tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post8893847535766850255..comments2024-02-28T20:56:23.768-06:00Comments on Sipsey Street Irregulars: Praxis: CrawlingDutchman6http://www.blogger.com/profile/09935420042995679958noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-29971145302582993582009-02-04T21:34:00.000-06:002009-02-04T21:34:00.000-06:00We (late 80s 82nd airborne) were fond of the older...We (late 80s 82nd airborne) were fond of the older LBE belts with the brass buckle instead of the plastic clip.<BR/><BR/>Adjust belt tight, then add a hunk of 550(paracord) to allow a loose fit as well, so you can swap easily. The brass hook-and-eye buckle worked great for this.<BR/><BR/>If you knew it was a long crawl, you'd actually unhook your belt completely and then hook it behind you, so the whole belt bunched up on top of your buttocks. It slid to the side sometimes, but it stayed out from under you.<BR/><BR/>We had a stupid amount of stuff on our belts compared to guys I saw in leg units. But then we had too much in our packs too, as our mission was to operate unsupported for 72hours with only what we could carry in on our backs.<BR/><BR/>I had 2 ammo pouches (full of tools and parts for my M60), 2 canteens, buttpack, 9mm holster, bayonet, firstaid pouch, Etool, gasmask, gloves, etc etc. Riflemen had 4-6 ammo pouches, but then they didn't have 6 100rnd boxes of 7.62linked hung around them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-32423979934548662142009-02-04T20:24:00.000-06:002009-02-04T20:24:00.000-06:00Along with the camo veil and space blanket, don't ...Along with the camo veil and space blanket, don't forget the overlooked e-tool. Damn it if you like, but don't forget it. It is second line gear, and does not go with the rucksack. Since it won't fit your pocket it goes somewhere else in between. Web gear for low-speed operators, anyone? Can this concept drive a wedge into the assault vest craze? This is a big subject, often discussed elsewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-78360910579593548962009-02-04T16:44:00.000-06:002009-02-04T16:44:00.000-06:00I was an AF cop, so our load at work was different...I was an AF cop, so our load at work was different from when we were in the field. Field load was 2 ammo pouches, canteen, compass, flashlight, ranger beads, and whatever fit in the "butt pack o' life."<BR/><BR/>LBE was adjusted and taped down with green duct tape; no noise.Crustyrustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09478587825608882510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-54391741472562484512009-02-04T16:17:00.000-06:002009-02-04T16:17:00.000-06:00In a modern day situation, you also need an invisi...In a modern day situation, you also need an invisibility cloak of sort- to escape the thermal imagers and infrared devices that are no doubt out there in the night.<BR/><BR/>A space blanket can be integrated into a hooded cloak and that can give you an extra level of protection in a night that is not dark anymore: to mechanical eyes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-63734985840243563492009-02-04T15:11:00.000-06:002009-02-04T15:11:00.000-06:00Mr. E,As long as you adjust your pouches so you ha...Mr. E,<BR/><BR/>As long as you adjust your pouches so you have about 12 to 14 inches of clear space in your front and no large pouches on lower than your sternum, having the belt snug (but <B>not</B> tight) will be much more comfortable when snaking along the ground...also, doing it that way negates the issue of jangle/rattle when you get up to move on your feet.<BR/><BR/>As to "travel light, freeze at night, ready to fight", we were in the same school process...however, we've found that for 3 season ops, a poncho & poncho liner just isn't enough to keep you agile, mobile, and tac-ti-cile. We use 3 day packs with quick release straps, much in line with the size of the early "small" ALICE that was issued to ARVN troops. As we have absolutely no re-supply to count on, we require our folks to carry enough to get them through a 96 hour operation, which would mean a good amount of survival equipment, some food, and even a half toothbrush with some salt/baking soda.<BR/><BR/>Not saying this is the "only way", just a way we've found to work.<BR/><BR/>Enjoyed your comments! Thank you for your service, Sir.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-2560310425100472662009-02-04T12:36:00.000-06:002009-02-04T12:36:00.000-06:00Hmmmm, I'll have to play with the concept of havin...Hmmmm, I'll have to play with the concept of having the belt tight, but with ammo pouches and such still out of the way, not up front. <BR/><BR/> Having the web belt buckled didn't seem to work well when I was in, but maybe I did not practice enough crawling to see the benefits, as opposed to the unbuckled LBE way we did it. Never too old to learn new tricks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-73201216583240131542009-02-04T12:31:00.000-06:002009-02-04T12:31:00.000-06:00Ditto. In my unit we also used the LBE, with all...Ditto. In my unit we also used the LBE, with all metal replaced with paracord, and never buckled it in the front, so it could hang out of the way on the sides and back while crawling.<BR/><BR/>We carried minimal gear - three mag pouches, canteen, and a buttpack in the back for the pogie bait and what-not. Compass on a cord in BDU shirt pocket, and Swiss Army knife in pants pocket on para cord, along with matches, water purification tabs, and such.<BR/><BR/>And for warmth and shelter we carried only a poncho liner and poncho, and used a field jacket liner under our BDUs and if it was really cold, polypro underwear, wool cap and gloves. <BR/><BR/>Travel light, freeze at night, but ready to fight.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-34987915742667633092009-02-04T09:58:00.000-06:002009-02-04T09:58:00.000-06:00Amen. Low crawling with ammo pouches cutting off ...Amen. Low crawling with ammo pouches cutting off your femoral arteries is not fun. I always wondered how someone would maneuver with those funky tac vests with everything on their torsos. I never got around to getting one when I was in, just plain ol' LBE. 2 ammo pouches, canteen, handcuffs and butt pack.Crustyrustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09478587825608882510noreply@blogger.com