Any advice for a Tank Commander's Chest Rig?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:54:25 -0500

I haven't seen any good examples for a Company Commander's chest rig. I require different things to carry than say your average rifleman. I'm also a tanker. Any good examples for a leaders' chest rig? Thanks!

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 21 at 2017 1:16 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:16:17 -0500

How can a Tanker get into and out of the tank with that much crap in the way...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 14:20:58 -0500

that right there looks pretty good !!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 21 at 2017 5:45 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:45:22 -0500

I'd say the simpler, the better - what you *need* to have, plus a few commonly used odds & ends. What's in the picture looks pretty reasonable to me.

From what I recall, my commanders typically had only their basic equipment loadout (magazines, first aid pouch, water) along with a radio & some writing material.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 7:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:29:30 -0500

I wouldn't recommend a large chest rig per say simply because every time you get in/out of the tank its very likely to get caught on something and be a pain in your a$$. I try to arrange my tank so I can fight from it with items I need when I dismount easily accessible. For radio get a M148 to take with you those times you have to dismount. Other than that you are plugged in via the CVC so comms should be easy. I have maps custom made with that are already laminated so I can mark on the fly and erase at will. Most military posts have a place that will make pocket size foldable maps. (There's a great place just outside of Fort Bragg called the Hobbit....its a comic book store but if you give them a map they will make you a version that will fit in your cargo pocket) Beats the heck out of lugging around a map board for battle tracking. If your unit will let you train with the chicken vests (versus the IOTV which is hard with the plates in the quickly get inside and button up the tank) between that a holster for your M9 (Or sling if your carrying an M4) and a radio pouch for the M148 I usually just carry some markers and my ACH (worn) when I dismount. A small chest rig with maybe 3 pockets is really all that you need. I don't feel the need to haul around 10 loaded magazines when I dismount for the simple fact that its not effective and gets caught on things inside the tank. The sponsor box on the TC side of the tank I always keep the small section at the top free for items that I need readily access to. Hope this helps. If you come up with any good ideas please share I'm always looking for tips and tricks to make operating in the confines of a tank easier. Great topic

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Feb 21 at 2017 11:46 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 23:46:19 -0500

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member This was my set up in Iraq. I had to change it like 4-5 times until I felt comfortable with the IOTV setup. I couldn't have my holster on my hip because it kept getting caught inside the HMMWV or MRAP on other equipment or the vehicle interior itself. So I put it on my chest and angled it for ease of access when needed in dire situations. Still the ammo pouches managed to snag on everything else inside the vehicles as you could imagine. I wouldn't recommend this for being in a M1A1/M1A2 given I am quite familiar being on tanks myself. My setup worked best for me given the mission for our unit during my tour in Iraq. It was great for dismount as we went on patrols in the cities/towns. If I remember right, I had a couple of more pouches that I must have taken off that are not shown in the picture. I wore the IOTV also on my second Afghanistan deployment and was different than this one or my first tour to Afghanistan. Hope this gives you another idea to think about for what works for your advantage on tanks or patrol.

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Feb 22 at 2017 11:37 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 23:37:10 -0500

Don't try to wear a bunch of crap inside the tank it will only hinder your ability to fight the tank. And in the event of the unimaginable happens it will hinder anyone from pulling you out. The only thing I had was my trusty pea shooter and a pilot's check folder strapped to my leg for quick writing and reporting. Whatever the Army issues is more than adequate for being on the ground. Leave your battle rattle in the buzzle rack or your HMMWV until needed. Around the tanks your battle rattle will catch on everything and can be a hazard. You don't need all the gee wiz crap that looks cool. Less is better. There's a reason CSM's are always screaming at tankers for being out of uniform.

Response by 1LT Rich Voss made Feb 24 at 2017 12:15 AM

1LT Rich Voss — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 00:15:37 -0500

Captain - I'm a "dino-tanker" (AKA Tank Commander from the 60's), and I have never seen such a fancy chest rig. I'm a fairly big and tall guy, 6'3" and 215ish when I served, and there's no way I would have/could have worn all that gear while in my cupola. Bare minimum. Shoulder holster for my M1911, web pistol belt with my small first aid kit and a 2 magazine pouch for the .45. I STILL got caught going into and out of my hatch. I kept a second pistol belt with canteen, more magazines, compass etc..along with a backpack full of my stuff safely secured behind me above my radios. My protective mask was stored next to me on the right. I guess you have more room to "maneuver" inside your M1 than my old M60's !

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2017 3:24 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 03:24:01 -0500

I would have your UBL in pouches, a radio pouch for an MBITR or Harris, IFAK, and an admin pouch. Anything other than that is probably overkill. As a commander I used my admin pouch more than anything. However I was light at the time. If I were to get back on a track I would use a battle board. I would also make a laminated strip map with duplicate graphics to fold up and put in your admin pouch. That way you're not trying to find somewhere to stick your battle board when it comes time to do something dismounted. Don't ask me how I learned that lesson....

Response by SSG Robert Pratt made Feb 24 at 2017 10:35 AM

SSG Robert Pratt — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 10:35:25 -0500

Anything bulky will make you more of a cupular plug.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Feb 25 at 2017 7:06 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 19:06:15 -0500

When I was a Tank PL I was about 140 pounds. Me with a vest no problem. My friend in D Company was as tall and hairy as Chewbacca. It would not work for him.

Regardless I would consider items to Shoot, Move, Communicate & Survival.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 26 at 2017 10:49 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 22:49:12 -0500

Yes MAJ Private RallyPoint Member ... believe it or not, in 1985, when I was commissioned armor, we still had these... All you really is a pistol and few mags... Like being a MP in combat, if we get to pistols... Shit is not going well...

Response by CPT Andrew Trimble made Jul 23 at 2017 12:14 PM

CPT Andrew Trimble — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 12:14:41 -0400

Yeah, hang it on the hatch or throw it in the bustlerack

Response by Terry Pinion made Apr 9 at 2019 8:49 PM

Terry Pinion — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 20:49:42 -0400

as a tanker a maiami classic II shoulder holser with a quad mag pouch is all you need other than a slick level IV bullet reisistant vest you would be better served with a go bag with mags and other gear in case you have to abandon tank,