runningwolf
Member
My unit, while full of derp has basically allowed us a lot of freedom in regards to gear setup up so I tend to forget some dudes have much more strict setup and ammo requirements. Thanks for reminding me of that.
@Wake27
1. Standard issue plates with a new backer for the carrier makes sense.
Army plates SHOULD be good, but they can go a long time without being x-rayed for cracks so I should clarify that I'm not entirely against buying hard armor.
2. That blows. I've heard nothing, but great things about it. Even so, a Garmin wrist system isn't terrible either. I would be disappointed if a unit doesn't have anything for individual use and not just vehicle mounted GPS. But it wouldn't surprise me.
Definitely depends on the unit.
3. I looked at that rig. I'm probably going to go back and look at it again. I tend to sit on things like this for a month, then go through each item, the thought process and market to see if I come up with the same conclusion. This, I'll be sitting on for over a year at least.
If you end up considering it vs the pusher, let me know as I have some thoughts. Basically though, I went to the gen IV after using the pusher. Jack of all trades, master of none type thing.
4. The only thing about the zipper system that I don't like, and @BooneGA brought up(credit due), is that you can't self access it as fast as just a regular assault pack. Use a sternum strap on the assault pack and it'll probably be just as secured to your body. But being able to swap bags that are directly mounted like that is ingenious.
True, however I hate having a lot of shit on my shoulders. I love that my PC and CR integrate. But even then, add a sling and a camelback or pack and you have a bunch of shit. Also, I've benefited from having it on me whenever I had my armor on. If nothing else, than for my camelback. Maybe I just drink a lot of water, but there have been plenty of times before I switched to the dedicated zip on pack that I had left my camelback and/or assault pack in the truck, CP, TOC, etc because I thought I'd only be gone for a few minutes and that very quickly turned into an hour or several. If I know that I'll be in the truck for 20+ minutes, I'll have some one unzip it or drop kit for a sec and do it myself. Otherwise, I leave it on and almost entirely empty, aside from the bladder.
5. I couldn't find the dangler on the Spiritus site, could you drop a link?
SACK
7. I think, humbly, "Leading from the front" = "Lead by Example". Does the officer need to be kicking down a door? The point is that it should be abundantly clear to the platoon that the officer is capable and willing to do anything and everything they ask their subordinates to do. Joes know the PL has a different role and it's not kicking in the door.
Two different things IMO. Most officers know they're likely not kicking doors, but a lot of them (especially prior service NCOs and insecure officers) don't know how to empower NCOs/subordinate officers and let them lead. Its kind of a semantics thing, but I think the saying goes against the point because its very easy to visualize. The PL isn't taking point in a wedge or standing in front of the line, sabre drawn, and announcing a charge. They also don't typically stand in front of a formation, like PT. So when does an o lead from the front? I don't think they typically should, so the saying shouldn't be as such. The NCOs should lead from the front, the o making bigger picture adjustments as needed. But, he is still a leader and must always be leading by example, that just doesn't mean in the front of a formation. All nit-picky and personal preference, I've just grown tired of ranking officers not letting me do my job and I know there are plenty of solid NCOs that feel the same way.
8. This made me laugh honestly. Did the CSM have a mustache? He has a mustache or he's one of those "pockmarked from rough shaving in the field , but still clean shaven" kind of guys.
No mustache. Nice guy with a very long record of service, but on the older end and somewhat aloof.
9. I'm assuming/deducing you mean keeping the right side/cummerbund clear for a handgun draw. idk if I would carry it.. Around the FOB as a FOB gat, probably. If I make GM by 25 as I plan to, then I'd feel pretty comfortable walking around with just the pistol on the FOB. Or keeping my rifle and pistol on m,e so I can let a Pvt. take the FOB gat to go take a leak or something.
Yeah you mentioned that as one of your principles. Again, I agree, but the number of people who are issued both is typically pretty small and even smaller an a PL. That being said, I fully intend on keeping one loaded, on me, and potentially concealed as much as possible if I get deployed with my next unit (hopefully...). Insider threats are getting more and more of our guys.
10. One of the reasons to keep it as light as possible is to prevent the temptation to download to a Chest rig and lose the ballistic protection. Why were you downloading the plates? That doesn't make a lot of sense at face value to me. I'm curious now lol. Cause that makes other carrier systems make more sense I would think.
Depends on guidance for the FTX. Our scouts would drop armor quite often for recce work. But I've also done entire FTXs in just FLC/CR for various reasons, like heat cat concerns in Hawaii. Also had plenty of times where it was based off of threat at JRTC, or just having to wear MILES. I've had several rotations where we had to wear MILES and FLC/CR during ROSI but didn't have to upgrade to armor until in the box. The temptation to downgrade won't usually matter, I can almost guarantee you that isn't a call an LT will be able to make. Realistically that level of assumption of risk would be up to the BN or BDE CDR, maybe even higher.
11. The reason for the drag handle is twofold: A personal story and just the general concept. I was doing an FTX lane with 280lb. Tungan as a SQL. Think Pacific Islander, the guy would literally wrestle sharks in his home country. He was the smallest in his family.... Anyways, we had a movement to contact as we were crossing a small dip. It was really just a long dried up river gulley that had smoothened out a bit. Tungan gets hit, but not killed according to the Lane officer. I went to grab his FLC and pull him. I promptly choked him as it yanked up and caught him the throat. I ended up fireman carrying/"jogging" back up this riverbank(about 10 meters in length and a steep grade) and towards the Casualty Collection Point as I fished out my 9 line cheat sheet to toss to the RTO next to me. That would have been faster, lower to the ground and easier with a drag handle. I dragged/carried 4 or 5 people myself on that one lane(we got lit up to make a point that's unrelated). A drag handle or two would have been nice that day.
I don't think its a bad idea, I've just never wanted to dedicate space, weight, and money to it. There was one time that I had been killed and my guys had to drag me. The OC made a comment that it would have been easier if my PC had a handle, but again, it works well enough (IMO) to grab the shoulder strap. Part of that is because the PC will fit tighter than a FLC and should hopefully minimize that chocking effect.
The reason I was thinking the 5.11 drag handle was it was the only one I had seen and the handle very closely matches the Sprint, Drag, Carry shown below
The spiritus system probably works much better though. It has less bulk and it attaches directly to the belt. The video below talks about it and the nod to 90s hip hop in the beginning was dope and well appreciated. He goes into why a drag handle works very well.
I definitely think I would change the drag handle to this one. Credit to DARCI for coming up with the design of this system.
12. What was the process like for a custom system?
It was a group buy, but I can't remember what forum it was on if not this one. They'll do it on an individual basis, it just may cost a bit more. Basically they removed the front pocket and replaced it with a large velcro field so that it integrates slightly better with a chest rig.