SFC Private RallyPoint Member 54378 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know many have deployed and there are alot of &quot;gear junkies&quot; out there, but what is the one thing, or multiple things that you believe helped you through deployment? For me, here are a few things:&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;1: The Combat Action Tourniquet, by far one of the proven life saving devices as we found out that bleeding of the extremities was the number one source of battle deaths.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;2: The Garmin Foretrex 401, simply put it takes all the abilities and features of your Old School PLGR and Newer DAGR and puts it right on your wrist. This came extremely in handy for me while on Dismounted Patrols in the dangerous region of Wardak, Afghanistan. 10 digit grid immediately! Plotting your Waypoints and Areas of Interests have never been easier.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;3: The CROWS System, no need to put the gunner in harms way anymore. Extremely accurate and not to mention better vision at night(Thermal) yes many may not like it and say &quot;Owh well a real human can make a better split second decision&quot; but in reality, its a great design and keeps our gunners safe from sniper fire and/or Grenades being dropped in the hatch from overpasses and such.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Of course a number one thing that also helped me through deployment is internet, if we had it...&lt;/div&gt; 2014-02-09T14:08:44-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 54378

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I know many have deployed and there are alot of &quot;gear junkies&quot; out there, but what is the one thing, or multiple things that you believe helped you through deployment? For me, here are a few things:&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;1: The Combat Action Tourniquet, by far one of the proven life saving devices as we found out that bleeding of the extremities was the number one source of battle deaths.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;2: The Garmin Foretrex 401, simply put it takes all the abilities and features of your Old School PLGR and Newer DAGR and puts it right on your wrist. This came extremely in handy for me while on Dismounted Patrols in the dangerous region of Wardak, Afghanistan. 10 digit grid immediately! Plotting your Waypoints and Areas of Interests have never been easier.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;3: The CROWS System, no need to put the gunner in harms way anymore. Extremely accurate and not to mention better vision at night(Thermal) yes many may not like it and say &quot;Owh well a real human can make a better split second decision&quot; but in reality, its a great design and keeps our gunners safe from sniper fire and/or Grenades being dropped in the hatch from overpasses and such.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Of course a number one thing that also helped me through deployment is internet, if we had it...&lt;/div&gt;

2014-02-09T14:08:44-05:00 2014-02-09T14:08:44-05:00 1LT Private RallyPoint Member 54391

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><div>SSG Ledbetter,</div><div><br></div>Huey medical transports accompanied by Cobra gunships for unfriendly fire suppression.<div><br></div><div>Compact encrypted satellite radiotelephone with integrated UHF/HF transceiver backup.<div><br /><div><br></div><br /><div>M1911, M60, M18 Smoke, M203, M18A1 Claymore, Ka-Bar, C4, Mk22 Mod0 Hush Puppy.</div><br /><div><br></div><br /><div>Active or Ex- NCO Seals, Marines, Army or other experienced special forces security detail.</div><br /><div><br></div><br /><div>In any active negotiation, anything the opposition wants badly enough to be cooperative.</div><br /><div><br></div><br /><div>Warmest Regards, Sandy</div><br /><div><br></div><br /></div><br /></div>

2014-02-09T14:28:48-05:00 2014-02-09T14:28:48-05:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 54400

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;p&gt;As a CH-47 Mechanic, these are mine:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;1.) Leatherman SURGE or SOG EOD Multitools.&amp;nbsp; Many components and subcomponents can be removed using a multitool.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2.) LED Headlamp (any manufacturer).&amp;nbsp; When you need light in a confined space, and both hands to do the job, having a bright light that shines where you look is critical!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3.) Knife.&amp;nbsp; Either a folder or sheath-knife, having a cutting tool handy is essential.&amp;nbsp; I&#39;m not talking about the giant Rambo knives-- just big enough to cut through thick cardboard or slice packing straps.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4.) iPod Touch: for off-duty downtime, having all your music in a small package gives you a few minutes of relaxation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5.) Compact Digital Camera: For all those maintenance anomalies that you just can&#39;t explain, a picture often explains it.&lt;/p&gt;

2014-02-09T14:45:18-05:00 2014-02-09T14:45:18-05:00 Maj Chris Nelson 54407

<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-1431"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fwhen-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=When+referring+to+Combat+Operations%2C+What+is+the+best+piece+of+equipment%28military%2Fcivilian%29+that+helped+you+through+deployment%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fwhen-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AWhen referring to Combat Operations, What is the best piece of equipment(military/civilian) that helped you through deployment?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="090078b47757e1b29cb952d46c6af23d" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/001/431/for_gallery_v2/DSCF0053.JPG"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/001/431/large_v3/DSCF0053.JPG" alt="Dscf0053" /></a></div></div>&lt;p&gt;1.&amp;nbsp; good knife (small fixed blade, folding, or multi-tool variety), &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;2.&amp;nbsp; Roll of toilet paper (in Ziploc bag), and/or small package of baby butt wipes&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;3.&amp;nbsp; 550 cord, &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;4.&amp;nbsp; flashlight (have to admit, starting to go the way of the headlamps, leaving me hands free for anything else!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;5.&amp;nbsp; Small stuffed bear (given to me by my sister, has been to desert storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, including all the fob hopping that I did all over Afghanistan!)&lt;/p&gt;

