Army provides special ops Soldiers with new equipment

RELEASE NUMBER: 040916-02
DATE POSTED: SEPTEMBER 16, 2004

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 16, 2004) — Special operations Soldiers are known for their advanced equipment and technology, but with the Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative, brigade combat teams are being issued some of the same equipment they use.

Now, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command is relying on the RFI program to outfit it Soldiers with the up-to-date equipment provided by the Program Executive Office. Some of the command’s Soldiers received RFI equipment here during a Sept. 13-15 issuing, USASOC Soldiers first began receiving the RFI-issued items in late August.

“The Army started issuing the equipment out to other units within the Army,” said Valerie Wyatt, a USASOC logistic management specialist. “Since we are a (special operations) unit and we were already getting this equipment, they figured we didn’t need it.”

Some of the RFI equipment the Soldiers received included a duffel bag, Advanced Combat Helmet, two pairs of desert combat boots, hydration system, cold weather cap, combat rigger belt, multi-use sunglass goggles, low profile goggles, flyers gloves, cold weather gloves, socks, fleece overalls, fleece shirt, silk weight underwear and moisture-wicking T-shirts.

However, the equipment the special operations Soldiers already had was not provided to the units by the Army. The equipment was being purchased for them with their unit funds, Wyatt said.

“These are some of the items that the command was actually buying prior to units deploying,” she said. “But the Department of the Army said the units were spending too much money, so they came up with RFI to outfit the Soldiers. Now we are saving them some money.”

Maj. Jeffrey L. Peters, a combat developer with USASOC, said some of the Soldiers from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, as well as special operations support personnel, all preparing to deploy, are receiving the RFI equipment.

“The remaining USASOC units will be scheduled as they prepare to deploy,” Peters said. “Production shortages in equipment has limited some equipment fielding, but units will receive the shortage equipment as soon as the program has the equipment.”

Wyatt said during the three days they issued an estimated $1.5 million of equipment to more than 1,000 Soldiers.

The equipment is being issued to the command’s Soldiers at a crucial time, Peters said.

“USASOC Soldiers benefit as Army Soldiers receiving Army-common individual Soldier equipment at a time when they need it most,” said Peters. “USASOC also benefits… (by) providing Army common equipment to both active and reserve components.”


A Soldier from 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) tries on a pair of cold weather gloves at Fort Bragg, N.C., Sept. 14. Soldiers are receiving Army common equipment as part of the Rapid Fielding Initiative, which provides new equipment to individuals and units. (Photo by Gillian M. Albro, USASOC PAO)
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