The handgun in the earlier photos is my HK P2000 .40(daily carry)
The one I am using here is the issue M9
Well true to form....back in garrison, before coming here, everything I bought was JUST FINE so naturally I brought it into theater.
As SOON as I put my rig on (Green Eagle CIRAS-MAR included)...
Them: Hey! That stuff isn't ACU! All of our stuff is ACU!
Me: But your Brigade SOP says green is fine-YOU told me green was fine before we left CONUS
Them: We don't go by the SOP-all your gear needs to be ACU
Me: Fine
Now don't get me wrong...we went to CIF before leaving Carson....my "combat issue"
3 single magazine pouches
1 grenade pouch
1 first aid kit
Body Armor.
That was it.....I was quite pleased I had my own gear and would be well equipped for the environment. Of ocurse until I got here.
SO-
I basically bought new gear and am wearing the following:
ISSUE GEAR
-Point Blank OTV with Neck, Throat, and Groin protectors, flank armor and plates front back and both sides (ACU)
-ACH
-Goggles (because I have to have them on my helmet)
PURCHASED GEAR
-Tactical Tailor 2 piece MAV (sometimes with BHI hydration pack on the rear shoulder panel) (ACU)
-ALTA knee and elbow pads....the knee pads were especially comfortable with the "button and bolt" closure vs the velcro and elastic.
-Southwest Motorsports High forearm gloves...probably the best gloves for this type of use I have ever purchased. No complaints. NONE. And they are holding up beautifully regardless of what I do to them.
-And I must comment on my BATES M9 Desert Boots. They have also done me EXTREMELY WELL-lots of Oakly Boots ending up in the trash cans.
Right Side TTMAV-Flank to front
-EMDOM BOMB med kit w/ paraclete mounted grenade pouch (multi-cam)
-Paraclete smoke pouch (green)
-TT single layer 3 mag shingle with bungee tops (inside) (ACU)
-EGGROLL "FUGLY 3" mounted on the front of the shingles (outside) (green)
-TT Velcro "joiner" with PALS webbing bringing the center together
-Mounted on the joiner: a TT 3 mag deep shingle (ACU)
LEFT Side - Flank to front
-EGGROLL Large Rolly (green)
-TT single layer 3 mag shingle with bungee tops (inside) (ACU)
-EGGROLL 3 pistol mag / single flashlight pouch mounted on front (green)
-BHI nylon combat holster with thumb strap mounted on front and GEMTECH combat lanyard(ACU)-has since been replaced with BHI SERPA holster with MOLLE mount in same position with same GEMTECH lanyard.
(underneath OTV and TTMAV)
-HSGI Suspenders sewn as previously recommended (worked flawlessly)
-TT Riggers belt through an ICE tactical padded Combat belt
-R hip on riggers belt:
Bill Harsey custom blade in kydex sheath
-Occasionally I had an MBITR on my R rear hip as well-this sucked
-L hip on riggers belt: Shingle with 3 each M16 / M9 mags
-quick disconnect for EGGROLL Dropleg medical bag (Left Leg)
-Maxpedition small rolly
On PANTS belt:
PS.com leatherman / R hip has quick connect for HSGI drop leg holster.
Of course there were flashlights and tourniquets, and pocket knives (redundantly) and a GPS and all the other goodies that every good boy scout should have in a combat zone.
For rounds I carry:
-12+1 M16 mags (all of which I put Ranger Mag Pulls on and LOVE THEM)
-the extra mag hangs off my IBA from a snaplink when necessary
-6+1 M9 mags with that extra stowed in the back admin panel of the FUGLY 3 when it is cleared
2 Smokes and 4 grenades
The rig rides incredibly well and have chased / fallen / dove / climbed / jumped onto and off of / without too much problem. Learned how to get in and out of vehicles without TOO much difficulty / Helo's with the complete seating package are a bit of a stretch thoughas my profile width feel HUGE in such a small space. I on initial contact I break the big rolly loose and my first 3 magazine changes come from the center panel. Then the bungee'd ones followed by the ones on the belt. This system worked very well for me. Once back inside the vehicle, I could reload mags going down the road and would re-stock my mag carriers in reverse order as time allowed.
The Dropleg Medical Bag has performed VERY VERY well in a combat environment. I have enough supplies to initiate stabilization measures on two folks for most DA type injuries and have utiilized it a number of times without negative issue. This allows me to leave my aidbag in the 1114 for most all occasions. Rolling up on IED hits I still initiate treatment with what I have on my body, and someone else brings my aidbag once I am into the patients. This system has worked multiple times now and I am quite pleased with it.
I am unable to wear my dropleg holster if I am riding in the vehicle. There just isn't room for something on both legs and to be able to close the door. Not to mention, once it is on-it is never coming out of it's holster in that space if you are wearing it on your leg.
In addition to the HSGI drop leg, I have also (on occassion) opted to wear an entirely seperate stiff "duty belt" with a Safariland 6004 drop leg holster for a couple of cordon / knock missions. This holster worked extremely well....but there were too many belts and layers and by gum my little muffin top got pinched one too many times. So-when I wear it, I adjust some of my other gear to accomodate.
Around the FOB I wear an Uncle Mikes Kydex Paddle with friction retention that I just LOVE. Little Money, Lotsa Quality, very comfy for what I need it.
I guess that about does it. Happy to answer if there are questions...this was the best pic I could come up with from a recent patrol.....
TR likes my codpiece
Eagle