the little things

[Earthpig]

What odd bits of kit has anyone found made a difference to their lives in the field,

It was common practice in the Maggot Squad to laminate nudie pics to the backs of all our topo maps. There was many a rainy night when I eagerly anticipated 'taking five' to go over our route to the OBJ.
RLTW
EP

[Ranger2]

I think that map thing was a Ranger thing not just your company.

Ranger2

[Parabellum]

If you know it is going to be cold and they say it is only a one day operation make and not to take any cold weather gear make sure you take an evasion map or a space blacket. It will save your life. Oh and Dip lots of it.

[Ranger2]

Poncho liner. I didn't have one for a few years and a couple of years ago I went and bought one. My kids call it the "Magic" blanket because it is always warm. They love it too. I take it everywhere.

Ranger2

[Saltbitch]

'Cho liner....hands down.

[Dublo]

footwear is the best thing for me. If you are going to go out Rangering, I find that it is best to wear something on your feet, otherwise you get some branches and shit like that stuck in your feet.

[the_machine]

I was all about carrying the poncho liner. Kept me from freezing my ass off more than once.

[eltrane]

In Germany I had a wet weather parka with a woobie (poncho liner) lining made, very nice when you're in the cupola on the autobahn in winter and the heater is out on the vehicle. I still wear it if I'm going to be out for a while in the cold.

[ChipOnShoulder]

As far as gear is concerned. Air activated 8hr. toe warmers. Used to stick them sons o' bitches all over my body and folks could never figure out why I was never cold :twisted: The next cool guy items would include a neck gaiter, decent gloves, and of course the cho-liner or smokin' jacket (M-65 field coat liner).

[CloakAndDagger]

I completely agree with Ranger Doc Cook. Especially that neck gaiter, one of the best things the Army ever issued me.

If you go somewhere overly cold, I found a good combo for head coverings: neck gaiter--pulled up over the nose, over that the old sleeping hood that came with the old sleeping bag (but is not on the parts list )--velcro that under your chin, it keeps the neck gaiter from slipping down, then the balaklava over that--also pulled up over the nose. This combo also fits well with the Helmet on.

There's also a heavy sleeping hood and booties that come with a 3-part intermediate(?) cold weather sleeping bag system--the one that has the green compression bag--the workers at CIF apparently haven't realized that the hood and booties are part of the inventory...they gave those back to me when I turned the sleeping bag in!