Deployment Gear

[Cpl. Sense, Common]

I’m sure that this has been posted before but I feel that it is time for some updating, What self-bought gear (drop holsters, flashlights, iPods, ect) do you feel are essential for deployments? Being that there is gear that may be needed by some MOSs and not others please state your MOS field and whether you went to Iraq or Afghanistan. Also if you are so inclined please post where you bought the item so that others may also get the best gear possible. Some of our younger Marines, I am finding, are gearing up for deployments and are having a hard time deciding if a piece of gear is essential or dead weight.

[Cpl. Sense, Common]

Airwing Mech 6114/ TQ Iraq

-Flash lights are imperative if there is any chance of going on night crew and inspecting in general. Whats really important however is the flashlights size and what kind of battery it takes. AAs are pretty accessible and easy to find, but AAA are near impossible. Basically if you’re a Plane Captain or a Crew Chief you might as well bring your own batts in your sea bag just to be sure.

-iPods are indispensible, there will be a lot of down time both on the line and at the tents/boxes. I really recommend the ones that are capable of playing video. If you are easily bored then bring a lap top that you don’t mind leaving in country or breaking. As a plus when I was at TQ we had wireless in the tents.

-Three point slings are another good idea. Your not Ricky Recon so you don’t need much more than that and a butt stock mag pouch. If you feel that need get a laser sight or a broomstick (the additional handle that attaches to the rails on your M-16. The only reason that you need the three points sling is it just makes it easier to carry the weapon over any distance.

-Drop holsters are a great idea if you are going to be carrying a 9mil. But if you use those now a lot of commands are also requiring that you get a tactical battle belt that you wear over the uniform. The shoulder holsters are another option but how Marine Corps does that look?

-Battery power fans for when the power goes out in the middle of the day.

-Sun block. I know this seems obvious but there is always 1… being that sun burns are a way of life I recommend burn lotions. The best that I have found is Ocean Potion.

-If your unit doesn’t give you a camel pack… Get one, if it has a backpack even better. There will be times that you will have to go to a far and distant FOB for weeks. Its nice to be able to pack everything into a solitary, water bearing, bag of existence.

-5-50 chord is an item that should be in every Marines sea bag. Seriously why isn’t that issued in Boot?

-Multi tools aren’t allowed on the line right? Well I’m not telling you to bring it on the line, nor am I admitting that I ever used them on military A/C but understanding how versatile a tool it is I’ll let you decide if its something you might want to try on Zeus fasteners… in the shop of course.

-Flip Flops- I know that they are not allowed out of uniform so don’t post it. I am saying that a good pair (not issued) will be really good for walking back and forth to the head when you are off work.

-Towels are a necessity in Iraq Marines, don’t be an idiot and leave yours at home. Its been done. Oh it might also be a good idea to have that on the top of your carry on along with you hygiene gear for the trip over there. Some people forgot both of there items when I flew there.

-Wiley X sun glasses with the rubber garments. Sand storms suck, being blind sucks more, wear eye pro.

More to follow.

[Sgt2844USMC]

These are my personal things i brought.

- Laptop
- I POD
- Cash
- Towel
- bar of soap

Gear wise
- Drop Leg with M16 Mag pouches (i hate stuff on my flak, its a pain for me)
- Climbers D-Ring, I kept 2 on me, 1 for kevelar and one for anything else.
- 1 Point sling, i like that better than the 3 pt.

thats all i can think of for now. Common sense hit the rest.

[THORSHAMMER69]

This is a cool resource for everyone to have. I wish we had thought of doing a thread like this the last time I deployed. It would have made our lives easier.

I would contribute some ideas but I haven't deployed in a while (civilian now) so I would have no idea what to add.

Wait! There is one thing...toilet paper. You can never have enough toilet paper! LOL

[Cpl. Sense, Common]

Con’t
-I agree on the d rings, I forgot about those

-PT gear. I had a SgtMaj that felt like having us do a PFT, luckily the Officers out voted him. But its still a good idea to have some gear so you can go to the gym and what not.

-Pillow. You might want yours, cuz I forgot mine and it sucked.

-Board shorts and tshirts are the unofficial uniform when walking around can city. It’s the most comfortable thing I found in the heat.

-iPod portable speakers are nice to have in the shop and if you go on strip alert.

-pocket knife. You don’t need a KBAR there moto just a utility knife that you can open MREs with. Anything more is really overkill.

-Under Armor green tshirts are another good idea. Its hot. And when its not hot its cold. There is no middle ground in Iraq.

