What equipment should we divest and what should add?

2014-03-03T10:27:06-05:00

The Army is getting rid of Route Clearance Equipment (RCP) because it cost more to ship it than trash it.

I say it needs to be added to the TO&E of Engineer Units.

What are your oppinion on equipment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 10:32 AM

2014-03-03T10:32:37-05:00

I think the old tents need to go away. The get damaged way too easy. The Drash tents are nice but expensive.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 11:33 AM

2014-03-03T11:33:04-05:00

There's a lot of equipment being destroyed. I can only imagine someones hindsight kicking them in the butt when its determined we need such equipment again. Short term monetary gain doesn't trump long term logistical issues.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 12:13 PM

2014-03-03T12:13:35-05:00

1SG-Engineers have certainly earned their stripes in OEF and OIF. I think some sort of RCP package should be available for future conflicts, though I don't know how cost efficient it would be, especially as an engineer battalion will be added to many BCTs as we restructure and "pivot to the East." APOBs/MCLCs/Huskys/Buffalos/RGs and hand held systems with GPR have saved A LOT of lives and should be kept in our arsenal.

To answer the broader question of equipment. I hate the MRAP family of vehicles. MAT Vs are top heavy and only seat 5, even though they weigh 15 tons. MAX-PROs have more space but the drop ramp freaks me out as an Infantryman (injuries/hydraulic malfunction, casevac etc), and again they are top heavy and roll all the time. I think we should keep enough MRAPs to field a division worth of ground troops, but that's all.

To be honest, we have way too much crap. Half the "high speed systems" we have require FSR support in country, so while your system is down you're waiting 10 years for a civilian from BAF to show up, who inevitably failed to bring the right tools to fix the damn thing!

We need to get lighter, faster, and more lethal. Save money by cutting contractors. I don't need civilians to wash my clothes, fix my trucks, give me power, feed me etc. There are Soldiers to do that job.

Rant Complete. Great question, 1SG.