2014-02-09T14:55:43-05:00 2014-02-09T14:55:43-05:00 SFC Stephen P. 54516

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>1. A good field knife; fixed blade or folder. You just never know when you&#39;ll need to cut 550 cord, engineer tape, commo wire, a rifle sling, rucksack straps, etc. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;2. A cheap little wrist-watch mounted compass (mounted on my cheap wrist watch) made setting up the satellite radio antenna a lot more convenient. &lt;br&gt;

2014-02-09T19:06:57-05:00 2014-02-09T19:06:57-05:00 SPC Michael Martinez 93700

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Letters from home!

2014-04-04T16:15:01-04:00 2014-04-04T16:15:01-04:00 LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) 111149

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My DVD player.

2014-04-25T14:10:55-04:00 2014-04-25T14:10:55-04:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 111185

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Buffalo! Hands down! <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_(mine_protected_vehicle)">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_(mine_protected_vehicle)</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_">Buffalo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description"></p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div>

2014-04-25T15:14:45-04:00 2014-04-25T15:14:45-04:00 Sgt Robert Katelhut 112057

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My mind NVGs, M40a1, Gps, and my pancho liner.

2014-04-26T13:49:29-04:00 2014-04-26T13:49:29-04:00 SPC Wayne Hamilton 132567

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>While never deployed into combat as a soldier, i spent four years in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.<br /><br />My answer to the OP is &quot;good boots!&quot;

2014-05-22T15:28:11-04:00 2014-05-22T15:28:11-04:00 MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca 153457

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Thank God for the multi-tool (Leatherman or any brand will do)

2014-06-13T15:31:28-04:00 2014-06-13T15:31:28-04:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 160460

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The three you mentioned are great examples of products/technologies that make a real difference. As for criticisms of the CROWS, I think the best option is to combine its use with standard turrets 50/50 in vehicle formations, where each system&#39;s advantages can augment the other&#39;s weaknesses.

2014-06-21T22:07:36-04:00 2014-06-21T22:07:36-04:00 SGT Richard H. 203280

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My mom sending me a box of socks and underwear every week. Never have to wash that stuff in a waterproof bag again...just wear &amp; discard, because in my experience, the sand NEVER gets fully removed from the garments.

2014-08-13T23:14:00-04:00 2014-08-13T23:14:00-04:00 SFC Mark Merino 203390

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I loved my Camelbak. VS-17 panel never left my helmet in 20 years. Buttpack was always full of crap I needed. Signal devices. Space blanket. P-38/B-52 back in the day.......too many to name really.

2014-08-14T00:33:29-04:00 2014-08-14T00:33:29-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 203394

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Sapper in me is going to det cord and c4, but I would also have to say sat phone and my trusty compass

2014-08-14T00:36:31-04:00 2014-08-14T00:36:31-04:00 SFC Mark Merino 203994

<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-7040"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fwhen-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=When+referring+to+Combat+Operations%2C+What+is+the+best+piece+of+equipment%28military%2Fcivilian%29+that+helped+you+through+deployment%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fwhen-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AWhen referring to Combat Operations, What is the best piece of equipment(military/civilian) that helped you through deployment?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/when-referring-to-combat-operations-what-is-the-best-piece-of-equipment-military-civilian-that-helped-you-through-deployment" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="16f10a237d6eddb1834d30c6aa883da6" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/007/040/for_gallery_v2/72900_700x700_1_.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/007/040/large_v3/72900_700x700_1_.jpg" alt="72900 700x700 1 " /></a></div></div>No lie...It's called "Anti-Monkey Butt itch powder". I gave it to the poor pilots who were starting to walk like the Duke.

2014-08-14T15:36:04-04:00 2014-08-14T15:36:04-04:00 1LT Nick Kidwell 204012

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The "woobie" and my supply-issued Benchmade automatic pocketknife.

2014-08-14T15:48:17-04:00 2014-08-14T15:48:17-04:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 204405

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Coffee Pot. Starbucks.

2014-08-14T21:41:39-04:00 2014-08-14T21:41:39-04:00 SSG Tim Everett 304079

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Baby wipes, a woobie, and my Scooby-Doo sheets.

2014-10-31T18:29:04-04:00 2014-10-31T18:29:04-04:00 SSG Carlos Madden 642664

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Equipment: M9 and Blackhawk Serpa holster.<br /><br />Personally: any and all forms of tabacco, RipIts, Books.

2015-05-05T10:30:13-04:00 2015-05-05T10:30:13-04:00 2014-02-09T14:08:44-05:00