-Baby Wipes in my opinion are better then tp. its a muti purpose thing. If you need a shower, fight off swamp@$$ or the more traditional purpose baby wipes are the best.

-I really recommend setting up an allotment to a CD before you leave. The amount is up to you, but you will be making a good bit of money in theater and you will have few to no bills. Put the money away for a few years a prepare to buy a house or pay off those school loans.

More to follow

[Silver Fox]

-Flip Flops- I know that they are not allowed out of uniform so don’t post it. I am saying that a good pair (not issued) will be really good for walking back and forth to the head when you are off work.


Not USMC but I figure it's open to contribute to....

I know people hate them back in the states, but a pair of Crocs make REALLY awesome head/shower shoes, plus there semi-closed so if you're in a place where shit happens, they're easier to run in.

I bring enough socks/underwear to last two weeks generally, and have relatives send more in care packages. You can never have enough, especially if you're off base for 72 hours or more at a time.

AFAIK you can' t wear underarmor off base still, yes?

Airplane pillows, also make good HMMWV/MRAP pillows (in situations when you're authorized to sleep), not advocating sleeping when you're not supposed to.
If your NCOs and O's don't mind sleeping during hurry up and wait bullshit (like waiting in the terminal in kuwait to fly back stateside....) they work great for that too.

Agree with commonsense on the babywipes > TP, so much so that it's all I've used since 2003. :)

LED Light keychains, you can clip them to your flak, make great, easily accessible flashlights, and they're hard to lose.

Everything else has been covered I think. I'll post more if I remember it.

Someone said iPod speakers, iPod earbuds that slip around your ears to secure them in place are great for when you run by yourself for pt, stateside and overseas.

[Funkymustafa]

Damn it's been a while since I have posted here. In any event

0311/team leader

-MCI books. Unless you are that guy with the photographic memory that can retain every detail about every battalion-organic weapons system in his head 24-7. You never know when you might need the knowledge and you will have plenty of downtime.

-D-rings. Useful for attaching miscellaneous gear and also effective for making a 1 point sling when attached to your flak on the firing shoulder.

-No Blackhawk or gear-queer crap. All the $300 ballistic eyewear, gloves, pouches, mags, sights, etc. Useless and waste of money. With eyepro you are paying for the brand name, not performance. A $10 pair of safety glasses from a hardware store does the same thing and is certified to the same high velocity impact standards by the government. The issued gloves/pouches are fine. Drop pouches should be issued already to the MOS's that actually need them. Issued mags are fine. The only 3rd party ones I have ever tried were HK mags and they had constant feed problems. High speed sights, EOTechs, etc are a waste of money because your command is not going to let you use it in the first place unless you are MARSOC secret squirrel or something.

-Hydrastorm camelbak. Supply issued camelbaks are terrible compared to commercial variants. They hold less, are always rupturing or getting fucked up, the suction nozzle gets caked with sand/dust, etc.

-Thigh rigs are fine if you want to distribute weight load more evenly. Some people are more comfortable with it all on the chest though.

-A good Gerber or multitool, of course.

-Baby wipes, bore snakes, and dental picks for weapons cleaning. Baby wipes obviously are God's gift to mankind for weapons cleaning. Dental picks are extremely effective for scraping off and precision removal of carbon deposits especially on parts like the bolt and chamber well on rifles and the slide rails on the SAW.

-One of those Cordura mini pouches sized to hold notebooks. Can be bought from Rite in the Rain's website. Protects it from dust/sweat/moisture and also compacts it all so you dont have to rummage through pens, notebooks, folded up papers, etc in your pocket.

-Danner Marine boots. The most comfortable boots I have ever worn. They were well worth the $200 bucks. I have a buddy who did 4 years active, two tours to Iraq and one in Honduras, got out in 06 and is still wearing his same pair of Danners. If you are going to be on your feet a lot they are awesome.

-550 cord is the Marine Corps version of duct tape. Useful for everything.

-I am not really a fan of buttstock pouches as I prefer to have less weight on the weapon, not more. But if you are comfortable with it, that's all that matters.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head.

[Silver Fox]

Agree about the blackhawk shit. My favorite gloves are the standard nomex flight gloves.

- A roll of 90MPH tape. Can't believe I didn't put that earlier.
- A few zip ties of various sizes, can be used as flexicuffs in a pinch if you're out, but are also great for securing loose gear, and in some cases broken gear. We had a number of M249's with plastic pieces ziptied together.

