What is everyone's must carry item be it in the field during training, deployment, or even activations?

SGT George Stephens — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 15:43:49 -0400

So a fellow veteran amd myself were talking on the range the other day and we discussed our attire with professionalism and jokes. However this brought up a fun question.

What is everyone's must carry item be it in the field during training, deployment, or even activations (state active duty for those in the guard)?

Mine is and always has been a baseball cap. I have one hat that i have always worn since my first deployment and take it with me everywhere.

Yes i keep my K-pod in a pack and near but i love my baseball cap and wear it when i can. However, it goes with me everywhere. Along with a picture of my wife and kids, but I'm talking about objects like my cap for example.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Aug 21 at 2020 5:39 PM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:39:39 -0400

Always have that Leatherman or Gerber multitool.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2020 5:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:41:09 -0400

ear pro. I got laughed at it down range, but I used the void in the grip stock of the M4 to keep ear plugs, and taped it closed with 100mph tape.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 21 at 2020 5:52 PM

SSG Brian G. — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:52:05 -0400

Leatherman multi-tool. Duct tape. Para Cord. Baby Wipes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2020 6:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:25:07 -0400

Knife. For when you have to stab someone and/or slice a cheese cake.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2020 7:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 19:05:01 -0400

100 mph tape, 550 cord, and batteries. The 3 things I learned not to depend on supply for.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Aug 21 at 2020 7:20 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 19:20:49 -0400

My p-38 Can opener

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 21 at 2020 8:25 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:25:31 -0400

Folding knife with a serrated blade. Not big, not a killing blade. Just a solid trusty knife. Things I’ve cut with said knife:
-pallet straps
-rigging
-impenetrable French dfac steak
-millions of MRE pouches
-hydraulic line
-strings
- venison
-used it as a jumper on a motherboard
- cutting 550 cord
- shrink wrapped in pallets
-zip ties, mostly on children’s toy packaging

Response by SFC James Cameron made Aug 21 at 2020 8:39 PM

SFC James Cameron — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:39:41 -0400

A study full tang knife.

Response by A1C Tim Rohrer made Aug 21 at 2020 8:56 PM

A1C Tim Rohrer — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:56:02 -0400

A picture of your wife and kids

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 21 at 2020 8:57 PM

SGT Justin Anderson — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:57:24 -0400

A folded American flag. Carried in my pack, taped it up in the vehicle, hang it up inside procured compounds, etc. Now it happily hangs on my living room wall.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 21 at 2020 8:59 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 20:59:39 -0400

I always carried my personal K-bar to the field and deployments. While deployed, I made sure to take my bootcamp issued seabag. And every port and country I stepped foot in, I wrote on the outside of the bag.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2020 10:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 22:15:08 -0400

My one luxury item was a book that I wrapped in plastic. I also carried plenty of canteens because water was life.

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Aug 21 at 2020 10:56 PM

MSgt Don VandeBogert — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 22:56:37 -0400

I'm a mechanic so multitool is a must. Plenty of other items I keep handy as well but a multitool is always with me.

V/R
Bogie

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 21 at 2020 10:58 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 22:58:26 -0400

A cleaning kit for my weapon, I could tell a long involved tale about almost getting run over by a goddamn tank while trying to clear my crappy,jamming M16,sooo boring but a cleaning kit W/ rod is what I’d bring.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2020 2:22 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 02:22:37 -0400

portable shower pump

Response by SPC Luther Wooten made Aug 22 at 2020 5:01 AM

SPC Luther Wooten — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 05:01:37 -0400

A knife with a good chopping edge. it can be used as a hatchet, cooking utensil, a weapon, used to make other weapons, start a fire or as a hammer, and other tools. My grandfather told stories of the European theater during WWII of being isolated out of ammo and relying on his servicemans knife for survival until supplies and relief would show up.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 22 at 2020 6:39 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 06:39:20 -0400

Leatherman type multi tool.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 22 at 2020 12:41 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 12:41:59 -0400

Knife. As aircrew we were issued knife with parachute cord cutter and 4 inch switch blade. Not bad. Flight suit had handy knife pocket. Carried multiple blade 3 inch pocket knife for many years. Then TSA happened. No more carrying pocket knife. Still carry knife when working outside or around the house.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Aug 22 at 2020 2:08 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 14:08:03 -0400

As with others, I always had/have a multitool on me. Got me out of more jams than I can think of.

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Feb 15 at 2021 2:41 PM

SSG Greg Miech — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:41:12 -0500

Knife, multi tool, American Flag, High Visibility light fabric for marking and attention of helicopters. Book for there is always downtime.