I need gear reccomendations.

[Dronetek]

My little brother is going to Iraq and my family wants to get him anything extra that he might need. He's an infantry Marine and I think he’s a SAW gunner right now. Can you guys recommend anything extra that he might need that we can get for him? I know we want to get him those new helmet inserts for sure.


edit: misspelled recommendations.

[Silent 6]

check out ar15.com in the public forum there's a discussion of what one should have with them.

http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=132&t=310984


Just remember this, the more stuff you get him, the more stuff he'll have to carry.

A good folding knife (Benchmade, Gerber, etc.), good socks/sock liners, petzl headlamp, etc.

He should talk to some of his platoon or company mates who already have a tour or two over there. They're his best source of information.

God's speed. Our prayers go with your brother and your family.

[Randomrokottaja]

Pray. The best you can do for him.

Ask him about the gear he has been issued and then fill the lacks if there was any, specially in the case of protective wear.

Atleast he should have kevlar vest _with_ bulletproof plates and the kevlar helmet and protection glasses. Maybe a good and reliable 9mm pistol could be handy too.

If those piece of equipments are not already issued by the house. I don't know a lot about regular marine's issues.

[Dronetek]

Great information in that thread. Is there anything specific to being a SAW gunner?

[Randomrokottaja]

"Is there anything specific to being a SAW gunner?"

Shouldn't be anything that wasn't already taken into account. The best way to find it out is to ask your brother.

[Captain_Smollet]

Great information in that thread. Is there anything specific to being a SAW gunner?

1st of all Good luck to your brother.

2nd Ask him if he is satisfied with his sling for minimi. It's heavy.

If he is not - good padded SAW sling will do the job. His hands and shoulders will be thankful.


:roll: :)

[DnA]

Just remember this, the more stuff you get him, the more stuff he'll have to carry.



Nope

What he doesn't need for a patrol he can leave at the Camp. You don't bring out every piece of kit you got for patrols, etc.



Anyways, ask your brother what he wants.
Big things are
A good M249 sling
Baby Wipes
Magazines
Powedered Gatorade
DVDs
AERO BLSS Helmet Suspension
etc


Randomrokottaja, SAW gunners do not get pistols. Also he would have been issued a IBA, Helmet, MOLLE LBE an ruck, an a lot of other kit.

[Dronetek]

"Is there anything specific to being a SAW gunner?"

Shouldn't be anything that wasn't already taken into account. The best way to find it out is to ask your brother.

He's asking me!

[Captain_Smollet]

He's asking me!

If it’s not secret, what kind of unit? Type of activity? .

USMC is pretty big one, if he is from combat support units, its one thing,
If he is going to spend lots of hours on foot with SAW , it’s a different story.


If He is asking you – start from a sling J He is relatively new on service?

[Randomrokottaja]

"Randomrokottaja, SAW gunners do not get pistols."

Are they allowed to take their own pistols like other gear? What is the policy in that matter?

[KEEPER0311]

"Randomrokottaja, SAW gunners do not get pistols."

Are they allowed to take their own pistols like other gear? What is the policy in that matter?
Up to the CO's...

[Dronetek]

If He is asking you – start from a sling J He is relatively new on service?
He just got out of his SOI training about 4 months ago. He's been sitting at camp Lejune waiting to go. I don’t know if I should talk about what hes going there to do though. He knows he’s going to be on SAW for sure .

He's asking me because of my military experience and he knows I post on a lot of military forums. I served in Ballad, Iraq, but spent all my time on a flight line as I was USAF.

As far as pistols go, he says there is only going to be 200 given out and those will be to the CO's and NCOs.

[DnA]

Very few units allow their troops to bring their own pistols. If they are allowed they must be inspected by a unit armourer. Also they would have to supply their own ammo, an if anything happens to the pistol(ie something gets broken or lost) they are SOL, the unit/military will not fix it or pay for any replacement parts.


Instead of wasting space, etc with a pistol I'd rather take extra ammo for my Rifle or MG or something usefull.

[ramy]

Good pair of ess goggles would be good I imagine.

