What is your favorite piece of equipment from the last 10 years?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:12:57 -0500

Of course everyone likes to complain about "we only get stuff from the lowest bidder", or "why do we even have this?". These things are negative and unproductive, but what about the positives? What I'm interested in are some of the pieces of fielded equipment currently in use that you feel are game changers in terms of enabling you Soldier on in whatever capacity that entails.

My personal favorites are:

1. The Medium Ruck

2. The M320 Grenade Launcher(super jealous of the Marines M32A1 though)

3. Crye Precision Pants

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Feb 9 at 2014 11:21 AM

1SG Shane Hansen — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:21:21 -0500

In Army Aviation we have been issued the FREE system (Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble). The layers of uniforms and jackets that come with that are my favorite. Not only are they comfortable, they are functional too. When a 150 lb crewchief or door gunner hops out of the aircraft with all of his "layers" on, that kid looks like he weighs 250 lbs but you know he is snug and comfortable after flying in the mountains of Afghanistan at 10,000 feet. Back before we were issued those, we just froze every extremity off and were miserable.

I would also have to say the M240 replacing the M60 (awesome machine that she was). I have grown very fond of the 240 over the past 10 years.

And finally, allowing us to wear Multicam (OCP ACUs), something that actually blended into the environment instead of that digital mess called UCP ACUs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 11:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:25:30 -0500

RallyPoint of course!!! <br><br>Everything else is just a new version of something we already have. Yeah, I like the new versions though, fit better, lighter, stronger etc.<br>

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 9 at 2014 11:30 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:30:51 -0500

For clothing, I am impressed with the Massif Fire and Ice system...it is a muliti layering system where all layers are fire retardant (base layer goes against skin, mid layer, then a lightly insulated shell that is windproof/waterproof/breathable). Fly certified for Air Force, and maybe other branches.

When deployed I also used the holster rig by Blackhawk. The part that I really liked was the Puck that allowed you to quickly snap the holster from the base unit on your molly loops on the body armor vest, to the drop leg, to the shoulder holster...retention of the weapon was Fantastic!

I also like the variety of smaller and mid sized day packs and bug out bags. light weight and well made. I have a couple of the 3 day bug out bags and use them for everything!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 11:35 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:35:17 -0500

The Buffalo, the Gyro Cam, and the Throw BOT!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 9 at 2014 11:45 AM

SFC Stephen P. — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 11:45:05 -0500

XFDL forms.

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I am such a poag.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 9 at 2014 1:16 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:16:05 -0500

Snivel Gear! Polypro, fleece, etc...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2014 2:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 14:04:11 -0500

Three things for me: <div><br></div><div>1: The Combat Action Tourniquet, by far one of the proven life saving devices as we found out that bleeding of the extremities was the number one source of battle deaths.</div><div><br></div><div>2: The Garmin Foretrex 401, simply put it takes all the abilities and features of your Old School PLGR and Newer DAGR and puts it right on your wrist. This came extremely in handy for me while on Dismounted Patrols in the dangerous region of Wardak, Afghanistan. 10 digit grid immediately! Plotting your Waypoints and Areas of Interests have never been easier.</div><div><br></div><div>3: The CROWS System, no need to put the gunner in harms way anymore. Extremely accurate and not to mention better vision at night(Thermal) yes many may not like it and say "Owh well a real human can make a better split second decision" but in reality, its a great design and keeps our gunners safe from sniper fire and/or Grenades being dropped in the hatch from overpasses and such.</div>

Response by CPT Marcus Jeffries made Feb 9 at 2014 8:21 PM

CPT Marcus Jeffries — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 20:21:37 -0500

There are a lot of good things listed but I do have to agree that the medium ruck and the The Garmin Foretrex 401 make life easier while on patrols.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2014 8:04 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:04:12 -0500

I'm not only saying this because I am a mortarmen but because it is a very well designed piece of equipment and very easy to operate. The RMS6L mortar system that is in strykers currently very accurate due to it's recoil and the rate of fire is increased by the use of gunner's display and large wheels to manipulate the gun.

Response by LtCol David Gran made Feb 11 at 2014 3:39 PM

LtCol David Gran — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:39:23 -0500

Duct Tape!

Response by CPT Mike M. made Feb 11 at 2014 3:43 PM

CPT Mike M. — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 15:43:51 -0500

The OCP Medium Ruck is a good one from last deployment. Still debating on biting the bullet on the cost and telling CIF I lost it and do a statement of charges.

The sleep system really works. Had to use it on a few very cold field nights.

The whole modular ECWCS system. It's kept me warm in many a cold environment and that's without ever needing to touch the marshmallow suit so I'm sure it'd work in places like Alaska as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2014 8:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:17:31 -0500

1. ECWCS: I remember the cold weather clothing authorized when I was a young Soldier was not adequate. This system is great as it addresses most cold weather climates and allows Soldiers to dress in layers in a safer fashion.

2. The MRAP: I will not specify a specific one above the others. But for the preservation of life this was money well spent.

3. The Combat Action Tourniquet. It has saved lives along with the restructuring of combat life savers course to stop unnecessary death due to blood loss.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 1:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:18:36 -0500

The ACOG. Above and beyond the fact that it makes weapons ranges less of a pain in the butt due to significantly lower bolo rates, it has made the average non-combat arms Soldier much more deadly and much less of a liability on the assymetric battlefield. Precision marksmanship with iron sights takes a lot of time and a lot of rounds. The addition of this one optical device greatly improved overall lethality.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 7:16 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 19:16:02 -0500

The M9 aid bag. It's light weight, and served me well in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 10:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:53:45 -0500

I was so impressed with the ECWCS 3 that I sent an email to PEO Soldier thanking them.

The ACH. If you have never worn an old Kevlar you don't know how good you have it.

BFT / FBCB2 yes I used to carry a map board I'm my Ruck (some times I miss it).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 8:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 20:44:51 -0500

1. mk48 best machine gun for the infantry period

2. bdu sleep system keeping all us grunts warm in the worst winters

3. the medium ruck although a metal frame would be better it does the job

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jun 28 at 2014 8:54 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 08:54:49 -0400

May sound silly, but...."Darn Tough" socks. Love those socks!

Response by COL Jonas Vogelhut made Jun 28 at 2014 11:03 AM

COL Jonas Vogelhut — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 11:03:29 -0400

I think there are many game changing items that the military has bought to give us the decisive advantage on the battlefield. I just finished serving as Project Manager for many of the Army's command and control systems. Our ability to build a communications network from scratch without cell phone towers, share situational awareness before the "Find my Friends" app came out, and synchronize efforts from multiple war fighting functions before the flash mob idea are just a few advances that may not be seen at the squad level, but make a difference. And as the guy who oversaw MANY contracts, we rarely do lowest bidder. (Called lowest price technically acceptable.) We really try for best value. Our warfighters deserve it!

Response by CPT Dave Shephard made Jun 30 at 2014 5:05 PM

CPT Dave Shephard — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:05:19 -0400

I wish my wife would let me get away with wearing this around.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 3:56 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 03:56:11 -0500

M249 Para, Tactical Tourniquet, Massif Flight Jacket and Pants, Surefire Helmet Light, and last but not least my Phantom Warrior flashlight.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 5 at 2017 8:14 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 20:14:38 -0400

The Woobie of course