Are Service members to dependent on Cold Weather Gear and Equipment?

LTC Jason Bartlett — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:35:17 -0500

With all the cold weather gear do you think Service members are dependent on the gear to much versus having the instinct and knowledge to survive without it?

Response by PFC Grant Simpson made Dec 23 at 2013 9:41 PM

PFC Grant Simpson — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:41:27 -0500

I a lot depends on where they are from originally I found out in Alaska that people cooler regions did better in cold enviroments then from Warmer ones.

Response by SPC Corbin Doades made Dec 23 at 2013 10:09 PM

SPC Corbin Doades — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 22:09:00 -0500

Sir, I have seen people use their cwg on a mild day. I rarely used mine except for the field jacket or the gortex. I would wear my watch cap under my ACH on occasion. There were individuals that would wear all their cwg. The new gray snow suits I have seen worn too. I never used them though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 10:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 22:15:33 -0500

If that being the case, why does the Army issue it? I personally dont too much wear it. The most I'll wear is the undergarments and a light outer jacket. It also boils down to where you are stationed and where individual soldiers are from. You get a soldier from south Florida and stick him/her up in Fort Drum, he/she is subject to bundle up tighter than dicks hatband and look like Randy Parker from A Christmas Story

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 10:18 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 22:18:36 -0500

Sir not only are they over dependent but uneducated on how to properly wear and layer cold weather equipment which often leads to cold and sometimes hot weather injuries during cold weather operations.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 10:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 22:41:57 -0500

Well sir I have to say that I have been station in Alaska for the last 3 years and I have seen some soldiers wear their silks an August. And thats just because they fill comfortable in them.

As soon as the weather changes this soldiers can't stay warm no matter what.

My personally, I'm coldblooded. If I get cold it means it really is cold. ( talking -20 and below)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2013 5:04 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:04:04 -0500

It still amazes me how I can walk around in PT shorts and shortsleeve shirt when everyone else is wearing fleece and watch cap. But when it is super hot in AZ or TX for training I am wearing the same stuff and the people that dressed in fleece during the cold are complaining about the heat. It is a lot of mind over matter, If you dont mind the weather it doesn't matter. Obviously this would change if your stuck outside for significant amounts of time

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 11:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:34:11 -0400

I completely agree with you. I was just talking about wearing wearing the fleece jacket in garrison. It is ok to be cold. You are better off getting used to it. If you were out for a prolonged amount of time I could understand but full winter PTs when it is only 50 some degrees outside is a bit much.