Posted on Jun 9, 2017
What piece of gear would you tell a first time deployer to make sure to have?
71.3K
1.06K
261
55
55
0
Besides tithe issued equipment that are going to be brought downrange regardless of if you like it or not, what item(s) would you tell one of your first timers to make sure to bring to either make their life easier or perhaps just more bearable?
Deployment
Leadership
Military Life
Gear
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 172
125
125
0
If the environment is suitable, a laptop with plenty of games and access to e-books.
If internet is available, an online learning plan to better yourself and make productive use of downtime.
A deck of cards and maybe some poker chips for when you're feeling social.
Some visual training aids for when you are not feeling social.
A last letter, just in case.
A small token from everyone important to you back home. For me, that was a picture of my family all together, another of just my wife, a small square of fabric from my youngest's baby blanket, a bead bracelet my daughter made for me, and my middle son's teddy bear, which he insisted I needed more than he did even if he was afraid of the dark.
If in an austere environment,
A compass.
Signaling mirror/ strobe.
A quality multitool
100ft of 550 cord
A phrasebook in the language of the local inhabitants
If internet is available, an online learning plan to better yourself and make productive use of downtime.
A deck of cards and maybe some poker chips for when you're feeling social.
Some visual training aids for when you are not feeling social.
A last letter, just in case.
A small token from everyone important to you back home. For me, that was a picture of my family all together, another of just my wife, a small square of fabric from my youngest's baby blanket, a bead bracelet my daughter made for me, and my middle son's teddy bear, which he insisted I needed more than he did even if he was afraid of the dark.
If in an austere environment,
A compass.
Signaling mirror/ strobe.
A quality multitool
100ft of 550 cord
A phrasebook in the language of the local inhabitants
(125)
(0)
1SG (Join to see)
A1C (Join to see) - 550 cord? Useful in a great many things. Lanyards for essential gear, line to erect a shelter, making a snare... endless applications.
(3)
(0)
(2)
(0)
114
114
0
SGT Mark Vaccaro
I was issued one in Hawaii in 91. I think it depended on you station then. Bought a new one when I left, used it every day for 20+ years. Oldest son bought me a new one for Father's Day. Use it every day except when I suffered a stroke and spent 3 months in the VA hospital. I even take it on vacation. Gave the old one to my youngest son and we all three use one to this day.
(2)
(0)
97
97
0
Basic Cadet (Join to see)
Make that Value/Jumbo/Family sized.
Hit up family or friends with a Sam's Club Membership if you can, as they have the best value sizes.
Hit up family or friends with a Sam's Club Membership if you can, as they have the best value sizes.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google