Lessons Learned from deployment--what works--Sustain/Improve (BTDT only)

[gafkiwi]

As covered safety kit i.e. Gunners safety harness and seat belts, ("if") Its there, use it. My baggies (troopies, soldiers) bitched and moaned endlessly about it, Strangely enough after one of my hummvees was flipped roof (or turret) first into a 9ft deep ditch not a word had to be said.

2nd point is kit security, I was always stomping my guys for kit stowage in the vehicles. In IED attacks or vehicle roll overs they all become missiles and it also helps protect the kit. We just hit up our workshop boys (mechanics) and one our welding skills had been vetted we were pretty much given the run of the place so long as we cleaned up after our selves. Some of the stuff we built; AT-4 and M-72 (LAW) racks,
twin 7.62 ammo tin holders for the 58/240,
spare ammo racks in the turret for the 58/240,
collapsable observation screen/sun shade for the turret gunner
stowage bins for the turret/gunner
"Cup holders" for smoke/thermite grenades
Jerry can holders
All these things worked when we flipped our wagon, they stayed secure and undamaged throughout, hummvee was pretty f***ed though.

[Pappy]

As covered safety kit i.e. Gunners safety harness and seat belts, ("if") Its there, use it. My baggies (troopies, soldiers) bitched and moaned endlessly about it, Strangely enough after one of my hummvees was flipped roof (or turret) first into a 9ft deep ditch not a word had to be said.

I'm glad that all your guys were protected from that rollover because of their belts. However, we've had a few times in IED hits where the people who had their seatbelts on died and the other guys were blown clear. It's give or take. Not to mention the need to dismount quickly with all your gear on can be hampered by a seatbelt. In my opinion, seatbelts are fantastic for stateside or FOB use. However in sector, I don't feel their worth it.

But yeah, definately tie down as much stuff as you can in your trucks.

[gafkiwi]

Yeah thats the problem, Damned if you do Damned if you don't. For every guy who was saved by not wearing his belt there's another of a guy you'll hear about who died. Having not used Hummvees (US loan M1114s, NZDF doesnt use them) prior to deploying I found their twin seat belt set up and the quick release pretty good and normally just used the lap belt.
I suppose it goes back to what guys have already said, Know your threat level and enemy TTPs, Know the terrain in your AO, this will lead you to what you do or don't use and how you use it. The IED threat was a hell of a lot lower than down south with very few IED attacks in our AO. So my D as a commander was the greatest threat to my guys was the terrain, and the effect it had on Afgan Drivers and the skill level of my drivers.

[Pappy]

I suppose it goes back to what guys have already said, Know your threat level and enemy TTPs, Know the terrain in your AO, this will lead you to what you do or don't use and how you use it. The IED threat was a hell of a lot lower than down south with very few IED attacks in our AO. So my D as a commander was the greatest threat to my guys was the terrain, and the effect it had on Afgan Drivers and the skill level of my drivers.

Very good point. I'll agree with that. I imagine with terrain that has large dropoffs and other drastic changes in elevation, rollovers would pose a high risk.

[OneShotLuni]

Well everyone has pretty much covered everything. I would emphasize PCC's & PCI's a whole lot. I would also recommend some highspeed boots if anyone feels like spending some extra money. It is definatly worth it. Why beat your feet to hell just to make something comfortable? I also would recommend some gear as well, but that can be expensive. You want to be comfortable with your set up as much as possible. Issued gear isn't always the best.

Especially someone who is a SAW gunner. I wasn't issued any ammo pouches or 'nutsacks' for it. So I had to scrounge up some sacks and buy some pouches. I was using 200 round drums but dropped those because it is was much weight in one spot. I got pouches that fit the 100 round sacks and it spread out the weight a whole lot better. I felt the need to spend the extra money because after dismount patrols in the local city I would come back with bloody hip bones because of my side plates from the ammo pushing down on them. I tryed putting the weight in front and it would push my IOTV in my chest and it would be extremly hard to breath. Sides my plates would rub. I can't count how many times I re-adjusted my vest for comfortability. I am happy with my set up now. Way worth the money.

I would also recommend buying a molle vest or chest rig (or use the issue). It makes life so much easier. Especially when you drive or gun you can take off the vest and have more room. Especially being a SAW gunner with the bulk of the ammo. It also makes it easier if you want to do PT with just your vest. You don't have to take ammo and **** out of your pouches. It's all preference.

I see a lot of people with Oakleys but I notice they fall apart easy. My old squad leader has Blackhawk boots from his last tour and recommends them. I also have a pair and love them. I used to have some Altama Exospeeds and those were great besides the fact they didn't have speedlaces which the new ones do. Those would be the two boots to look at if you want to spend the money.