Can anyone recommend good knee/elbow pads? The issue ones I get continually are freaking horrible. Yeah, yeah, I realize an AF guy asking for knee pad recommendations is going to draw some shit eating grins and snickers. Laugh it up you assholes. :D

[garhkal]

-Pillow. You might want yours, cuz I forgot mine and it sucked.

-I really recommend setting up an allotment to a CD before you leave. The amount is up to you, but you will be making a good bit of money in theater and you will have few to no bills. Put the money away for a few years a prepare to buy a house or pay off those school loans.

More to follow

Let me echo the pillow part. ALSO don't forget other aspects of bedding. Unless you get the more 'modern like' cans like htey have in Al-asad, where bedding is part of the room, you sleep on a bare matress..And that sucks.
As to the CD, i personally used the extra cash to A) invest in a bond, say a 500 a month while there, and B) go into the warrior savings plan. Gives 10% interest a year, and with you marines going for 14 months iirc it pays off.


-Hydrastorm camelbak. Supply issued camelbaks are terrible compared to commercial variants. They hold less, are always rupturing or getting fucked up, the suction nozzle gets caked with sand/dust, etc.

I disagree. I have had 4 over my course of being in the navy. 1 i bought myself for running when i was in london, and 3 issued. Only 1, the one i got out on the economy has ever ruptured.

[PACCHIN55]

-Notebook computer. Small enough to fit in your Assault pack. It's sad seeing so many soldiers with a notebook comp so big that it requires it's own carrying case and that's just one more thing you have to carry and slow you down. Please don't bring a carrying case for your notebook, just make room for it in your assault/ruck sack. Oh and an external hard drive. Internet is hard to come by and always slow but you can always swap files and movies with other soldiers. Just make sure not to get one that requires it's own power source. Again, more shit to carry and that extra power outlet just to power your hard drive may not be available.

-hybrid running-hiking shoes for wearing in PTs. Technically not allowed but some of these shoes look so much like running shoes that no one will call you out. The difference is the reinforced sole and outer cover. They won't get torn up and are a lot more comfortable since you'll hardly feel the rough gravel under your feet.

-Tactical Gear- If you are in the Army then NOTHING. I am in the reserve component and even I feel I was issued way too much gear. CIF and ADO will issue you everything you need and more than you want to have. Most of it just weighs you down and makes it harder to travel around. A lot of people listed a multitool/gerber, the Army will issue one at CIF, heck I got three issued to me! (one at my unit, one at CIF, and one in a cleaning kit I was issued). A flashlight wasn't standard issue but I was able to work a drug deal and acquire a surefire from my supply NCO.

-Large double size duffel bag with wheels. They sell these at some PXs. Soft case, about twice as wide as the standard duffel bags, and comes with three offroad style wheels so you can pull it around.

-Sleeping blinds. To wear over your eyes when you sleep. Chances are you won't have your own room so the lights may not always be out when you need them to be.

-Extra sets of PTs, boxer briefs, white socks. There really isn't much to do on a FOB except go to the gym so you'll probably go through a lot of these between laundry loads.

-Reflective Belt. If you are coming to Afghanistan, chances are you'll be coming through Bagram and these are mandatory here. If you are Army, the PT belt must be worn in PTs at all times and it must be worn with all uniforms at night for all services.


Some regrets... I bought a $200 assault pack, it's a nice pack but the Army issued me a ruck sack and a three day assault pack so it really wasn't necessary.

Camelback- If you are on the fob most of the time, bottled water is everywhere you look. You won't need to wear a hydration system. Oh, the Army issues you one also.


Less is better. Kind of ironic that soldiers used to complain about not having enough equipment on their deployments. Now the Army issues you too much gear, regardless of your MOS, they'll gear you up like you are infantry.

[Cpl. Sense, Common]

Originally Posted by PACCHIN55
-Reflective Belt. If you are coming to Afghanistan, chances are you'll be coming through Bagram and these are mandatory here. If you are Army, the PT belt must be worn in PTs at all times and it must be worn with all uniforms at night for all services.


Wait so they make you wear glowing/reflective targets at night in a warzone…? A sniper’s dream; now not only can he sneak onto base under cover of darkness he has marked shiny targets walking around. Nice. Im staying away from that base!

[airman medic]

All I can add to these posts is this: Bring extras of EVERYTHING. Even if they tell you there's a BX out there. Even if you're not going to a FOB. If you're going out of country, bring an extra of everything. I guarantee, if you don't, that's what you'll break/lose and it won't be available where you are.

[Sgt_3D]

One thing that has helped me is to set up your own morale package. Get all the brand-name items you might not be able to get while deployed. Get a box or two packed up and leave it with some co-workers. When you get to your deployed location send them your address. Most morale packages can be shipped for free. This saves you space in your bags and also allows you to get the products and items you want.

