Welcome. Today’s topic that I am going to talk about is Gear selection and loadout. Gear selection is based on past experiences. I base my gear/equipment based on the type of mission that I will be going on next. Gear isn’t about just looks, my gear functions as multi-tools.
I do have a base loadout that I use as a base to build from. I’m going to talk about my gear from head all the way down to my feet. There are so many different types of gear companies out there that are very affordable. All my gear that I have I try to get as light as possible yet durable. Breathability is very important if you are going to be encountering wet environments or be sweating a lot.
Head: I use a Special Operations style helmet that are like F.A.S.T. styled helmets that everyone commonly knows as an advance style helmet. As hearing goes, I use Peltor Headset as my communications device as well as a form of hearing protection. There are missions that I use regular hearing protection. Eye protection, I go with Oakley Sunglasses that have changeable lens that can go from shaded to clear. I wear eye protection because there are small things that always happen that can affect my ability to see the battlefield. There are other brands and types of Head gear that I have used in combat that function the same as any other brand. On my helmet, there is a headlamp as well. I have found that no matter what time of day and light visibility that there is, I have used an addition light source to complete tasks. There were times that I would go from outside to inside a building and used my headlamp to see into dark shadow areas.
Torso: I wear plate carrier that have ballistic plates. I wear a size that provides enough coverage for my vital organs. I also wear side plates if I know there is a very likely chance of getting into an engagement. On the plate carrier, I have pouches that hold my magazines for my weapon. Another pouch that I have on my gear is from my magazines for my pistol. I do carry a Medical Kit that is only for myself. This Medical Kit has various amounts of things that can help my chances of living on the battlefield. My radio has its own pouch that is attached to the MOLLE webbing. I prefer to get the same material as
the plate carrier for the MOLLE webbing. I ensure that all the pouches that I have on my plate carrier are easily accessible and can retain the gear. I set my gear up so that I can easily reach all the pouches and know how they work. I conduct layouts prior to going on a mission or even a deployment. I wear shirts that are short sleeved. My shirts are at least some cotton and not full polyester. I have seen and experienced events that I was either blown up or had hot brass from the weapon melt my shirt. After these experiences I have choose to have some cotton to help melting to my skin.
Hands: I use cheaper type of gloves like Mechanix style gloves. I have gone through several pairs of gloves just for the fact that my fingertips would create holes in the tips of the gloves. At that time, I have just bought cheaper gloves and keep an extra pair in a pouch on my gear. I usually look for types of gloves that provide knuckle protection to help protect my joints as much as possible. Impacts and abrasions always seem to happen to my hands during the missions. I do like having the gloves to have a wrist band to help keep debris out of the gloves. Hand protection is very important if you are in a engagement or just conducting your mission during the hot of the day. There are items that you wouldn’t normally be able to grab without gloves. Shooting causes hot casings, these hot casings can burn your skin if the brass hasn’t had the chance to cool.
Legs: 5.11 Tactical Pants I have been using since I have moved to more of an instructor role recently. I normally just wear my combat trousers from the military. I wear formed fitted clothing that I have freedom of movement. I generally take knees to pick things up or cross certain obstacles that require me to reach with my legs. This wouldn’t be possible due to my pants being not fitted properly. I have worn through several trousers and tactical clothing throughout my experience. I pick trousers that have multiple pockets to hold various items. I don’t wear dark colored clothing. The reason why I don’t prefer dark colored clothing is my ability to change the darkness of the clothing to match the surrounding. This is a method and a concept that I use while making a Ghillie Suit as well. It is a very simple and yet effect method to use while in a Recon type mission. The pants get doubled stitched so that the seems are more durable especially being wet. While using tactical pants, I wear adjustable kneepads to help protect my knees when I crouch. I have taken kneeling positions in areas where I should’ve had some sort of protection for my knees.
Feet: I wear boot high socks to help with friction protection from the boots. I wear all different heights for footwear. I usually go with a Merril type boot. I have used Merril for a long time and not being disappointed. I have used other brands and style boots as well. I personally have feet that will fall apart if not looked after. Foot health and comfortability are important to take care of. I usually go with breathable type footwear that dry quickly and are lightweight. I don’t like using footwear that has zippers built into the side. Zippers have failed countless times, where they were needed to flex under duress. I switch out my laces for 550 cord as a survival method and knowing the paracord is very durable.
Equipment: There are various amounts of gear and equipment that I use on different missions. I always have on me a multitool that is handy. I have always found the need to use the multitool to fix broken gear or to aid in completing tasks. I go with a Leatherman brand and style multitool. Another gear item, that I carry is a flashlight. A flashlight is always useful. There will be times during the day where I would use a flashlight to see into a shadow hidden corner. I use a GPS no matter what I am doing to give me an accurate location. I typically use Garmin because it is a brand that I have tested while using it.
Gear will always be upgraded to better gear and newer concepts to use existing gear. I will continue to search and test new equipment. I will be doing a few gear reviews as well. My last piece of advice is for you to go test and use gear that works for you. There will be people out there trying to sell you something that might not work for your setup. There is also plenty of options out there for gear. Special Tactics will be developing gear in the future that will help solve issues for various problems. Join me in my next post that will be coming soon.