Tactical gear I would recommend; T.A.G. (my favorite), Tactical Tailor, Blackhawk and BDS.

[JC0352]

I would also recommend buying a molle vest or chest rig (or use the issue). It makes life so much easier. Especially when you drive or gun you can take off the vest and have more room. Especially being a SAW gunner with the bulk of the ammo. It also makes it easier if you want to do PT with just your vest.

I see two problems with the molle vest/chest rig. If it's not already on your vest, it's just more crap to put on and seconds are important when you get called out on QRF in the middle of the night because a squad outside the wire needs some support. Number two is my opinion, but if I'm getting out of my vehicle while outside the wire, I want all my gear on me; what if you can't get back to your vehicle?

The only people I saw PTing in their vests on the firm base were pogues who didn't have to patrol while wearing it all the time. The only time they put theirs on was when they PT or the threat level was raised on the FOB

[OneShotLuni]

I see two problems with the molle vest/chest rig. If it's not on your vest, it's just more crap to put on and seconds are important when you get called out on QRF in the middle of the night because a squad outside the wire needs some support. Number two is my opinion, but if I'm getting out of my vehicle while outside the wire, I want all my gear on me; what if you can't get back to your vehicle?

The only people I saw PTing in their vests on the firm base were pogues who didn't have to patrol while wearing it all the time.

If you are driving or gunning you don't get out hence you don't have to worry about putting it on. If you are dismount you already have it on. I have no trouble throwing mine on when we are QRF. If you can't put it on fast don't have it. When it comes to PT, I am Infantry and we PT with our vests all the time. Mostly in sprints or buddy carries. We don't do organized PT though we just get the squad together and PT. No formations and such. Organized PT is stupid if you get incoming it would take out multipul people.

[JC0352]

If you are driving or gunning you don't get out hence you don't have to worry about putting it on. If you are dismount you already have it on. I have no trouble throwing mine on when we are QRF. If you can't put it on fast don't have it. When it comes to PT, I am Infantry and we PT with our vests all the time. Mostly in sprints or buddy carries. We don't do organized PT though we just get the squad together and PT. No formations and such. Organized PT is stupid if you get incoming it would take out multipul people.

Mission dependant, I guess. We would take CAG to the Ramadi gov't center all the time and post outside for hours, with the trucks behind hesco positions. Everyone would get out except for gunner. Some of us had them, just didn't take them off in the trucks. I thought most bases didn't even allow organized PT? This is all my 2 cents; not trying to say I know it all from my experience.

What part of that wonderful place were you deployed to?

[OneShotLuni]

Mission dependant, I guess. We would take CAG to the Ramadi gov't center all the time and post outside for hours, with the trucks behind hesco positions. Everyone would get out except for gunner. Some of us had them, just didn't take them off in the trucks. I thought most bases didn't even allow organized PT? This is all my 2 cents; not trying to say I know it all from my experience.

What part of that wonderful place were you deployed to?

Yeah it is all METT-TC I guess. It's all SOP and what the people in charge want. Even if it doesn't make sense which is a lot of the time. PT here was made mandatory by our PL because that is all he is good at is PT. I prefer doing PT on my own. I know barely anything, this is my 1st deployment.

We are deployed in Southern Iraq not to far from Iran.

[JC0352]

Yeah it is all METT-TC I guess. It's all SOP and what the people in charge want. Even if it doesn't make sense which is a lot of the time. PT here was made mandatory by our PL because that is all he is good at is PT. I prefer doing PT on my own. I know barely anything, this is my 1st deployment.

We are deployed in Southern Iraq not to far from Iran.

Well stay safe out there, man. Thanks for what you're doing and welcome to MP.NET

[OneShotLuni]

Well stay safe out there, man. Thanks for what you're doing and welcome to MP.NET

Thanks and I appreciate it.

[OneShotLuni]

I would also like to throw in there some Magpul PMAGS with PMAG rangerplates. Costs some money but it is sure worth it. Everyone I know with them has not had a feeding problem yet. Easy to clean and hold up extremly well. If you don't want to spend the cash you can get the rebuild kit with a follower that wont turn & shift on you and a new spring and comes with a rangerplate in any color you want all for about $17 for the issue mags. Cuts the cost a lot.

You could get the regular Magpuls for your mags but make them hard to fit in pouches. I prefer the rangerplates because they are low profile, protects the bottom of your mag in the ****e. Also make it easier to draw mags out.

