US Army Standard Issue Gear

[jkopp]

thanks for all the help guys.

[crazyman]

honestly...you shouldnt worry too much about this sort of thing, it all becomes clear once you actually GET to a unit, but here goes anyways.

as far as your own gear, it depends on your boss. You'll probably be allowed to go buy certain things, within limits. for example...if you decide to go out and get some sunglasses, you'll find there are certain ones that are acceptable, and some that are not.

weapons are maintained at a unit level. you'll fill out a hand receipt when you get to your unit, and will use the same weapon throughout your time in that job. What you'll be issued will depend on your job. and NO, you cannot bring a privately owned firearm with you. If your thinking that you want to be all hooah and have a .45 strapped to your leg or something, just stop that silliness now. although it may look cool, the fact is that every single soldier i've talked to here at ft sill who has been to the super bowls have said they never had to use their M9. many who were issued one in addition to their M4 or M16 didnt bother carrying one.

i know you have a lot of questions now, everyone does...just try and focus on the immediate future: prepping for basic training (i.e. getting in shape, squaring your finances, etc). if you happen to be curious about going FA (13 series MOS's) feel free to contact me

[molsen]

The first thing you should do, if you really are serious about joining, even before posting on an internet forum, is speak to an Army recruiter. They can help you with anything you might have a question about.

Here's a good site to try out: www.goarmy.com

Just because you go and talk to a recruiter doesn't mean that you're automatically signed up. Don't be afraid to go and ask them, that's their job.

[eggroll]

short answers... no you will not be using the same weapon ALL during your 'career' ano NO personally owned firearms are allowed in the big fight.

Talk to a recruiter, take the asvab, check yourself for the intestinal fortitude and be advised, its a JOB and chances are, reality is going to hit you like a ****load of bricks once you're in.

[jkopp]

main equipment i am talking about is boots. i would like to head to bt with my own boots.

i am quite realistic, i am not a 17 year old kid dreaming about glory and "looking cool"

[ShakesFIST]

ANYTHING you bring to Basic will be locked up and you will not see it until you leave and the only things you can wear/use are the items issued to you. In the "real" army its a different. Walk around here and you'll see a dozen different types of boots. As long as its in the regulations (AR 670-1) you can wear it. I think as long as the boots have black leather heels and toes you can wear them after basic but dont quote me on that.

[jkopp]

back when i was 18 and talking to a recruiter, i heard the boots were pretty cheap and gave hell to your feet.

is that still true?

[buckeyedoc]

Actually, I found that the standard issue boots were quite comfortable. I still have a pair from Basic now and wear them from time to time. Like ShakesFIST said, everyone seems to have different boots once you get to your unit. I'm not sure what MOS you're looking into, but if you get into the 11X series, you better take GOOD care of your feet.

[Digital Marine]

Actually, I found that the standard issue boots were quite comfortable. I still have a pair from Basic now and wear them from time to time. Like ShakesFIST said, everyone seems to have different boots once you get to your unit. I'm not sure what MOS you're looking into, but if you get into the 11X series, you better take GOOD care of your feet.


Do they issue the Belleville boots in basic training?

[ASSASSIN]

Not to flame you or anything, but if your not able to answer some basic questions that you asked, i suggest you invest more time acctually thinking about your decision to join the army instead of with questions like these. I feel you have a misconception of the army as many people do, especially when you bring up questions about missions and the like. I wouldnt suggest talking to a recruiter over someone whoes acctually in the army. Recruiters just feed you bull**** that you want to hear just to get you to sign up. They did it to my brother, and he didnt buy into it, but he joined up anyways. Good luck with your decision.

[Digital Marine]

Not to flame you or anything, but if your not able to answer some basic questions that you asked, i suggest you invest more time acctually thinking about your decision to join the army instead of with questions like these. I feel you have a misconception of the army as many people do, especially when you bring up questions about missions and the like. I wouldnt suggest talking to a recruiter over someone whoes acctually in the army. Recruiters just feed you bull**** that you want to hear just to get you to sign up. They did it to my brother, and he didnt buy into it, but he joined up anyways. Good luck with your decision.


Is ur brother happy with his decision?

[ramy]

Dude dont join the army.

Join the Marine Corps :-)

[eaglecp]

My new soldiers are now returning from Army Basic with Mattahorn Gortex Boots. I ordered a New pair of Boots through Supply and the same boots arrived.
The Army is Learning to take care of peoples feet. The New Army Uniforms will be issued to basic Trainees starting in April (I believe) They will have a very comfortable Boot in Coyote Brown and be similar to the Marine Corp. Boots and a Hi-Tech Boot.
You should seriously talk to a recruiter.
Dont Buy anything until after Basic, tempting as it may be Youll have plenty of time to get the high speed gear you desire.
SSG.P

[Uncle Sam]

Man...All I got was these ****ty leather leg boots that sucked ass!

http://www.uscav.com/prodInfo/images/19121.jpg

As soon as I got to my unit...Green jungles baby!

[ShadowNeo]

Whats with the soles on those? They look like US aircrew boots.

[Howitz]

As far as I know they're called "Lug" soles and though I haven't worn any boots with these soles on em, they don't seem like they'd be comfortable or would provide very good traction. My guess would be is that it supposed to be some sort of middle ground between road marching and bushwhackin'.

[crazyman]

the ones they issue here at sill are bates/belleville goretex. little on the warm side, but very comfortable. other nice thing is that they sell used ones (from ppl who failed out of basic/AIT) for about 1/5th the retail price. cant pass that up.

[ASSASSIN]

Not to flame you or anything, but if your not able to answer some basic questions that you asked, i suggest you invest more time acctually thinking about your decision to join the army instead of with questions like these. I feel you have a misconception of the army as many people do, especially when you bring up questions about missions and the like. I wouldnt suggest talking to a recruiter over someone whoes acctually in the army. Recruiters just feed you bull**** that you want to hear just to get you to sign up. They did it to my brother, and he didnt buy into it, but he joined up anyways. Good luck with your decision.


Is ur brother happy with his decision?


He was at first, but now that the army has instilled dicipline and values in him, He feels that he has spent all the time he wants to in the army. He now knows what the real army is all about, not the BS commercials you see everyday on TV. I asked him if given the choice would he leave right now if he could, and he said yes, because he wants to move onto other things, he feels he used the army to set him straight, but they are definatley gonna use him back. He ships out to iraq on his B-day in january. Hes in the 3rd ID, they will be in charge of Faluja of all places. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said, no one in their right minds wants to go, but it has to be done, and hes not gonna bitch an moan about it. Hes gonna go, get it over with, and come back alive. He does realize that he did join the army, and thats what you're trained to do, even though he doesnt agree at all about the reasons we are there ( if you can call them reasons)

if you have any other questions about his time in the army, feel free to ask.