What is your opinion of MILES gear?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:30:52 -0400

What is your opinion of MILES gear? How effective was/is it for your training? How reliable is it?

Response by SGT David T. made May 20 at 2015 10:35 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:35:10 -0400

You all still use this? Personally, I think that it is not effective at all. It is too easy to remove a battery or hide behind a small pine tree to block the laser. I always thought that paintball would be far more effective even though it will not penetrate either, but at least an OC can see and make an admin kill.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 20 at 2015 10:36 AM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:36:47 -0400

I liked the old stuff....I could "snipe" people by taking the transmitter off my weapon and tapping the sensor on the end.

Didn't work with the new stuff.

Overall, I'd say paintball is a better way to practice tactics at the platoon level and below.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:40:17 -0400

A hunk of junk. Like of others, paintball...I'd rather take paintball bruises over crappy training equipment!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:40 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:40:22 -0400

I had a pretty positive experience ONE time. The gear up time was horrendous, but the training even was only for our platoon, so honor system was mostly in effect, because we really want to see each other's strengths. This was basic, so it was our first opportunity to actually use the m16s/m4s in a combat-like scenario.

Can't say I learned a whole lot, but it really gave me the mindset I would really need for the training exercises that followed. Never used the MILES gear outside of basic.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 10:49 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 10:49:02 -0400

MILES gear is a tool, it is a subjective tool and depending on the commander it can be used to provide useful feedback. However I would like to see the Army switch to a paintball type munition, maybe sim rounds.

I think using simunitions or paintballs would provide better feedback for force on force engagements. And as some have stated give the OCs a better visual on who got hit and where. Plus if you use 2 colors Red and Blue it would be able to identify incidents of fratricide and help better prevent it.

I believe there is always a better way ahead. But it comes down to funding and commanders and leaders at all levels becoming familiar and comfortable with the tool. MILES gear is still a good tool in the kit though.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 20 at 2015 11:09 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:09:04 -0400

Crap. Can I write "crap" on RP? Sorry, but there is no other word to describe this waste of budget money. Basically, this gear allowed for a grown-up version of "Cowboys & Indians" (probably not "PC" either) --you know where the conversation goes something like this:
"Hey, I got you."
"No, you didn't."
"Dude, you took the batteries out!"
BAMM!
beep-beep-beep-beep...

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 20 at 2015 11:17 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:17:31 -0400

Use MILES or something like paintball?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 20:02:15 -0400

I hate the stuff personally, but it is a great trainnig tool for large scale excercises. For small unit excercises, UTMs (Ultimate Training Munitions) and Simmunitions are the way to go for Soldiers. Pain has a way of teaching you to use proper movement techniques!

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made May 21 at 2015 2:24 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:24:57 -0400

Paintball would be better since you can't hid being a bush to avoid getting shot. They make really good tactical paintball markers too.