You could also rig up some 550 and make some ghetto pulls if you don't want to spend anything serious.

[Pappy]

I would also like to throw in there some Magpul PMAGS with PMAG rangerplates. Costs some money but it is sure worth it. Everyone I know with them has not had a feeding problem yet. Easy to clean and hold up extremly well. If you don't want to spend the cash you can get the rebuild kit with a follower that wont turn & shift on you and a new spring and comes with a rangerplate in any color you want all for about $17 for the issue mags. Cuts the cost a lot.

You could get the regular Magpuls for your mags but make them hard to fit in pouches. I prefer the rangerplates because they are low profile, protects the bottom of your mag in the ****e. Also make it easier to draw mags out.

You could also rig up some 550 and make some ghetto pulls if you don't want to spend anything serious.

PMAGs are fantastic! I haven't even had a feeding problem with blanks. Usually you have to slap the mag or forward assist ever several rounds with blanks. Not with the PMAGs. Oh and they also work great with live rounds too

[crazyman]

Just a thought on wearing a vest over your body armor: if you work in humvees or MRAPs, the ability to ditch that stuff and take over for the gunner (climbing into his hatch, helping him out of it, etc) without taking off your IOTV, IBA, etc is pretty clutch. my 2nd tour I was on a MiTT, working with iraqi soldiers constantly, so I'm going to add a couple bits of info that the average guy may miss out on doing regular ol' infantry stuff

language: learn it! I left iraq able to speak what I'd call "cafe arabic" and it comes in handy. I wasnt quite at full sentence level, but close. Particularly learn military words like sir (saidi) sgt (areef) soldier (jundi), etc etc. Initially I just asked my terp a lot of questions while working with him, and it just snowballed. I am forever thankful for the level of arabic I made it to, it paid dividends time and again

food: there is an arabic saying that goes something like "you cannot betray a man whom you have eaten with, for he is your brother" give it a try, just skip the meat if you are worried about the source. i lived for 6 months embedded with an IA battalion, I ate their food every day, and I loved the stuff. Digging in will buy you serious cool points, especially now that combined operations are the rule rather than the exception.

PT: do it. i had 82lbs of stuff on me when I rolled out, and I was thankfull for all the road time back in germany


as far as gear went, i stuck with a SERPA holster for hte most part...belt worn or mounted on my vest. I generally stick to Diamondback or Tactical tailor for my cool guy stuff. DBT makes a small SSE bag that I used a lot, folds up to the size of a wallet, pull tab...instant dump bag. I also liked surefires' earplugs. Initially i had a football QB-style wristband with arabic phrases, mission info, etc on it, but I dumped that after awhile.


if anyone needs some basic arabic words fast, message me and I'll hook you up with what I can rattle off

[OneShotLuni]

Just a thought on wearing a vest over your body armor: if you work in humvees or MRAPs, the ability to ditch that stuff and take over for the gunner (climbing into his hatch, helping him out of it, etc) without taking off your IOTV, IBA, etc is pretty clutch. my 2nd tour I was on a MiTT, working with iraqi soldiers constantly, so I'm going to add a couple bits of info that the average guy may miss out on doing regular ol' infantry stuff

language: learn it! I left iraq able to speak what I'd call "cafe arabic" and it comes in handy. I wasnt quite at full sentence level, but close. Particularly learn military words like sir (saidi) sgt (areef) soldier (jundi), etc etc. Initially I just asked my terp a lot of questions while working with him, and it just snowballed. I am forever thankful for the level of arabic I made it to, it paid dividends time and again

food: there is an arabic saying that goes something like "you cannot betray a man whom you have eaten with, for he is your brother" give it a try, just skip the meat if you are worried about the source. i lived for 6 months embedded with an IA battalion, I ate their food every day, and I loved the stuff. Digging in will buy you serious cool points, especially now that combined operations are the rule rather than the exception.

PT: do it. i had 82lbs of stuff on me when I rolled out, and I was thankfull for all the road time back in germany


as far as gear went, i stuck with a SERPA holster for hte most part...belt worn or mounted on my vest. I generally stick to Diamondback or Tactical tailor for my cool guy stuff. DBT makes a small SSE bag that I used a lot, folds up to the size of a wallet, pull tab...instant dump bag. I also liked surefires' earplugs. Initially i had a football QB-style wristband with arabic phrases, mission info, etc on it, but I dumped that after awhile.


if anyone needs some basic arabic words fast, message me and I'll hook you up with what I can rattle off

I get down with some kebabs! Like you said learn some words in Arabic, it helps a lot.