Cadet Field Gear

[vadeanu]

  Who the heck said webbing is one thing you won't need? Webbing is the most IMPORTANT thing you will need in the field. The ruck and the rest of the crap you won't need at all. If you get cold or sum sh*t, suck it up. Webbing will hold angle light, knife, and i believe there are straps for purchase that holds your sleeping bag. If you need anything.. get webbing!

 

[ags281]

Who the heck said webbing is one thing you won't need? Webbing is the most IMPORTANT thing you will need in the field. The ruck and the rest of the crap you won't need at all. If you get cold or sum sh*t, suck it up. Webbing will hold angle light, knife, and i believe there are straps for purchase that holds your sleeping bag. If you need anything.. get webbing!

:

Flashlight: AA maglite with head strap attached fits nicely into the chest pocket on your combats with room to spare, and allows hands-free use

Knife: Decent size folding one fits in the same pocket as the maglite. If you feel the need to act macho and get a massive Rambo knife then guess what else holds it: your belt.

Sleeping bag: Sure you could go out and spend even more $$$ to keep adding to webbing... but why? You can also get a civy pack with room inside. If you want the sleeping bag out (i.e. smaller pack), most have straps that can be used to hold it already attached (no extra $$$).


So far we've used all of one tiny pocket. That leaves plenty for FMP, compass and numerous other items. If you absolutely "need" webbing to survive a weekend cadet exercise with just a few basic items, then god help you if you ever join the military and have to carry a bunch of extra crap like ammo.

Like I said before, start with the basics. If you find yourself wanting more, honestly ask yourself if you'll be using that special looking milspec stuff after you age out - perhaps some civy equipment would be a wiser investment. Sure you might decide to buy a bunch of gucci milspec kit in the end, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just think it through first so you don't regret it later.

 

[AlphaCharlie]

Not to mention you'll get yelled at for having extras (such as knife and flashlight) attached to your webbing. You're not allowed (at least in the real army) to have stuff other than the issued pouches attached to your webbing (that would be x2 mag pouch, canteen holder, buttpack, 'nette holder and utility pouch)

 

[condor888000]

Webbing can be usefull. But you don't need it when you're just a cadet. When you start to have responsability and look after cadets, then the webbing becomes usefi=ull. I can garuntee that most cadets won't think of bringing extra gloves or a toque. Or a first aid kit. That's what I use mine for. Stuff that the cadets may need and not have. Until you reach that point, it's not needed.

 

[sgt_mandal]

I find it very useful. I put extra sox, my camera, my sweater, poncho and whatever space is left over, i try and fit as many water bottles as i can in them. You may be about to tell me to put some of these things in my pockets, but this ways , if we go anywhere i don't want to look bulgy, or we are rolling around on the ground, i can take it off, and nothing gets damaged.

 

[Sgt.Fitzpatrick]

    I got my bacis combats just over a $100 just go to a surplus store.  :cam:

 

[calno]

Webbing can be usefull. But you don't need it when you're just a cadet. When you start to have responsability and look after cadets, then the webbing becomes usefi=ull. I can garuntee that most cadets won't think of bringing extra gloves or a toque. Or a first aid kit. That's what I use mine for. Stuff that the cadets may need and not have. Until you reach that point, it's not needed.

you take a camera?

 

[sgt_mandal]

Yes. It's useful when you want to take pictures

 

[condor888000]

Webbing can be usefull. But you don't need it when you're just a cadet. When you start to have responsability and look after cadets, then the webbing becomes usefi=ull. I can garuntee that most cadets won't think of bringing extra gloves or a toque. Or a first aid kit. That's what I use mine for. Stuff that the cadets may need and not have. Until you reach that point, it's not needed.

you take a camera?

No, we have an officer whose sole job is to take pictures. Some seniors do though. I'm always afraid i'll break it!

 

[sgt_mandal]

I am too, but heck I got some nice pictures.

 

[21trucker]

All you really need are combats (maybe 2 sets), and maybe webbing for the senior cadet ranks to carry things others may have forgot. And to distinguish them from junior cadets.

In the corps i volunteer with, things like rucksacks, windpants, 3 season jacket, and sleeping backs are issued to them prior to a weekend ex from area hq. Are we the only unit that does this??

As for knives, pocket knives are the only kind that go on our weekends, no rambo knives (zero tolereance).