible Green Laser zip tied to RAS

a Packmule had nothing on us.....

Let me guess, now you need the phone book to stand on to see over the bar! :lol:

[T for Tetrapod]

Water, weapon, ammo, boots with good socks, awareness

[Pete031]

Well, lets ask Eliteteamfighter what he thinks......

[T for Tetrapod]

^^^roflroflroflrofl

I forgot all about that joker.