Posted on Dec 23, 2013
Are Service members to dependent on Cold Weather Gear and Equipment?
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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?
Equipment
Gear
Meteorology
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 7
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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.
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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)
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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.
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LTC Jason Bartlett
That has always been a pet peeve wearing gear when you don't need it. I make it a point to never use cold weather gear until I absolutely need it. My kids are the same way got a call front the school because my youngest wore shorts to school during winter. I showed up in shorts to validate his choice that day.
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SPC Corbin Doades
Sir, I know people who wear shorts year round.
Our CO and 1SG would only allow watch caps if it was 32* or below.
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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.
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LTC Jason Bartlett
Good point, you learn to dress in layers growing up (Same concept as marksmanship).
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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.
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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
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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
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LTC Jason Bartlett
Why does the Army issue you a weapon? To kill the enemy when you need to. Point is the Army issues many things so that you have them when you need them. I was in Kabul last winter and watched people bundle up like "Randy Parker" to walk 100 feet from a heated room to there heated office. I think we would be in for a rude awaking if our next mission takes us north.
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SSG (Join to see)
Well sir, I've never really had a problem because Im used to the cold weather so I cant fully understand. I would say however, depending on where you are stationed or deploying to should dictate what items of the cold weather system be issued to you so you ddont have personnel wearing every article jus to walk to the latrine and back.
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