-Sgt 3D

[VFCRUZ]

all good suggestions. I would like to recommend the following.
if you are going to Afghanistan, hydrate two days prior to entering elevation and bring tylenol or whatever for the altitude headaches you will have your first week there. also bring a tube of neosporin, any nick you get can get nasty if not quickly cleaned and dressed. thats good for the hills or Iraq.
when you get in country go to the local bulletin boards and see what you can buy from the out going units. you will find you can get great deals on electronics and most of the time they will do just fine.

one last thing... bring only what you can carry, its amazing how much you will be sending home towards the end of your deployment.

travel light my friends and be safe.

[KCSB66]

I Recommend That Every Marine Being Deployed To Afghanistan Have Their Family Send Them Boxes To Their Makeshift Camps As Opposed To Sending Them To The Base. It Is Easier On The Marine This Way He Doesn't Have To Get Rid Of These Items Because They Dont Fit In His Packs. Essential Items In Boxes Should Include Baby Wipes, Dri Fit Socks, Batteries, Razors, Deodorant, Spray For Athletes Foot, Canned Goods To Eat, Can Opener, Plastic Utensils, Beef Jerky, Cereal, Parmalat Milk(in The Canned Milk Section), Protein Bars, Cookies, Etc. Having An Ipod Is A Must If You Can Afford One, Our Loved Ones Need To Get Letters From Home This Keeps Them Going. Anyone Is Open To Email Me With Questions About All The Above. I Sent So Many Things That Are Not Listed. Gear Is The Most Important But Having Some Decent Food Is Important. During The Holidays Example Christmas, Is Sent Santa Hats, Candy Canes, Minature Christmas Trees, Xmas Lollipops, Blank Cards So That My Marine Could Give Cards To His Fellow, Marines. Christmas Cookies Etc. Get Creative And It Helps Our Marines Get Through The Holidays Away From Home.

[GruntCapt]

- The current CIF issued hydration system is my favorite so far (made by Source Hydration), I like being able to use the top opening to fill it to max capacity. Never had an issue with sand or dust in the nozzle, either.

- For mounted ops, I'm a big fan of a kneeboard like this one (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/1782%3Futm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26u tm_campaign%3Dbase&fr=AB453oYt84hriSLiL9PsOiPJM1aYLCgv3z22v3Tbw8fiP7y sZZMcSKwJQfeyQZM06KOQ0CSM3wQ4k8K8pqvP2IV_R4p3hmnRW tJff5StW_lZL76ZwiwwrUSNIi6AR7ekJqlVVlbmtHy7m2_kPtX M8vC36VnOO-BJW1Fzyx7HsdZL_T_FzInpgfi_QoxkONfsPgAAAAAAAAAA&ei=LNxxSpbBBJi4NKutzLAM&sig2=w8L6-ufII_bpc2qU4oIujg&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title) for keeping checklists and report formats handy. The rings will fit pages from a Flightcrew Checklist, just use Excel or Powerpoint to print up your necessary formats and pop them in. Great item for any VCs out there.

- I also like to hang on to one of the crappy cloth bandoleers that the 5.56mm ball ammo comes in and hang it on the dashboard of my vehicle for keeping smartpacks, map pens, etc.

- If you're issued a pistol, I like to use a belt holster for carrying it around the FOB, COP, COB, whatever. Drop holsters annoy me. I also picked up an adapter to put my holster on my flak.

- The Surefire helmet light is great for operating inside a vehicle in the dark, SSE, etc. Just make sure you use the "disable" feature when you don't need it, the switch has a tendency to get tripped at moments when you don't want it to. Mine caught on a radio antenna while in an OP once.

- A good headlamp is great around the FOB. I walked into a "knife rest" while stumbling around FOB Asadabad a few years back, and have kept a headlamp handy ever since. It's particularly great if you have to do pre-op checks and PCC/PCIs on your vehicle, CSWs, radios, etc. at night.

- I would have given my right arm for a bednet last deployment. Our COP was crawling with little sand fleas, biting gnats, or some such. I got eaten alive every night for about two months. CTEP has them, just make sure your command requests them.

- A good folding knife. Automatics might look sexy, but they get gummed up with sand. I took my favorite automatic knife last year, and just a few weeks of riding around in the back of Bradley Fighting Vehicles did it in for the rest of the deployment.

