Gear tricks of the trade.

[Maj Alfred]

Hello all so over the summer I've been working on GTM and UDF and if I play my cards right I will also finish up my GTL aswell as my MS. So here is the question over the course of your collective experience what gear would you suggest I use for my GTM/GTL 24hour pack (Not what's in the green Monster I have all that stuff already) and the same with UDF and MS

Just as an example would you suggest a leg rig over a tak vest or what kind of flashlight do you use? Thanx alot

[Maj Alfred]

Oh and where can I get a cheap used ICOM?

[Eclipse]

If you're referring to the iCom ISR radios, those are no longer manufactured, and the replacement is not NTIA approved.  They occasionally pop up on eBay, but because they were pretty restricted in sale, it's rare.

You best best for 24 hour gear is a SARMed style vest (use search here), leg rigs are a PITA, especially for the ops we do which generally involve a lot of in/out vehicles.

[Pylon]

Well, on your flashlight question: headlamp.  Invaluable in the field and at night in your quarters.  Preferably one with a red lens flip-up or red LEDs for preserving night vision when necessary.  Let's you use both hands and keep your immediate area illuminated.


I prefer a chest rig, but it's because I'm now used to that kind of setup with my Marine Corps gear.  Use whatever is most comfortable for you. 


If you go chest rig, may I suggest the BDS Tactical Super Admin Pouch.  It holds most things GTMs will need handy often: light source, pens & pencils, perfectly sized internal pockets for handheld GPS, ISRs, or Smartphones. Flip-down credential window. Perfect size for folded maps and a Write-in-the-Rain pad.  Plus a hook for dummy cording and a place for a glow-stick to be stored on the bottom.


Besides the required stuff and the obvious stuff, I look for light-weight little things that will add to my comfort and efficiency.   For example, a few packets of Starbucks Via (instant coffee) and a couple of MRE beverage bags will let me make a nice cup of field joe in a few minutes.

[Eclipse]

+1 I don't wear a chest rig, but I know people who do, it's cool.

http://www.bdstacticalgear.com/pd-bds-tactical-super-admin-pouch.cfm

Bear in mind that if your rig is not bright orange / green / yellow (and soon ANSI II compliant), you'll have to wear a compliant vest over the rig, yes over it, so keep that in mind if you are spending money.  There are a number of excellent fire service and similar rigs in bright colors that would meet the mandate.

[♠SARKID♠]

Just as an example would you suggest a leg rig over a tak vest or what kind of flashlight do you use? Thanx alot

Strap a small child to your thigh, walk around the forest, see how well you like the thigh rig idea.  Tactical vests are for tactical folks; if you want a vest, use a SAR style.

Flashlight - Fenix TK11 or UltraFire WF-502B

[Woodsy]

I can't speak for the GTM or GTL stuff, but for UDF...  If you wear BDU's, the pockets will carry about 10X the stuff you need...  The point of UDF is to never be off the "hard ground" and after quite a few "finds" as a UDF qualified responder, I have never been away from my vehicle (or whatever vehicle we were in) for more than about 20 minutes. 

Shoot, the 2 front pockets on my gray slacks I wear with my CAP polo will carry everything I need for a UDF mission...  Mini Mag-lite, notebook and pen, compass, cell phone (or EFJ handheld clipped to the belt,)  wallet with ID's, CAPF60, etc, map carried in the hand, etc.

If you go to wal-mart and buy the cheapest $10 backpack you can find, you''ll be set if you don't want to load down your pockets.

If you need anything more than that as a UDF member, you need to seriously reconsider the mission and your qualifications and bump it up to the lext level (ground team.)

[Maj Alfred]

I used my buddies leg rig on a sarx yesterday and it was comfortable, and because of the safety vest I didn't have to go under it to get the things I needed.

[caphornbuckle]

Oh and where can I get a cheap used ICOM?

I have an ICOM IC-2GAT handheld that was heavily used before the NTIA baloney came up.  Now it needs a new battery and possibly a charger.  I have it laying around the house somewhere.  If this is what you are looking for, PM me and we'll talk!

[Eclipse]

I used my buddies leg rig on a sarx yesterday and it was comfortable, and because of the safety vest I didn't have to go under it to get the things I needed.

Do yo know what kind he had.  We'd love to see a "comfortable" leg rig that would hold the full 24.

[Maj Alfred]

Oh nooooo it didn't carry the full 24 but a lot of the essentials. I have a camelbak backpack that carrys my potential over night stuff.