Deployment Gear

ThePunisher · 12-03-2005, 10:37 PM

Lets say that you have around $1,000 to $1,500 to spend on gear that you plan on deploying to Iraq within the next few months. You are a combat infantryman with a basic USMC loadout and nothing more.
What would you spend your money on?
The reason that I'm asking is because I am in this situation. I'm looking into the Oregon Aero BLSS kit (anyone have a review?), some Danner Boots(suggestions? looking into the Desert Acadia and Hot temperate USMC authorized boot), some optics for my new A4 (either Aimpoint or ACOG), and a few other comfort items. Does anyone have any suggestions as to whatelse I should look into?
I did a basic search and did not find this topic. Sorry if it is a repost.
Thanks for your help in advance.

Crewdog · 12-03-2005, 10:46 PM

The helmet upgrade kit is a lifesafer man. I would highly recommend it. As well as a decent underarmor shirt.

As for the weapon sight it just depends on what you hope to do with it. The ACOG is a 4x magnifier IIRC and the aimpoint is a reflex sight.

ThePunisher · 12-03-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crewdog

As for the weapon sight it just depends on what you hope to do with it. The ACOG is a 4x magnifier IIRC and the aimpoint is a reflex sight.

Yeah I'm familiar with the ACOG. I just cant decide on which ACOG, the TA01NSN, or one of the TA31 models. I don't know much about the Aimpoints though. Thanks for the info about the BLSS kit.

Seraphim · 12-03-2005, 10:51 PM

If your going to get the ACOG, you wont have any money left!

ThePunisher · 12-03-2005, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by †Seraphim†

If your going to get the ACOG, you wont have any money left!

Yeah I understand. I'd try to get a used one or one off of ebay for around $700. If the optics weren't included in my budget though? We might get optics for our new A4's, so I wouldnt look at buying one until I found out for sure.

DnA · 12-03-2005, 11:13 PM

I've heard a lot of good things about the BLSS. I own a pair of danner acadias, they are an awesome pair of boots, can't go wrong with them. Optics, I woulden't worry to much about that, I'd assume you'd get them, especially being Infantry. Good pair of ballistic goggles(I like ESS) are good to have.

Probably get these issued, but kneepads and a camelbak are good to have.

Also, don't have to add combat infantryman, is there any other kind?

Beppo · 12-03-2005, 11:20 PM

Isn't the phrase "combat infantryman" strictly an Army term?
And, I could be wrong, but aren't Marines issued the Danners?

Just askin', is all...

TacoDelRio · 12-03-2005, 11:25 PM

Those BLSS kits, wish I had one. Normal PASGT suspension digs into your friggin skull.

I think the TA31 ACOG is USMC issue, so you might end up with that. Nice piece of glass! (or ass)

If you go with an Aimpoint-type optic, I'd personally suggest an EOTech if they let you mount it. It doesn't require a seperate mount, and you can get ones that accept AA batteries, which I'm sure may be in a bit more abundance than N or whatever style batteries. Plus the dman things cost about the same, within about $20 usually.

Good luck!

Daga · 12-03-2005, 11:29 PM

Are you being issued a Pasgat or the new Marine Corps lightweight helmet? With my Pasgat the BLSS was absolutely fantastic (i usually get major headaches with the old suspension system) - you might want to check if the blss will work with the gentex marine corps helment if that is what you are being issued... I just looked at it and it doesn't look like a mich - the suspension system looks like the pasgats...

Edit to add: Just found out marines are not being issued the new helmet on a large scale. That's pretty crap!

ThePunisher · 12-04-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beppo

Isn't the phrase "combat infantryman" strictly an Army term?
And, I could be wrong, but aren't Marines issued the Danners?

Just askin', is all...

Combat infantryman is more of an army term yes. Marines are not issued Danners though.

ThePunisher · 12-04-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daga

Are you being issued a Pasgat or the new Marine Corps lightweight helmet? With my Pasgat the BLSS was absolutely fantastic (i usually get major headaches with the old suspension system) - you might want to check if the blss will work with the gentex marine corps helment if that is what you are being issued... I just looked at it and it doesn't look like a mich - the suspension system looks like the pasgats...

Edit to add: Just found out marines are not being issued the new helmet on a large scale. That's pretty crap!

