Are batteries a problem for the US forces?

[ELINT]

I heard today that the US Army uses something like 15 different types of batteries for all their kit (Sights, GPS, NVG, Gameboys, COMMS, Flashlights, Walkmans and whatever...)

In my head this sounds like some kind of logistics nightmare if you should support a large and longterm Op abroad.
And that battery shortages very well could have limited US military operations or forced changes to combat plans in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Are there any US servicemen/women here that would like to make a comment on all this?

[AVZ]

Are the US Forces really equipped with Game Boys???????????

Do they even have a PS-2 ?????????????

Man how can i join the US forces?!??!??????? :cantbeli: :hug: :D rofl

[ELINT]

Are the US Forces really equipped with Game Boys???????????

Do they even have a PS-2 ?????????????

Man how can i join the US forces?!??!??????? :cantbeli: :hug: :D rofl

?!

Even the Bundeswehr keeps its soldiers equipped the gameconsoles. Welfare is a great part of keepin soldiers happy.
I didnt say that its standard equipment but they usually share some systems on a platoon or so.

You honestly dont belive that people like ourselves mentallywould survive a 6 months posting in Afganistan, Kosovo or Iraq without video or computergames? ;)

[Midav]

"Lieutenant! Insurgents are massing in Najaf. we need to...

Not now. I'm almost to level 56!"

[Tane Angle]

Yeah, it's a pain in the butt.

[SR15]

yep , big problem ,they realy need batteries for Gameboy's rofl

[StarvingStudent47]

The local hard rock radio station was sponsoring a goods drive for the troops in Iraq. They had a list of what they needed--tuna fish baggies (beats the hell out of MREs), candy, paperback novels, etc. But batteries were on the list. That surprised me.

Though I suppose a lot of folks do have discmen and gameboys back in the barracks. Doesn't surprise me, and I don't see anything wrong with it, but I guess the Army can't / doesn't want to be the main supplier of AA batteries for such things.

[StarvingStudent47]

yep , big problem ,they realy need batteries for Gameboy's rofl

Not everyone wants to read Hemmingway or teach themselves t'ai chi after finally returning to base after being shot at all day :roll:

[Michael RVR]

With us, the radios have different size batteries (being different sizes...), but pretty much everything else runs off AA , in the infantry anyway.

There are those big L shaped torches which have larger batteries (C's i think).., but most people have AA size maglights so its a non issue for the most part.

The GPS i've seen (tho not issued) ran off AA's also. ;)

[ELINT]

...but pretty much everything else runs off AA...

Something else I heard was that it suddenly got surprisingly hard to buy AA batteries in Greece and Cyprus. Could it have been that the the coalition had emptied the market somehow? Anyone here that lives in that region?

This portable power problem is a real issue for the "next generation soldiers", like FIST, SDZ and what the new US concept is called. Fuelcell technology still has quite a long way to go to to be a good sollution.

[scm77]

I read in a book about the war that the averarge army infantry soldier could go through 12 batteries a night. Things like NVG's, flashlights, IR pointers, radios, GPS etc. That's alot.

[ibstolidude]

I heard today that the US Army uses something like 15 different types of batteries for all their kit (Sights, GPS, NVG, Gameboys, COMMS, Flashlights, Walkmans and whatever...)

In my head this sounds like some kind of logistics nightmare if you should support a large and longterm Op abroad.
And that battery shortages very well could have limited US military operations or forced changes to combat plans in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Are there any US servicemen/women here that would like to make a comment on all this?
I have never had an issue. Certainly the US army burns through some batteries; but the thought that it would have major battlefield affects on the operational level is a little weighted. Considering that MOST systems will take atleast 2 different kinds of batteries it is easy to stay on top of the potential problem.

The standard GI GPS uses everything from a rechargable, to AA's, to it's original standard batteries.
THe MBITR radio uses re-chargables than can be recharged on a car/HMMWV battery, they also use a 3v version. ANCYZ-10 uses similiar to the GPS and alternates and can be run soley off vehicle power. ACOG's do not require batteries and the new M68's have batteries that last forever, stuff one of those tiny little suckers in your pistol grip ,cap it an move out. Even NVG's are multiple battery capable. The standard SINGCARS does not require a battery when in a vehicle (the most common usage) but it does use a battery, the same ones used for the PSC-5 and the PRC-150 and other devices such as the SOFLAM; the radios can typically also be run off a converter and standard power if stationary and also offer multiple battery versions to include a rechargable set. I would love to see a better standardization of the type, but it sure isn't the crippling problem people outside of the US and the US military like to pretend it is. I know it make everyone feel good to pretend what is often percieved as the strongest single military in the world (whether true or not) is crippled by it's own battery usage; it is really not true.
I will say that if I was a squad leader in traditional line unit I would pay close attention to the were the AA are headed w/my guys and not blow them on walkmans, discmans and the like; I would seperate those for operations and those for MWR and encourage the use of rechargable. And as I stated I would like to see the interchangability (is that even a word!) of the batteries increased and better standardization. Batteries are like MWR stuff and food, always act like you are out of it, so that you will be first to get more.

