• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

kimgorden71's questions about 1980s training, clothing and equipment

kimgorden71

Guest
Inactive
Reaction score
0
Points
10
Could anyone tell me how they used to lay out and fold the kit back in basic training at C.F.B. Cornwallis in the mid 1980s? Also, looking for any information reguarding what kit the Canadian Rangers carried, what they carried in the rucksacks when they where on patrols in the bush doing what ever they where doing? Also did the Rangers use the p82 web gear or any web gear?
 
I don't have anything on Cornwallis in the 1980s, but the following image is the kit layout used by Basic Infantry (and other) courses at the Land Force Central Area Training Centre in the late 1990s. The one you are looking for would be very similar in nature, but with the applicable weapon and clothing for the period. It may be helpful as a guide if you can't find the specific one you are seeking.

To assist those willing to provide answers can you explain why you are looking for this information?

 
Could someone tell me what are the sizes for the old combat uniforms, mk2 combat boots, p82 web belt, and the old fnc1 rifle? Where the sizes in mens? How where the rucksacks sized or was there just 1 size for the rucksack? And what length did the fnc1 come in?
 
You may want to review this person's posts and the discussions they led to, she was also interested in 1980s kit.

Messages - naughty15tracy

I would also suggest you put all your questions in one thread. (I have merged your first two threads for you.)

Milnet.ca Staff
 
Yes, first, thank you for the picture; i am actually collecting the cold war uniform and kit and have been trying to figure out how it was all folded and packed in the duffel bag and foot locker. Someone told me that the way the recruits where shown how to fold their gear in basic training was how the kit was lade out in the foot locker and duffel bag. Though exactly the measurements and what went into the foot locker and what went in the duffel bag is still some what a mystery, i was still hoping to learn how it was all folded. Thak you all for any help you can supply about uniforms and gear and any other additional information you think well help. Oh, by the way, I am more looking for information reguarding female soldiers from the mid 1980s. Thanks
 
Well in Basic in the late 80s, your duffel bag was empty and use folded to be shaped, but not used as, a laundry bag, so there was no packing scheme for the duffel.  Sizes ranged from small sizes to sizes that were larger than the smallest, what do you want when you say you want the sizes, the NATO sizes, the S/M/L/XL/..., shoe sizes, do you care about widths too?  Size is pretty much irrelevant,  because uniforms would get made to fit, or alternatives would be found.  For example I did not get issued a work dress jacket in Cornwallis because the guy in front got the last one in my size, I got two combat sweaters instead.

Someone told me that the way the recruits where shown how to fold their gear in basic training was how the kit was lade out in the foot locker and duffel bag.
If what you mean by that is that the layout from Basic training continued after Basic, then that is incorrect.  I'm sure some schools had a locker layout, but at CFSEME we had to have a "neat" locker, and no beer in the privately purchased in-locker beer fridges and the fridges unplugged during the day.

I have to wonder what the fascination is with kit layouts from Basic training.  For most it was three months of ass pain (possibly followed by a further four months if you went to battle school), and then you went on with a normal life.  This is not to say that you were not molded by and formed great friendships during basic and trades training, but the kit layout was really incidental to everything else.
 
kimgorden71 said:
Oh, by the way, I am more looking for information reguarding female soldiers from the mid 1980s. Thanks

I've been in since the mid 1980's.  What do you want to know?  And please don't ask about underwear and crap like that.  We weren't issued it, we wore our own.  ::)
 
One thing I do know is how to take a large pair of Heavy cotton Gym shorts and make them a perfect 4" square!  :facepalm:
 
I hear that Dawg; I did corn-hole-is in April 82 & then another glorious 4 months in battle-school at Pet. Alt I can remember is white t-shirts, shorts, green passion-killer underwear, hankerchiefs starched to rock hard 2x2 or 4x4. Oh yeah, the always clean Cornwallis cripplers next to your highly shone boots & shoes on a floor you could friggin' eat off.  ;D
 
BernDawg said:
One thing I do know is how to take a large pair of Heavy cotton Gym shorts and make them a perfect 4" square!  :facepalm:

I don't know about the dimensions but my recollection is that the gym shorts were folded to exactly meet the size of the back hip pocket.  It was a bitch to get the waistband flattened and folded to meet the criteria.  If I was really ambitious I could dig through some of my old kit bags; I'm sure that I still have items for the 1980s era locker layout from BOTC Chilliwack.  They were heavily starched and permanently fossilized.  The similar items from my stint at Cornwallis (mid 70s) were not as well preserved.
 
And... Pressing your wind pants so they fit over the piece of file folder you were given to smooth them out when you rolled them to place in the old foot locker.
:warstory:
 
Actually there's quite a few threads on here where you could reply fourteen years later and still be up to date on the discussion...Army Reserve Restructuring anyone???
bazinga GIF
 
Back
Top