gear experts: help needed for project!

[blackghost]

hi, Im doing an end of the year project (massive essay thing) on the gear and equipment of the modern infantryman, specifically those in the 75th Ranger Regiment. (because just 'the modern US infantryman" is to broad a topic)

I will be speaking to people who are IN the military about the training aspect of 75th Ranger, but I need plenty of help with what kind of gear theyre packing.

I will need to know what type of LBE theyre using. If it is some sort of Chest rig, what would typically be on it, and if its an assault vest, what kind. If a modular assault vest (MAV) then what kind of stuff goes on it.

then, I need to know about equipment. Nightvision, navigation, comms, etc...

lastly, weaponry. what would a platoon sized unit be packing into the field? what would the breakdown of riflemen to SAW/GPMG gunners be, how many m203's etc... also, what sorts of optics. I know of the ACOG, M68, and limited use of the EOTECH holosites, but not much else.


Of course, I will be using the most current JANES small arms encyclopedia for my info on these, and will also be posting this same topic on a few other forums (lightfighet tactical, and ar15.com military section).


any help you guys can give me would be greatly apreciated, as this is a project I will really enjoy, and is a major part of my grade. I just need somewhere to start getting the ball rolling.

[TFG]

You may be able to get some of your questions answered here: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1883[/url]

[OzMan]

Why in the hell do people do school projects on military stuff? And it's always either the Rangers or Delta. Doesn't that ever get annoying? :roll:

[EliteWolf]

yes eagle 1-1 i agree completely.

rofl

[OzMan]

Good, I'm not the only one. Must be a Kansas thing. I mean, I do research projects on my own time, and for my own agenda. The only time I talk about the military at school is with my friends, not with my teachers, because they couldn't care less.

[TFG]

I did some speeches on the topic of Kevlar for my speech/comms class in highschool.

[OzMan]

See, I wouldn't mind listening to (or researching) Kevlar or something like that for a school project, something that's got some real research behind it, and something that locals can use (police officers), etc.

Doing a massive project on the gear of an elite combat unit is something that will go sailing straight over everyone's head, except if you go to a military school. No one will have the slightest idea of what you're talking about. I have to do the same thing whenever I have to talk about Civil Air Patrol. No one really knows about it, and no one really cares. That's why I avoid talking about it to people who aren't in it.

[blackghost]

'why kids do topics about military? 'I have no idea. infact, this entire year, not a single kid in any of my classes have done any projects on modern military forces. I am the only one who has any interest in anything military as far as I know

heh anyway I do have an alterior motive for this project ;) . Im into airsofting (call me an armchair warrior if you will), and I figure by doing a project on this topic, it will give me a good reason to get my parents to help foot the bill for getting some decent gear: "but mommm If I dress up like a hi-speed low drag ranger, ill get a bunch of extra credit" (thats true).

anyway, those of you who want to help me, any good sources to look through? after going to the library and getting help from my mom (she works there) the only books I found were"janes Infantry weaponry recognition guide" and "Tom clancy's "Special Forces"", and its got exactly what I need. plenty of in-depth desription about the ALICE, MOLLE, and other various lbe systems. also plenty of info on the various weapons systems used.

to eagle-1-1's second post:, I sort of see your point, and am really torn in wether or not I should swap over to my other topic of choice: mideivil Seige-weapons, such as catapults, onagers, and trebuchets. I would be building a scale model of a trebuchet, wich ive allways wanted to do. I may think about it. I am aware that no one would understand a single word I said but considering half the kids in my class are baked out of there minds, and only care about the hottest new rap record I dont really care what they think about it. I just thought its a project I would really enjoy doing.

what do you think about my other project on midevil (I know im misspelling that) seige weapons and fortifications? i know all the other kids in class will be bored, up until the point where I put on the video of me hurling watermelons w/ a trebuchet much like R-lee ermey did on 'mail call'.

hrmmmm decisions decisions..... (anyone want to throw out any topics I would like to do that still have something to do with the military/warfare etc, that WOULDNT go over everyone elses heads? im open to suggestions here)

[OzMan]

Ok, I'll hold on the sarcasm for a little while.

Maybe you could do a case study about combat or something like that, or compare/contrast medieval warfare to modern warfare. I know a lot of anti-war people at my school who study ancient/medieval warfare and say, "war hasn't changed". You could really score some points against them if you do something like that.

When I was a JROTC cadet, I did a case study about terrorism in the Soviet and post-Soviet era, and counter-terrorism operations, applications, and tactics, and I learned a lot more than I would have I would have simply explained what units are from what country, what gear they carry, etc. And it really helped me with the book I'm writing.

Here's a start:
http://www.specialoperations.com/Focus/Default.htm

http://specwarnet.net/miscinfo/cases.htm

[venture160]

im in high school and I have a research project for my history class, contemporary china (the final project,) and I am doing the modernization of the chinese military... no one will have a clue what i'm talking about... hehe easy A

[TacoDelRio]

Whatever you do, don't put the Ranger Tab on you shoulder, unless you are a Ranger, Blackghost. If you need help on the project, I can help you out, as I am ont he road to Ranger School (next april).

Email me at ryan.dacey@us.army.mil
Don't do nothing stupid.

Hooah p-)

[blackghost]

Whatever you do, don't put the Ranger Tab on you shoulder, unless you are a Ranger, Blackghost. If you need help on the project, I can help you out, as I am ont he road to Ranger School (next april).

Email me at ryan.dacey@us.army.mil
Don't do nothing stupid.

Hooah




wouldnt dream of it!! as an avid airsofter, I have taken the position that it is wrong to wear a military insignia that you didnt earn, even if you arent trying to fool people into thinking you ARE a ranger... (its a pretty big issue in airsoft, wether its ok or not ok to wear military insignia... fwiw)



also, If I do follow through on this project (may do the one on seige weapons instead), I will be sure to contact you about training and whatnot. my emails Blackghost00@incamail.com

[Apogee]

MrSkorotsnoy,
If you are still an 11-X then how is it that you know exactly when you'll be in Ranger school? I'm just wondering if the policy has changed since a year or two ago where you could get a contract for Infantry, and Airborne, and if you were badass enough, they would send you to RIP. If you make it through RIP then you are part of the 75th. After a year or two in regiment, they usually send you to Ranger School. Have things changed?

[TacoDelRio]

They opened a Ranger option, so that if one makes it through OSUT (Basic and infantry AIT in Benning), and through Airborne training (optional), then this candidate is guaranteed Ranger Training. As in, this young (very) recruit gets to attend RIP. If this person passes, he goes to Ranger School. If not, the Army fullfilled its duties in guaranteeing you the school/s of your choice, and you are to be reassigned after your contract is re-examined.

I personally know that so long as nothing terrible happens to me before RIP, that I will pass it, and go on to earn the coveted Ranger tab. This is my dream, not just something I thought of while watching "Blackhawk Down". I've been into military stuff for as long as I could understand something related to it, so about 16 years. I'm currently 18, obviously, so that is most of my life.

I can say that I know when I'm going to RIP, but it's an approximation, as I will find out my exact date of arrival after Airborne training. Till then, it's just a happy approximation! :D

Have a good day, guys.

Hooah p-)