And unfortunately the US is not GI'ed Gameboys and Playstations, although troops often buy them and bring the them.

[mi35d]

Second the comments.

Primary use for a "straight leg" is "AA": NVG's, PAC 4's, Reflex sights, mini-"Mag" flashlights, (no one uses the standard issue "L" shape anymore, but they use "D" size.), laser pointers, GPS, radios, etc.

I have a set of rechargable "AA"'s for a digital camera and small tape recorder. (MI section)

Definetly something every soldier watches out for. Basically, I remind my troops to conserve battery life when they can and always have a fresh set in reserve.

[Royal]

Even the Bundeswehr keeps its soldiers equipped the gameconsoles. Welfare is a great part of keepin soldiers happy.
I didnt say that its standard equipment but they usually share some systems on a platoon or so.

Can't speak for the Bundeswehr, but the British armed forces certainly aren't - the closest thing is the machines in Echos and the NAAFI...

We burn through AA's like it's going out of fashion, but there's no real supply problem. We always over order to run CD/MP3 players etc...

[ibstolidude]

Even the Bundeswehr keeps its soldiers equipped the gameconsoles. Welfare is a great part of keepin soldiers happy.
I didnt say that its standard equipment but they usually share some systems on a platoon or so.

Can't speak for the Bundeswehr, but the British armed forces certainly aren't - the closest thing is the machines in Echos and the NAAFI...

We burn through AA's like it's going out of fashion, but there's no real supply problem. We always over order to run CD/MP3 players etc...
Why would the British forces need game systems with such fun classics as "soggy biscuit" and "piss chaser"? ;)

[Royal]

Touche

[ELINT]

Can't speak for the Bundeswehr, but the British armed forces certainly aren't - the closest thing is the machines in Echos and the NAAFI...

Really? Well then I guess I should consider myself spoiled ;)
Dont your troops or coys get any welfare funds when stationed? Well, in Kosovo anyways the Brittish camp was the place to be for the wildest parties so I guess good morale can be created withot thew help of sony, microsoft or nintendo ;)

Echos, its some kind of christian organization right?

[Royal]

Can't speak for the Bundeswehr, but the British armed forces certainly aren't - the closest thing is the machines in Echos and the NAAFI...

Really? Well then I guess I should consider myself spoiled ;)
Dont your troops or coys get any welfare funds when stationed? Well, in Kosovo anyways the Brittish camp was the place to be for the wildest parties so I guess good morale can be created withot thew help of sony, microsoft or nintendo ;)

Echos, its some kind of christian organization right?

Yep, that's 'coz we drink rather than play on gameboys...

Echos is a Dutch Christian organisation that provides welfare cafe's for military personnel in (to my knowledge) Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

[ELINT]

Yep, that's 'coz we drink rather than play on gameboys...

Echos is a Dutch Christian organisation that provides welfare cafe's for military personnel in (to my knowledge) Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yes, sometimes I feel that I am in the wrong country and service. My best teachers have infact been former UK officers, the best one of course a Marine ;)
Here in Swedenland alot of people in the service seems to have forgotten what this profession is all about (or in most cases never experienced it). I really hope that the big reorganization here will bring some well needed improvment and some more major commitments abroad.

Well, Echos brought som well needed pizzas and that was a blessing for us anyway. ;)

[ibstolidude]

Can't speak for the Bundeswehr, but the British armed forces certainly aren't - the closest thing is the machines in Echos and the NAAFI...

Really? Well then I guess I should consider myself spoiled ;)
Dont your troops or coys get any welfare funds when stationed? Well, in Kosovo anyways the Brittish camp was the place to be for the wildest parties so I guess good morale can be created withot thew help of sony, microsoft or nintendo ;)

Echos, its some kind of christian organization right?

Yep, that's 'coz we drink rather than play on gameboys...

Echos is a Dutch Christian organisation that provides welfare cafe's for military personnel in (to my knowledge) Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
ECHOES are NICE. atleast the ones I have been in.

The one in film city in Pristina was funny, like a little coffee cafe overlooking the city.