When referring to Combat Operations, What is the best piece of equipment(military/civilian) that helped you through deployment?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:08:44 -0500

I know many have deployed and there are alot of "gear junkies" 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:<div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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 "Owh well a real human can make a better split second decision" 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.</div></div><div><br></div><div>Of course a number one thing that also helped me through deployment is internet, if we had it...</div>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 2:28 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:28:48 -0500

SSG Ledbetter,

Huey medical transports accompanied by Cobra gunships for unfriendly fire suppression.

Compact encrypted satellite radiotelephone with integrated UHF/HF transceiver backup.

M1911, M60, M18 Smoke, M203, M18A1 Claymore, Ka-Bar, C4, Mk22 Mod0 Hush Puppy.

Active or Ex- NCO Seals, Marines, Army or other experienced special forces security detail.

In any active negotiation, anything the opposition wants badly enough to be cooperative.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 2:45 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:45:18 -0500

<p>As a CH-47 Mechanic, these are mine:</p><p><br></p><p>1.) Leatherman SURGE or SOG EOD Multitools.  Many components and subcomponents can be removed using a multitool.</p><p><br></p><p>2.) LED Headlamp (any manufacturer).  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!</p><p><br></p><p>3.) Knife.  Either a folder or sheath-knife, having a cutting tool handy is essential.  I'm not talking about the giant Rambo knives-- just big enough to cut through thick cardboard or slice packing straps.</p><p><br></p><p>4.) iPod Touch: for off-duty downtime, having all your music in a small package gives you a few minutes of relaxation.</p><p><br></p><p>5.) Compact Digital Camera: For all those maintenance anomalies that you just can't explain, a picture often explains it.</p>

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 9 at 2014 2:55 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:55:43 -0500

<p>1.  good knife (small fixed blade, folding, or multi-tool variety), </p><p>2.  Roll of toilet paper (in Ziploc bag), and/or small package of baby butt wipes</p><p>3.  550 cord, </p><p>4.  flashlight (have to admit, starting to go the way of the headlamps, leaving me hands free for anything else!</p><p>5.  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!)</p>

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 9 at 2014 7:06 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 19:06:57 -0500

1. A good field knife; fixed blade or folder. You just never know when you'll need to cut 550 cord, engineer tape, commo wire, a rifle sling, rucksack straps, etc. <br><br>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. <br>

Response by SPC Michael Martinez made Apr 4 at 2014 4:15 PM

SPC Michael Martinez — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:15:01 -0400

Letters from home!

Response by LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) made Apr 25 at 2014 2:10 PM

LTC Dr Richard Wasserman, LTC (R) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:10:55 -0400

My DVD player.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 3:14 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:14:45 -0400

The Buffalo! Hands down!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_(mine_protected_vehicle)

Buffalo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Response by Sgt Robert Katelhut made Apr 26 at 2014 1:49 PM

Sgt Robert Katelhut — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 13:49:29 -0400

My mind NVGs, M40a1, Gps, and my pancho liner.

Response by SPC Wayne Hamilton made May 22 at 2014 3:28 PM

SPC Wayne Hamilton — Thu, 22 May 2014 15:28:11 -0400

While never deployed into combat as a soldier, i spent four years in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.

My answer to the OP is "good boots!"

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 13 at 2014 3:31 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:31:28 -0400

Thank God for the multi-tool (Leatherman or any brand will do)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 10:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 22:07:36 -0400

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's advantages can augment the other's weaknesses.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 13 at 2014 11:14 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 23:14:00 -0400

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 & discard, because in my experience, the sand NEVER gets fully removed from the garments.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 14 at 2014 12:33 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:33:29 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 12:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:36:31 -0400

The Sapper in me is going to det cord and c4, but I would also have to say sat phone and my trusty compass

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 14 at 2014 3:36 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:36:04 -0400

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.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 14 at 2014 3:48 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:48:17 -0400

The "woobie" and my supply-issued Benchmade automatic pocketknife.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 9:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 21:41:39 -0400

Coffee Pot. Starbucks.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Oct 31 at 2014 6:29 PM

SSG Tim Everett — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 18:29:04 -0400

Baby wipes, a woobie, and my Scooby-Doo sheets.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 5 at 2015 10:30 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 05 May 2015 10:30:13 -0400

Equipment: M9 and Blackhawk Serpa holster.

Personally: any and all forms of tabacco, RipIts, Books.