I am going to be the new ES officer in my SQD. I have little to no CAP experience with the ES stuff although the majority of it is either common knowledge or I am educated on it from my military job. Now my question is what is liked or used for your packs. I know the basics of what is needed but what is the preferred equipment. I am hoping to just re use a lot of my military gear for cost reason but what else is good to have?
Start with the required stuff as listed in the Task Guide. Then add/subtract as needed for YOUR environment and comfort. As for extra stuff that is good to have, you should have a good idea from the military...
Just remember, you have to be able to carry it...
Sure I know that my Aid bag will go with me along with a Camel back type bags to carry mystuff. Causulty Blankets and the normal stuff. I guess I was wondering what tyoe of equipment is liked/ prefered in the CAP community. I am not worried about carrying it. 15 miles and 90 lbs ruck with M249 SAW not worried about weight or not being able to carry it all.
I guess I am looking for:
Sleeping bags
Tents
Bags both 24 and 72
types of LBE if even used
Military surplus is still pretty much standard, but its basically up to you. Some are switching to vests, but most I see are still wearing ALICE gear.
Quote from: arajca on September 14, 2008, 02:34:25 AM
Start with the required stuff as listed in the Task Guide. Then add/subtract as needed for YOUR environment and comfort. As for extra stuff that is good to have, you should have a good idea from the military...
Just remember, you have to be able to carry it...
Emphasis mine
Let me clarify a little. From personal experience only. you need the required items, then ADD for your environment. But like the man said, you have to be able to carry it. If's its in your gear, you should be able to use it as well.
I carry my 24 hour gear on a standard LBE, with a butt pack and several pouches. My 72 is in a large ALICE pack. It is not the best, but it is cheap and readily available. The one major departure from the standard LBE setup is my camelbak, its just soooo much more comfortable than carrying canteens. I do have two 1qt canteens in my 72hr gear though.
This is pretty much the standard in my squadron, but a few people have the camelbaks with a small back pack attached, and they use that for their 24hr gear.
As to what you actually put in your gear, go with what works for you. I don't make it a hard fast rule that you must have every single item on the list, I instead look for a responsible loadout, that will keep you alive and useful. That means being light and comfortable, in addition to being comprehensive.
I carry an ultra compact sleeping bag in the winter called the "softie" you can get them at ranger joes. Along with a Camp pillow (the preferred is buckwheat filler)
For the summer I carry a standardly available Fleece sleeping bag.
I also use an self inflating sleeping pad, from therma rest (this was the best buy I've made)
As for the 24 I am using a Military Helo Pilot vest, but have plans for switching to the Camelbak Delta 5 Tac Vest. This one is becoming increasingly more popular
For the 72 I use the Molle Ruck, w/sleep bag attachment
As far as what pack to use, it is completely up to you. If you have stuff use it
I personally use a tac vest for my 24 hr because a like having my gear easily exesable. For 72 hr gear I have my backpack for hiking with internal frame. The only thing I would strongly encourage, for comforts sake, is a good backpack. As far as gear the list doesn't have you might want to invest in a GPS. Good luck on your new position.
Quote from: IceNine on September 14, 2008, 08:56:10 PM
I carry an ultra compact sleeping bag in the winter called the "softie" you can get them at ranger joes. Along with a Camp pillow (the preferred is buckwheat filler)
Got me all excited when I saw it was the size of a football, then I saw it is only rated to 32F...we need like -45F rated ones up here...
If you're looking for gear for YOU... check these guys out www.kifaru.net
If you looking for stuff for cadets, well, they'll be better off with mil spec surplus.
Brian
PAWG
Has anyone had any luck with this?
http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=clearance&style=TE211
Quote from: JThemann on September 19, 2008, 04:16:18 AM
Has anyone had any luck with this?
http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=clearance&style=TE211
Bummer, looked like a good pack, too bad they are discontinued.
Brian
PAWG
How exactly do I carry my sleeping bag and tent in one of those?
Add a sleeping pack on the bottom
Quote from: JThemann on September 19, 2008, 09:03:40 PM
How exactly do I carry my sleeping bag and tent in one of those?
