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Posted on 08/02/2004 3:57:17 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4
With the growth of professional infantry over the last three decades, there has been, not unexpectedly, a growth in companies that supply equipment for the troops. That is, gear that is demonstrably superior to what the troops were being issued by the government. This is not an entirely new phenomenon. American professional soldiers had long purchased superior gear from commercial firms. But after World War II, with a large peace time army and marine corps, better pay for the career soldiers, and a growing industry supplying new products for hunters, campers and police, it was only natural that many of the mail order catalogs for these firms should show up in the mailboxes of infantry NCOs and officers.
When the army became all-volunteer in the early 1970s, the new recruits, over the next decade, began to assume the same professional attitudes as the career NCOs and officers that led them. It became common for the troops to buy the same commercial gear (better sleeping bags, rifle cleaning gear, cold weather gear, Etc.) as the career NCOs had long done. But the commercial companies began producing more and more stuff that was suitable for professional infantrymen. Part of this was due to the growing popularity of paramilitary SWAT teams in police departments. But part of it had to do with the growth of paint ball combat as a sport. There was also an explosive growth in camping and hiking, as well as continued popularity of hunting. All these leisure time activities required equipment that was also useful for infantry. The commercial firms noted this, and began designing and manufacturing gear especially for the military market. Some foreign firms got into the act. Companies in Israel and South Africa produced superior military gear, and sold it to an international market.
A lot of the equipment troops were willing to buy with their own money was pretty mundane. Load bearing equipment (for carrying extra ammo, grenades, flashlights and whatnot) was popular, as were better backpacks, underwear and socks. Better boots were also popular. The army and marine unit commanders did not go along with all this “non-standard” stuff, and having their favorite gear “banned” was another of those uncertainties an infantryman had to worry about when he got a new commanding officer. The army organizations that designed and authorized the “official” gear also noted the competition, and the reaction of the troops. Eventually, the military bureaucrats decided to, for the most part, cooperate with the commercial firms rather than constantly be at war with the troops they were supposed to be serving. One reason for the change in attitude was the arrival of the Internet in the mid 1990s. This began putting all the troops in constant touch with each other, and forming a block of public opinion that bureaucrats did not want to tangle with.
As a result of all this, combat troops today have better gear than ever before. But it’s no accident, and a lot of people unwittingly played a part in making it happen.
How about Singha? That was my favorite. When I drank that out in the boonies, I knew I wasn't going to get Bangkok Belly.
Not made by the lowest bidder Bump
Looks like my Christmas and birthday shopping list.
Same here. Being in a SP artillery battery, we didn't have to walk, and had plenty of vehicles for "stuff". The first things that went into my wall locker were the GI sleeping bag and that awful air mattress. And the shelter half stuff. Living in the back of a M577 was like having a luxury RV.
I still cherish my Eddie Bauer (back when it was a real outdoors store) ultralight down bag, and Thermarest self-inflating foam pad. A good night's sleep was a high priority for me. That damn GI air mattress let me down every time (pun intended), while the Thermarest deployed in about 10 seconds, rather than 10 minutes of huffing and puffing.
We called our private purchase gear our "Field Kit"... Looked like hell, but worked great.
Then there was the pretty stuff. Made the Battalion Cmdr's eyes shine with pride during a walk through.
Best looking window dressing you ever saw, unless you were in front of a Victoria's Secret store.
He never asked about the still full duffle bag on top of the wall-locker.
I am glad the army is wising up.
....I'll take one of those, and one of those.
....does the model come with that outfit?????
Shame on you. (just a little)
:^)
Brilliant, as the Guiness brothers say....
What would work as well as pantyhose? Would silk thermal underwear be as good on the skin but not look as funny?
I don't know. I never wore silk thermal underwear. Probably nothing works as well as panty hose for the price. Don't ask don't tell.
I live in Columbus, and hell, I can't think of the name of the place... but it's still there. If y'all need anything from there, lemme know, I'll pick it up for you :)
Ranger Joes is still there, but US Cav closed down. I never knew why, because they always had better prices than Ranger Joes.
I was issued a 5-button sweater when I got to Germany, and that was a pretty good item. Beat scarves and gloves and field jackets most of the time.
It doesn't sound as bad as the Civil War when Union cavalry units dumped their Springfields and purchased Spencer repeaters out of their own pockets.
I have a pair of Thinsulate winter gloves. People talk about grams which one is best for Chicago windy winters?
Air Force mittens are best.
Yes, it works well. And I used it a lot last winter. Don't let anyone tell you that winters in Iraq don't get cold. That wind is really nasty sometimes.
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