The Marine Corps is poor, so I have the old PASGAT helmet. A buddy of mine just got the BLSS kit but has not installed it yet. Chances are that if we do get optics, it will be only a few Marines per platoon or squad that are considered "Designated Marksmen" not all of us.

crazyman · 12-04-2005, 12:26 AM

here are some things i brought over or was issued by the unit that really came in handy

oakley M frames: your gonna want good eye pro, and wiley Xs suck.
gloves: the brigade issued tactical tailor impact ones, wore em constantly
good kneepads: again, from TT
taclight: easy way to signal oncoming LNs to git outa the area at night, among other things
underarmour shirts: duh
camelbak: went n got a hydration holder that worked with MOLLE, one less thing to worry about
ammo pouches: i happen to like blackhawks stuff, but thats just preferance

LBE: theres' a million out there. I happened to use TT stuff simply because its around here and i could go and play around with how i wanted to set up. my system was keep the essentials on the front, everything else was on the sides(MBITR, pouch for batteries, laser designator, etc)...and the stuff you arent gonna use much at all (aidbag, nods) went on a belt (normal TA50 belt that had my M9 and ammo on it) around the kidney area. jes how i happen to like it. this is probably dumbing it down but id suggest playin around with several ways to do things and figure out what you like. i liked having only things that went boom right in front of me, kept everything else out of the way.

as for optics, i had an M68 on my M4, but if i had it to do over again, id get either an EOtech, or one of the older ACOGs. the one without the low light setup(easily spotted by the rather large red stripe on the top of the new ones) i used both types, and i jes prefer the older ones more. also the older ones have iron sights on top, which helps out with room clearing some. the M68 aint bad at all, but if your gonna spend some money, those are the two i happened to like.

didnt mean to rant, hope some of this is usefull

Beppo · 12-04-2005, 12:30 AM

You won't really need to bring that many "comfort items" because the US has been there for so long there are PXs almost everywhere, selling anything from cold sodas & snacks to big screen TVs and the latest DVDs.
That said I recommend a couple rolls of toilet paper cause you never know when you'll need it.
Also, a Surefire flashlight. It's the only thing I used every single day out there...besides my porn collection.

James · 12-04-2005, 01:00 AM

Take a cooling neck wrap. They have these little crystals inside that absorb water and expand. They are wonderful on hot days.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH

I'm scared of wearing underarmor... I don't think it's very flame retardant. They also get stinky real quick.

ramy · 12-04-2005, 01:19 AM

If you do plan on purchasing some sort of optics for your rifle remember to keep your receipt.. I remember reading of a few cases of people bringing optics on their deployments and not being able to get them back because they cant prove that it belong to them.

12-03-2005, 10:37 PM	#1
ThePunisher Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 99	Deployment Gear Lets say that you have around $1,000 to $1,500 to spend on gear that you plan on deploying to Iraq within the next few months. You are a combat infantryman with a basic USMC loadout and nothing more. What would you spend your money on? The reason that I'm asking is because I am in this situation. I'm looking into the Oregon Aero BLSS kit (anyone have a review?), some Danner Boots(suggestions? looking into the Desert Acadia and Hot temperate USMC authorized boot), some optics for my new A4 (either Aimpoint or ACOG), and a few other comfort items. Does anyone have any suggestions as to whatelse I should look into? I did a basic search and did not find this topic. Sorry if it is a repost. Thanks for your help in advance.

12-03-2005, 10:46 PM	#2
Crewdog Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NW Washington Age: 37 Posts: 661	The helmet upgrade kit is a lifesafer man. I would highly recommend it. As well as a decent underarmor shirt. As for the weapon sight it just depends on what you hope to do with it. The ACOG is a 4x magnifier IIRC and the aimpoint is a reflex sight.

12-03-2005, 10:51 PM	#4
Seraphim trying to be celibate Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Curing The Sick With My Noodley Appendage Posts: 13,638	If your going to get the ACOG, you wont have any money left!

12-03-2005, 11:13 PM	#6
DnA Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 Age: 24 Posts: 2,162	I've heard a lot of good things about the BLSS. I own a pair of danner acadias, they are an awesome pair of boots, can't go wrong with them. Optics, I woulden't worry to much about that, I'd assume you'd get them, especially being Infantry. Good pair of ballistic goggles(I like ESS) are good to have. Probably get these issued, but kneepads and a camelbak are good to have. Also, don't have to add combat infantryman, is there any other kind?

