If you’re going the multitool route check out the SOG armorers multitool. Mine will cut through a brass lock and is indestructible. After breaking 4 gerbers in 2 months I finally convinced supply to hook me up with the SOG.
Still for an officer who’s likely to be doing office staff duty:
holster
pocket knife
gun belt
smart book cover (every officer and nco carries a green notebook, they make covers that while not necessary make it easy to discern who’s is whose and if he’ll use it everyday it will make the book last longer)
Honestly all the guys suggesting lights, if he doesn’t already have one of each (wml, pocket light and headlamp) he’ll get issued at least 1 if not multiples.
How about some good sunglasses, oakley or ess for their ansi z87.1 rating will be necessary in conservative colors.
Great ideas guys! I like the plan of getting 2-3 equipment items before he goes overseas, and then once he has an address mail a care package. I’m going to check on that SOG armorers multitool.
I noticed in an older thread of lessons learned many guys were saying they took 30 PMags over with them, especially on second deployments. Are these still allowed or even needed? Has the mag situation improved enough? I have plenty if PMags and Brownells with Magpul follower I could send him though not being in a combat role I would think a dozen is enough. Good idea or no-go?
I was in a BSB and did convoy security for our logpac’s. My mos is 88m, but I spent 98% of my time on top of a MAT-V with the m2 and 240b in a swing mount. I drove a couple of times on longer runs just to get a break from the heat.
We were issued 7 windowed black pmags and a 14 steel usgi. I used the usgi mags in training and mob site and the pmags overseas. The px had pmags for something like $11.50, wish I’d bought more than the 2 dozen I did.
He’ll be taken care of in terms of mags.
Wish him well, I’m debating volunteering for a deployment this time next year, my wife would kill me but I’d like to go again.
If you’re looking into Zero Tolerance knives, my only experience is with the ZT301. That knife is about as strong as a fixed blade knife once it’s opened. I carry it on duty and I depend on it for EVERYTHING, even as a last resort weapon.
If you’re looking at a fixed blade, the ZT121 is AWESOME (IMO).
I second this. Goodies are more important than you know. Also a few choice DVDs (not blu-ray) but DVDs that he and his buddies can watch on their down time. Also books are a good gift too but not until you are in country. Those are heavy.
Better than DVD’s rip movies onto a thumb drive. Less space and almost every soldier I knew overseas had an external full of movies and very few actual dvd’s.
If he’s going to be issued an M9, how about getting him some training from a good instructor? Maybe pony up some dough for a Beretta 92 or any other quality gun for the class, and for when he gets home.
Thanks for the recommendation! I was looking at the ZT550 or ZT560/561. The 301 looks like it has a much fatter blade, does that present any issues slicing through material? It looks like a sturdy brute though. I’m going to try to find these in person so I can compare but will go with the 301 if that doesn’t work out in time. It seems to get unanimous approval from the various reviews.
I’d get a Foursevens (www.foursevens.com) light of your choosing over a Surefire. Much better light at a fraction of the cost. You can the get him some extra rechargeable batteries, and still have funds left over.
I second the holster. The only reason I didn’t have to carry a thigh rig my tour was that our PA had an extra paddle holder he let me use. There are some cheap Blackhawk copies in theater, but … let’s just say that when I got home, I bought a holster for the next deployment (for wife or for me).
I never got any lights issued. He may not depending on MOS. I brought 4, rarely used more than 1.
A good pocket knife or multi-tool is also a great idea. I didn’t hear good things on the Gerber, so used a Leatherman Kick the whole time (I’m a FOBbit too). The Gerber survived it’s tour in a duffle, and is now in my range bag.
You could always just do a rolling series of care packages. 2-ply TP is kind of nice, as are powdered drink mixes for water bottles. Or you could try and send a CD every month with a bunch of MP3’s of the latest music. If he has access to a computer, that would be nice.
I also did the thumbdrive movies. In fact, I grabbed about 6 thumbdrives for cheap online, and once a month would mail it back to my wife with a bunch of pictures and a “diary” to put it together. Kind of like an extended email.
I ran several of these ideas past my relative that is deploying. He says they get pretty good gear issued and have some options to choose from. He is set with sunglasses, large knife (bayonet), belt, etc. He even got to select a pocket knife so he is getting the Benchmade Auto Presidio which looks pretty good. I have the manual Griptillian and like it a lot so I am sure he will find the Presidio very useful.
He decided on the SOG Seal Pup for a smaller fixed blade (more out of his curiosity in it than anticipated need, so I got the tiger striped version) and a SOG multitool so I got the SOG Power Assist in black oxide), and finally he went with a shoulder holster for his M9 so we got the Galco vertical holster system which I hear is somewhat popular overseas.
I’m glad he finally gave some input because I would have bought somethings a little different. After looking through all of these suggestions I am thinking of picking up a Fallkniven or a Bark River for my self! I have a Leatherman Wave so it will be interesting to compare with the SOG Power Assist.
That should do it for the pre-deployment items. I still have your suggestions on the convenience items to send via periodic packages. His family will be near by so it will be fun to get together and send off packages once a month.
Thanks a bunch for the great ideas it really got the ideas going and he is thrilled to get some new shiny (well subdued but shiny underneath) tools to try out.
Thanks to all who serve our great country. I am really glad to hear much of the issued equipment is very good stuff.
I got the knives in. Surprised how small the Seal Pup is and how thin the blade. The sheath is twice the size of the knife. Going to see what the guy thinks about it when he sees it. Personally I would want a stouter knife since the Seal Pup is hardly bigger or stouter than a large folder.
I already helped get him the 92, no time left for civilian training but he qualified expert in pre-deployment with it.