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More Letters from the MOB
By John
Charlie's letter writing campaign continues....
Well, I’ve got a bit of down time and I thought that I’d fire off an e-mail to you, John. Let’s call this one “logistics.”
The Army has changed, and I’ve only been in it two-plus years (not counting VMI). My S3 and I jokingly refer to the current uniform standards here at mob station as the “Continental Army”: show up with a uniform and a good set of teeth and we’ll give you a weapon! What do I mean by this? The Army recently switched from the BDU uniform it adopted in the 80’s to the new ACU uniform (a digital “urban” color). The problem is, not everyone has got the all of the uniforms yet, plus, all of the TA-50 and other issued equipment remains in the old BDU/OD Green patter. So what you get in formation is a group of people that look anything but “uniform,” and there’s not much that anyone can do about it.
My take, after being out in the field, is that both uniforms have merit: the BDU is tough and durable, and the ACU is *much* cooler, dries out quicker, and has more convenient pockets than the BDU. The problems are that the ACU doesn’t hold up well to field training (I broke a zipper the first time I hit the deck in an indirect fire drill,) and that the BDU is still pretty hot, holding the heat of the sun due to its darker color. Also, my pair of black jungle boots, which got me through the 12 mile ruck at Air Assault school a couple weeks back, are as comfortable as tennis shoes –but you can’t wear black boots with ACUs, although you can wear tan boots with BDUs. Make sense?
So everyone show up to training wearing whatever uniform they want, whichever pair of boots they want, whatever color T-shirt they want, with their ACU/OD colored equipment.
Now that I got the observations out of the way, here are the complaints: This place is freaking hot, and the damned body armor I’m moving around in isn’t helping out. It’s been at heat cat-5 for the past few days, and it is a daily struggle to keep myself hydrated. I’ve never gone down with a heat injury before, and I don’t intend on doing so now, but *damn.*
Staff work hasn’t really started yet, as we are still in the “individual” mode of training. I’ve got a M9 as my primary, which is nice after all those years with a 16. I look forward to getting out on the range with it. I’m looking for a good shoulder holster for it –any suggestions, anyone?
I’ve been keeping fairly busy, but I hold on to the hope that work will begin to taper off as we get into our routine here. Our collective tasks remain far out on the horizon, and I’m heading to the field for a couple days. In conclusion, I miss my girlfriend, and my family, but now is not the time to despair, but the time to dig in, keep your chin up, and drive on.
PS: I’m thinking of doing some video-blogging here, but I’ve got OPSEC concerns. I’ve got the equipment to pull it off, but I remain undecided on it.
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Comments
If you have OPSEC concerns, then just don't.
I had an awesome drop leg holster by safariland that I used on missions. Freakin' sweet rig. As far as the shoulder holster goes? I'd wait till you get in country, hadji has a lot of really good leather shoulder holsters for $10 or less if you feel like haggling. Which I recomend as they consider it an art form and will win you boucou respect from the sand people.
Watch your six and carry a small bottle of purell hand sanitizer as well.
JHC is right, I've had friends tell me about the craziest magazine problems. Makes me wish for a good old 1911.
I'm surprised you're not seeing any folks show up in DCUs as well, or even GW1-era "chocolate chips."
Regarding OPSEC, my personal policy was to not post pictures until after redeployment and then avoid showing nametags where possible. Just about everyone who shows up in my OIF-1 pictures redeployed with me if not before.
Galco, it's hard to beat the durability, but it really only works when your not wearing armour. I tried the MOLLE strap chest holsters, but it is no good if you go to ground. The Blackhawk drop-leg rigs are okay, but wear it on a seperate belt as in a rigger's belt, because after several hours it will really irritate the waistline and the riggers belt is much better when you run as it doesn't yank on your trousers. The downside to the Blackhawk is it can roll around to the front of your leg on occasion with running, but it still sits high enough to function. Galco shoulder riggs are still the best and match the coyote brown well enough.
While I do think that the un-uniform thing has gone a bit far, I will happily admit to loving being able to wear my desert boots in BDUs - they are a lot more comfy and I don't have to shine them.
When we went from the "pajama fatiques" (aka permanent press) to the BDUs the same problems occurred, except for the boots (circa '82-'83). But we weren't allowed to wear jungle boots. There was also a similar drill where some units wanted everyone to be in the "starch" fatiques to be uniform when the permanent press were coming out (circa 76-78). Then there was the Viet Nam jungle fatiques that were "found" in the warehouses and put out for sale to be an interim from the "hot weather" BDUs and the regular BDUs.
Nothing upsets the garrison soldier like too many different uniforms in a formation.
While never having a M9 in the field, I always enjoyed the shoulder holster with the chest strap for the M1911.
A LTC I work with says he thinks it is impossible for one to be out of uniform at this point - there are too many options.
John, as to holsters, I recommend a good thigh rig if you will be constantly in/out of your gear, vehicles, etc. Get a good lanyard, as well. I tried a shoulder rig, but it was a pain getting in and out of my IBA. If you will be spending a lot of time in a vehicle, you can attach your issue holster to your IBA with wire-ties and use it as a cross-draw. Just watch your elbows when you draw it. I was always dinging mine on the HMMWV radio mount. Good luck and Godspeed.
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General uniform craziness sounds like the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I am not up on shoulder holster options but the #1 tip for using the M9 is to get or get shipped to you at least 5 Beretta magazines for it. Test them all. Bad mags abound.
Best regards