12-03-2005, 11:20 PM	#7
Beppo Banned user Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BANNED FOR LIFE FROM MP.NET for being a total dork. Posts: 1,050	Isn't the phrase "combat infantryman" strictly an Army term? And, I could be wrong, but aren't Marines issued the Danners? Just askin', is all...

12-03-2005, 11:25 PM	#8
TacoDelRio d3t14 fr0c3 ftw!1! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,503	Those BLSS kits, wish I had one. Normal PASGT suspension digs into your friggin skull. I think the TA31 ACOG is USMC issue, so you might end up with that. Nice piece of glass! (or ass) If you go with an Aimpoint-type optic, I'd personally suggest an EOTech if they let you mount it. It doesn't require a seperate mount, and you can get ones that accept AA batteries, which I'm sure may be in a bit more abundance than N or whatever style batteries. Plus the dman things cost about the same, within about $20 usually. Good luck!

12-03-2005, 11:29 PM	#9
Daga Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Side! Posts: 295	Are you being issued a Pasgat or the new Marine Corps lightweight helmet? With my Pasgat the BLSS was absolutely fantastic (i usually get major headaches with the old suspension system) - you might want to check if the blss will work with the gentex marine corps helment if that is what you are being issued... I just looked at it and it doesn't look like a mich - the suspension system looks like the pasgats... Edit to add: Just found out marines are not being issued the new helmet on a large scale. That's pretty crap!

12-04-2005, 12:26 AM	#12
crazyman Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ft. Stewart, GA Age: 27 Posts: 663	here are some things i brought over or was issued by the unit that really came in handy oakley M frames: your gonna want good eye pro, and wiley Xs suck. gloves: the brigade issued tactical tailor impact ones, wore em constantly good kneepads: again, from TT taclight: easy way to signal oncoming LNs to git outa the area at night, among other things underarmour shirts: duh camelbak: went n got a hydration holder that worked with MOLLE, one less thing to worry about ammo pouches: i happen to like blackhawks stuff, but thats just preferance LBE: theres' a million out there. I happened to use TT stuff simply because its around here and i could go and play around with how i wanted to set up. my system was keep the essentials on the front, everything else was on the sides(MBITR, pouch for batteries, laser designator, etc)...and the stuff you arent gonna use much at all (aidbag, nods) went on a belt (normal TA50 belt that had my M9 and ammo on it) around the kidney area. jes how i happen to like it. this is probably dumbing it down but id suggest playin around with several ways to do things and figure out what you like. i liked having only things that went boom right in front of me, kept everything else out of the way. as for optics, i had an M68 on my M4, but if i had it to do over again, id get either an EOtech, or one of the older ACOGs. the one without the low light setup(easily spotted by the rather large red stripe on the top of the new ones) i used both types, and i jes prefer the older ones more. also the older ones have iron sights on top, which helps out with room clearing some. the M68 aint bad at all, but if your gonna spend some money, those are the two i happened to like. didnt mean to rant, hope some of this is usefull

12-04-2005, 12:30 AM	#13
Beppo Banned user Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BANNED FOR LIFE FROM MP.NET for being a total dork. Posts: 1,050	You won't really need to bring that many "comfort items" because the US has been there for so long there are PXs almost everywhere, selling anything from cold sodas & snacks to big screen TVs and the latest DVDs. That said I recommend a couple rolls of toilet paper cause you never know when you'll need it. Also, a Surefire flashlight. It's the only thing I used every single day out there...besides my porn collection.

12-04-2005, 01:00 AM	#14
James Molly747's husband. She kicks ass. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Collierville, Tennessee Age: 35 Posts: 10,381	Take a cooling neck wrap. They have these little crystals inside that absorb water and expand. They are wonderful on hot days. http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH I'm scared of wearing underarmor... I don't think it's very flame retardant. They also get stinky real quick.

12-04-2005, 01:19 AM	#15
ramy Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 963	If you do plan on purchasing some sort of optics for your rifle remember to keep your receipt.. I remember reading of a few cases of people bringing optics on their deployments and not being able to get them back because they cant prove that it belong to them.