[tango44]

1- Electronic ear protection and a lot of batteries for it.
2- Oakley, Wiley X, or Ruddy project sun glasses with interchangeable lens.
3- Kneepads and elbow pads.
4- A multitiool my recomendation will be a Swisstool on black oxide finish.
5- Mechanix original gloves cammo or black pattern at least 2 pairs.
6- Camelback this depens on the vest he is issued.
7- Surefire flashlight and batteries for it.

That's what I can think at the moment.

And good luck for your brother I will pray for him and your family.

[Seraphim]

You can get almost everything at the PX over there.

[JunglistSoldier]

havn't been to Iraq but i'm a soldier and these are some things I either always bring or have heard from other who are going into Iraq are good to have:

A good pair of goggles. Think ESS profile NVGs. The thing with protective gear is that it has to be comfortable/good otherwise it wont get used

A good pair of gloves (or several). Think hatch SOG-gloves.

A good multitool or two (I use a leatherman wave and a gerber multiplier)

A good folding knife (I use a CRKT m16-variation)

DVDs

Baby wipes

good boots

camelback

porn

thats from the top of my head.

[ABNINF]

Very few units allow their troops to bring their own pistols. If they are allowed they must be inspected by a unit armourer. Also they would have to supply their own ammo, an if anything happens to the pistol(ie something gets broken or lost) they are SOL, the unit/military will not fix it or pay for any replacement parts.


Instead of wasting space, etc with a pistol I'd rather take extra ammo for my Rifle or MG or something usefull.


General Order 1 prevents Army Soldiers from bringing their own personal firearms.

[Silent 6]

[QUOTE=DnA]Nope

What he doesn't need for a patrol he can leave at the Camp. You don't bring out every piece of kit you got for patrols, etc.

[QUOTE]

I know that part, I meant having to lug heavy duffle bags and foot lockers, etc. Seen too many pics of soldiers/airmen/marines lugging 2 or 3 duffle bags, a huge ruck and a footlocker.

[DnA]

General Order 1 prevents Army Soldiers from bringing their own personal firearms.
Thats the Army, I was referring to the USMC

I got that info from a USMC Armourer.

[Violence Of Action]

Dont know if someone already said this but you could get him some of the soft SAW pouches, dont marines still use the plastic ones? buy him a camera, a laptop, maybe some molle attachments he need, maybe just ask him what he needs, and pray

[AFJROTC55]

definetely gloves, good pair of glasses/goggles. some dump pouches or saw pouches to keep ammo, if he's not happy with his issue boots, see if he'd like a better pair or whatnot. i dont know what the situation is but maybe a balaclava/neck gaiter, recon wrap, something like that, a light, surefire, streamlight, a nice headlamp maybe, petzl, streamlight.

thats about it.

1*

+Prayers+
you're brother is a hero

[ALBANIAN]

My little brother is going to Iraq and my family wants to get him anything extra that he might need. He's an infantry Marine and I think he’s a SAW gunner right now. Can you guys recommend anything extra that he might need that we can get for him? I know we want to get him those new helmet inserts for sure.


edit: misspelled recommendations.

1- one Eotech HWS with SAW mount
2- ESS lvehicle Ops google or the version for Brittish Army
3- one bodyarmour level IV NIJ made by protech or Safariland
4- hatch gloves
5- one Holy Bible and the Benediction of his beloved!

[Seraphim]

1- one Eotech HWS with SAW mount
2- ESS lvehicle Ops google or the version for Brittish Army
3- one bodyarmour level IV NIJ made by protech or Safariland
4- hatch gloves
5- one Holy Bible and the Benediction of his beloved!

:cantbeli: :cantbeli: :cantbeli:

[ABNINF]

Thats the Army, I was referring to the USMC

I got that info from a USMC Armourer.

I was under the impression that the Marines fell under GO1 as well. I thought GO1 pertained to ALL American servicemen/women. That great if the Marines can.

[ALBANIAN]

:cantbeli: :cantbeli: :cantbeli:


so what???