What is your favorite item/gadget to take into the field?

2015-10-01T21:48:09-04:00

I am going to be spending LOTS of time in the field and I am curious what everyone's favorite gear is and why. It can be something as simple as electrical tape (one of my staples as an FDO because it's waterproof and can be peeled and re-stuck on my map board) or some interesting gadget that makes your life easier. I am about to go into the field for about a week and have found myself with a terrible cold- I just splurged and got one of these JetBoil suckers so I can have hot water for tea and for my guys to shave with:

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 1 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-10-01T21:54:44-04:00

Thermal cup to keep my drink cold

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-10-01T22:04:08-04:00

I have one of the JetBoils in my pack as well as an e-tool and hammock. I also have a katedyn water filter system for tight spots.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 10:07 PM

2015-10-01T22:07:22-04:00

I take a camp stove as well and canned food like soup and coffee.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-10-01T22:17:48-04:00

I'm pretty easy to please. The only "creature comfort" I usually bring is a coffee cup. I don't care for drinking out of styrofoam.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Oct 1 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-10-01T22:21:56-04:00

Clark Jungle Hammock

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-10-01T22:24:26-04:00

Jet Boil and my Woobie. ALL HAIL THE WOOBIE!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-10-01T23:26:23-04:00

We bring a lot of gadgets and creature comforts out to the field, but the most popular one with my team is the camp stove and coffee I bring out.

We don't function well without caffeine.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 2 at 2015 2:19 AM

2015-10-02T02:19:08-04:00

.50 cal ammo can is the perfect fit for a coleman propane burner and small bottle of propane. Hot coffee trumps everything in the field. Wet? No sweat. Cold? No probs. No coffee? Uncle Mark just snapped.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 2:29 AM

2015-10-02T02:29:41-04:00

If you are a coffee drinker then bring your own mug..............and don't forget your own folding chair. You'd be amazed how scarce and sacred seating can be when in the field

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 2:37 AM

2015-10-02T02:37:28-04:00

I always bring hot sauce, multi spice pack, and a couple of good books

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 2 at 2015 10:22 AM

2015-10-02T10:22:45-04:00

Toilet paper. You never know when that MRE wants out, and you really have no choice but to let it out. Either use leaves or TP. Grabbing poison ivy isn't always a wise choice for field expedient toilet paper. And no MRE paper does not work.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-10-02T11:53:20-04:00

There are 2 things I always have on me, my leatherman and my pocket knife. They don't get much use when I am sitting in my office, but are damn near required while in the field.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 2 at 2015 11:56 AM

2015-10-02T11:56:59-04:00

2-3x thick boot socks with dress socks or sock liners and applied foot powder pre-rolled so you can quickly roll them up your foot from the toe in a zip lock bag on the top of the pack.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-10-02T13:05:04-04:00

Does anyone have one of those cots that has a tent that sets up on top of it? I don't want to seem high maintenance with something like that but we are short on cots anyway. My logic is it would double as a convenient place to change. Being the only female, I hate having to play the "nobody look" game or rig up a stupid poncho contraption...

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Oct 2 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-10-02T13:09:35-04:00

Jetboil stove and Folgers singles coffee bags.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 2 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-10-02T15:12:36-04:00

Ammo crate or a toilet seat.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 3 at 2015 1:32 PM

2015-10-03T13:32:59-04:00

A shower is always nice.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 3 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-10-03T20:57:53-04:00

We used to pull practical jokes on our aircrews and have the ALSE (Aviation Life Support Equipment)guys pack an inflatable sheep in the survival kit when they gave classes before heading out to the sandbox. Air Cav, baby.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-10-03T21:34:20-04:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member Construction grade trash bags and ziplock bags. Use the trash bags as liners to keep things dry and as dust free as possible. Same for ziplock bags.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-10-04T12:11:50-04:00

I might be outing myself as a millennial, but having a solar charger along with an external battery pack to keep your phone charged is a must.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-10-08T13:42:56-04:00

A PT Belt, for safety of course.....

As an FDO, you'll be spending a lot of time in and around the FDC obviously, so you wont have to worry about staying warm most of the time. I always brought food (for the morale of the FDC or anyone coming through whether that be the bunnies or the CoC), extra chem lights, extra batteries, extra markers, gerber, watch, gallon plastic food storage bags (keep everything dry and clean), 550 cord, duck tape, cellphone charger (benefit of being near the FDC), a folding portable tailgate stool or chair (things can be slow at times)...whatever makes the quality of life for your joes and you better or whatever may help make your job easier are the right answers. That in mind, let your Soldiers load up first, your "stuff" shouldn't impact load plans or what they want/need to bring for themselves.

Keep in mind if you need to break down and move, you should/need to be the first one done in your team to set the example, and you'll need that extra time to coordinate your move, plan, etc.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Oct 8 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-10-08T13:48:35-04:00

Woobie, no questions asked!!!

Response by MSG Michael Murphy made Oct 28 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-10-28T15:17:39-04:00

P38 and a can of Vienny's

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 11:32 AM

2015-10-30T11:32:03-04:00

never mind

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 30 at 2015 11:51 PM

2015-10-30T23:51:04-04:00

Tobasco and TP... no more.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 9 at 2015 8:10 PM

2015-11-09T20:10:28-05:00

Zippo! Hands down....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 2:42 PM

2016-02-16T14:42:51-05:00

Sterno, P38, cooler filled with mountain dew and a few can of propane and a propane heater for my lil tent.

Response by SSG Derek Varchulik made Feb 23 at 2016 10:34 PM

2016-02-23T22:34:47-05:00

Anything to boil water & the goodies to go with it,,

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 5 at 2017 1:05 PM

2017-05-05T13:05:59-04:00

Today's day and age? A Kindle, hands down. Nothing wrong with having 2000 books in your pocket.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 5 at 2017 2:13 PM

2017-05-05T14:13:10-04:00

The all important P38.