You mean the Gall's Bag? You just jam it inside... it's 7800 cu in... you won't run out of room anytime soon.
Quote from: IceNine on September 19, 2008, 09:08:56 PM
Add a sleeping pack on the bottom
The Summit Bag has bottom access for a sleeping bag. No need to add more to this pack.
http://summitequipment.com/Products/military/largeDesc/badMamaJama.htm
Brian
PAWG
http://cgi.ebay.com/Arktis-M173-Civil-Air-Patrol-Ground-Team-Search-Vest_W0QQitemZ220299078322QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36071QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
Arktis makes an M173 vest that's billed on eBay as specifically being for ground SAR. One of our squadron's senior member NCO's bought a couple for our ground team to field test. I recently used it on a training exercise and found I really liked it. It has more room than the standard LBE, you can comfortably wear an alice pack with it, and I could get to everything while wearing it without assistance from anyone else. We are buying several more based upon our experience with them. They are not found on the Arktis web site though. eBay is the only place I have seen this particular model.
TRY a bug out bag.
Quote from: ELTHunter on October 27, 2008, 06:19:31 PM... you can comfortably wear an alice pack with it...
Must be some vest... i have never worn an ALICE pack comfortably...
Seriously, looks good...
I recently saw a couple of backpack type bags in basically a red color one was advertised as a "72 Hr Pack" and, drum roll please, the other was the "24 Hr Pack". I believe this was on the U.S. Cavalry Store website.
I just checked and these bags are on the Cav Store web site in the 5.11 tactical gear page. They are the 5.11 Tactical Rush 24 and 72 Bags. Although, at $100 and $150 respectively they are probably not for your average CAP member. Sorry I don't do link posts.
This is one I use. They make it in International Orange. It is a bit pricey but worth every penny.
http://www.specialforces.com/store/catalog/product_27264_OP_Survival_Vest.html
Quote from: Rangercap on October 27, 2008, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: ELTHunter on October 27, 2008, 06:19:31 PM... you can comfortably wear an alice pack with it...
Must be some vest... i have never worn an ALICE pack comfortably...
Seriously, looks good...
OK...I stand corrected. It is possible to wear an ALICE pack with it.
Quote from: ELTHunter on November 14, 2008, 01:29:19 AM
Quote from: Rangercap on October 27, 2008, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: ELTHunter on October 27, 2008, 06:19:31 PM... you can comfortably wear an alice pack with it...
Must be some vest... i have never worn an ALICE pack comfortably...
Seriously, looks good...
OK...I stand corrected. It is possible to wear an ALICE pack with it.
So you can wear a pack with the vest on? What about packs with waist belts? I am really thinking about buying one based on your review. I am a new member and will be on the GT and eventually GT leader (the Major request this, LOL). And can you carry everything that is in the Task Guide in that vest? Thanks
Here's the one I use; I'm able to pack alot of "stuff" in it and it remains comfortable; side draw straps adjust for snug or loose fit.
http://www.searchgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=177
Quote from: MSgt Van on November 14, 2008, 09:20:42 PM
Here's the one I use; I'm able to pack alot of "stuff" in it and it remains comfortable; side draw straps adjust for snug or loose fit.
http://www.searchgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=177
To pricey for me.
Quote from: NCO forever on November 14, 2008, 09:23:29 PM
Quote from: MSgt Van on November 14, 2008, 09:20:42 PM
Here's the one I use; I'm able to pack alot of "stuff" in it and it remains comfortable; side draw straps adjust for snug or loose fit.
http://www.searchgear.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=177
To pricey for me.
If that's too pricey then don't look at my post above! lol
I just ordered one of the CAP vest on ebay. I can't wait to get it and load it up. Thanks for the input guys. I have a Camelbak BFM that I am going to use for my 72 hr kit, mainly cause I already had it! ;D
I keep my 24 hr gear on my web vest and use the big pouch from the CPF-90 as the 72 hr pack. The CPF "patrol pack" I use for BLS medical gear.
-- However I have to admit that with almost a decade in CAP I've only had chance to do one "real" mission.