- As for boots, I'm a huge fan of the Garmont T8s (http://www.extremeoutfitters.us/t8tacticaljunglebootgarmont.aspx). I put a few hundred kilometers on a pair of Garmonts on my 2006 deployment with no issues. They are light, comfortable, and breathe well.

[Fobbit_000]

A small AAA keychain light: Fenix E01 or Gerber Tempo is perfect for rummaging through gear, navigating through a bay and similar functions.

I was never issued a multi-tool and ended up buying one - I prefer Gerber for the smooth grip and "one-hand flick" opening feature. They aren't as tough as a SOG or Leatherman, but mine lasted me two years before I gave it away.

A decent pocket knife - you aren't John J., so don't sport a Bowie the size of your thigh and not so expensive that you'll go into hysterics if you lose it. A Benchmade mini-grip or M16-13Z, for example, will be just fine.

For FOB life, definitely a 3-point sling and buttstock pouch, but I was sporting an A2. High speed M4 users and combat troops will probably have different ideas.

I love my Surefire flashlights, but CR123 batteries aren't cheap and if your unit isn't going to supply your habit, you might want to think about something a little more practical for daily use - a $10 Mini Mag is better than nothing and a $20 Mini Mag LED is better still for general work use and late night latrine runs. And if you think you won't need a flashlight of some sort, try fumbling through a company's worth of luggage at 0200, piled between T-walls.

If you're a geardo and don't mind spending a little money, look at some LED drop-in modules for Surefire flashlights - I'm partial to the Malkoff models. The M60LL gives 8 hours of solid run time on two CR123s.

A non-white light - off the shelf, the Gerber Infinity in red will do the trick and runs on a single AA battery.

Swing by a sporting goods store and look into some cold weather gear to wear under your uniform - it can and will get freaking cold. GI gear doesn't always cut it - I ended up wearing civilian thermal undies from the PX in addition to my brown poly.

Recreationally - an ipod/mp3 player and ear phones. If you know you're FOB bound for a while, a portable hard drive. You will be sharing files with your buddies.

**I can't stress this enough. Before you go nuts on a shopping spree, check your MOS, check your unit and check your mission. I had a huge amount of leeway in what I wanted to carry. Other units, by necessity, may impose different restrictions and requirements.

Good luck and stay safe.

[garhkal]

Wait so they make you wear glowing/reflective targets at night in a warzone…? A sniper’s dream; now not only can he sneak onto base under cover of darkness he has marked shiny targets walking around. Nice. Im staying away from that base!

Yup. When i was in Fallujah, we had to not only wear reflective belts when outside of our compound at night, but also carry a flashlight.


when you get in country go to the local bulletin boards and see what you can buy from the out going units. you will find you can get great deals on electronics and most of the time they will do just fine.

One of the guys i worked with when in Fallujah, got a bike (12 speed), helmet and CD player to listen to while biking around the base for 60 bucks... So i can attest to checking that board.!


- A good folding knife. Automatics might look sexy, but they get gummed up with sand. I took my favorite automatic knife last year, and just a few weeks of riding around in the back of Bradley Fighting Vehicles did it in for the rest of the deployment.

I prefer leathermans. Not only do they have good knives, but the extra tools on them come in real handy when working at night away from your normal tool kits.



I was never issued a multi-tool and ended up buying one - I prefer Gerber for the smooth grip and "one-hand flick" opening feature. They aren't as tough as a SOG or Leatherman, but mine lasted me two years before I gave it away.

Gerbers are great, i will give you that, but compared to a Leatherman, the pouches rip easier.

[INJUNGRUNT]

Here's my take on this. There a very few things that you absolutely NEED on deployment. Notice, I am coming from a grunt's viewpoint. I don't know that POG's need anything.
1. A good sturdy CamelBack. Not the issued one. Mine was never used and leaked.
2. Knee pads. I bought Blackhawk. Bracnd don't matter. Just get good ones.
3. A good knife. Kabar is good. A small Kabar is better. Don't go crazy and by something huge. You drop it as soon as you start jumping in and out of vehicles or doing foot patrols for hours on end.
4. Gloves. The issued Nomex were and always will be my favorite.
5. Shades. Good but inexpensive. They'll be useless by the time you get home.
6. A watch. Every Marine should have one anway.
7. 550 cord and green\black duct tape. Need I say more.
8. Last but not least, a good, quality, durable, sturdy pair of boots. My company was allowed wearing whatever boot we wanted to buy as long as they were tan. I bought a pair of Magnumz and they were the most comfortable, light, durable boots I have every owned. They lasted a whole deployment of doing nothing but foot patrols. Treat your feet right and they'll treat you right.