load carriage

[P Kaye]

What are reservists being issued these days for load carriage?  Are they still issuing the old webbing, or are they now issuing tac vests to reservists?  Does entitlement depend on unit/area/rank/trade?

 

[foerestedwarrior]

Well, from what I have seen/heard on here. The mojority of reservists have the new TacVests. I have heard out west they are in short supply of even CADPAT, so i dunno, 32CBG is almost completley over to TV's, even guys on their BMQ.

 

[P Kaye]

Cool thanks.  I guess I should insist on a TV when I get kitted-out at NDHQ in Jan.  When i was originally kitted-out a year ago, it was webbing, and all the guys on my BMOQ (31CBG) had the old olive green combats and nasty old webbing.

 

[foerestedwarrior]

Remember though, in some cases it is a push item, not a pull. If you are in 31 CBG, i think they are in the same boat as 32CBG, full issue. My OC got mad when the new guys(in under a year, or not fully trained) were not issued it, he said that the LFCA commander said TV's for all, like some ind of robin hood guy ;D

 

[P Kaye]

I'm actually now with 33 Brigade (Ottawa).  Being kitted at NDHQ.  One would hope that NDHQ would not be short on stuff!

 

[Arctic Acorn]

Okay, I'll say it.

One would hope that of all the units and HQ's in Canada, NDHQ should NOT have something like Tac Vests. Frankly, the folks who will actually use/need those types of kit should get them first. Guys in Petawawa or Valcartier, or reserve units who deploy regularly or do lots of field time should get priority.

Just my opinion.

:dontpanic:
J.M.

 

[HollywoodHitman]

I'm gonna have to go with Java man on this one. Give the guys who need the kit, the priority. I never have forgotten when I couldnt get a bivvy bag and some warm stuff because someone who has NEVER been in the field received all the gucci kit before anyone else in the rifle company................

 

[P Kaye]

Sure, of course I agree with this.  What I meant was that if there is a shortage in supply, NDHQ would be the least likely place for there to be a shortage (being that it is "headquarters").  I didn't mean to suggest that soldiers with administrative desk-jobs should be given the kit before soldiers about to deploy.
My comment was actually inteded to poke-fun at our system... in reality NDHQ probably suffers shortages of everything from pencils and erasors to Tac Vests.

 

[Bomber]

Relax, look at all the time tables for distribution, there are still cpl's running around NDHQ with the old 3 season jacket and OD's, Corduroy anyone?  NDHQ is slated to get everything last, but there are a lot of officers and NCM's here with the  latest and greatest, the reason is that they have been on tours, just come from units, or are involved with prototypes and procurement.  One of the former majors in charge of Clothing was in OD's until he retired even though he brought CADPAT into the system.  He believed troops first, so don;t worry about this stuff.  I am part of 33 brigade, and I as well as all the newest guys in the Regiment have got the TV, some of the new guys have not got Gotetex or CF's, but were issued CADPAT bivy bags.  Just hiccups in the system I guess.  It was strange though when IECS first came out and the CG Band received them before any of the Infantry or Arty units in the Brigade.  But, at least they will be "band" new when they turn them in for ICE in a year or two.  Thus commanding a higher price on the surplus scene.  Think of it more like distributed QM warehouses, just in peoples basements.  Not being used or worn, just being held.

 

[P Kaye]

Don't worry - I'm relaxed ;D  I wanted to let everyone know that I agree with your comment whole-heartedly.
Thanks for explaining how NDHQ fits in to the distribution schedule - I didn't know that. 
I've actually haven't been up to NDHQ yet... I work in another DND building in Ottawa (CSE).  Our system here for getting equipment (computer gear mostly) is actually pretty good.  We probably have somewhat less red-tape to deal with than you at NDHQ, being we are much smaller.

 

[P Kaye]

By the way, what is "ICE" ?

 

[Horse_Soldier]

Okay, I'll say it.

One would hope that of all the units and HQ's in Canada, NDHQ should NOT have something like Tac Vests. Frankly, the folks who will actually use/need those types of kit should get them first. Guys in Petawawa or Valcartier, or reserve units who deploy regularly or do lots of field time should get priority.

Just my opinion.

:dontpanic:
J.M.

Take a big breather.  NDHQ QM stores is responsible for kitting 33 Bde units as well as the armd unit in Hull - so they need the field stuff.  Plus, there are a lot of NDHQ people sent out on overseas tours of whatever duration who need to be outfitted.  Believe me, those who don't need the stuff don't get it.  When I was posted from a field unit to a desk job at NDHQ, I had to turn in all of my field gear, including the OD green combats at that time (this was in the days of the paint by number garrison jacket).

 

[HollywoodHitman]

I found the QM in NDHQ to be very helpful and accomodating when drawing kit as an individual for a deployment......Noone else would do it, but they stepped up to the plate to help me out..........

That being said, I hardly think that a desk jockey in Ottawa requires operational field kit before a soldier who is about to engage in operations or training.

TM

 

[P Kaye]

I dont' think anyone is disagreeing here, but it sounds like a debate!  :-\ 
I think it all started because I made an off-the-cuff remark in tongue-and-cheek about hoping that NDHQ, of all places, wouldn't have shortages of gear.
For the record, though, let me clarify - I'm not one of these "desk-jockeys" at NDHQ.  Admittedly I'm only a reservist, but I am in a "field unit".  I'll be doing a lot of field stuff in the next year, although admittedly only for training, not on deployment.  Hence my curiosity about whether I'll be going out with webbing, or if I'll get a TV. 
I truly hope I would not be given a TV if it means someone overseas is deprived of one!
Anyway, I think everyone agrees with this principle, even though the system often has "huccups", and the wrong people end up with the wrong gear.

 

[Arctic Acorn]

I'm gonna have to go with Java man on this one. Give the guys who need the kit, the priority. I never have forgotten when I couldnt get a bivvy bag and some warm stuff because someone who has NEVER been in the field received all the gucci kit before anyone else in the rifle company................

Was it that hard, Hollywood? Join the dark side, my son....It makes everything easier.   :evil:

2Lt Kaye,

Thank you for clarifying your comment. Not that I had a big knot in my face over it, but I was ignorant as to the role of the QM at NDHQ, which has been since amply clarified. I had no idea that they serviced field units.

:dontpanic:
J.M.

 

[gorf]

Speaking of new Bivvy Bags......I saw about 10 Brand new (still in the srink wrap) CADPAT bivvy bags in an Army Surplus. I didn't get one because I had bought a green one about 3 monthes before  :threat: and because I didn't think it was legal for them to sell it (I thought there was a good chance they were fake), although they had all the gov. markings that are in the hood. I would think that they would at least be used a lttle before being sold as surplus, I mean they weren't even opened!!!       

 

[foerestedwarrior]

try contacting the local MPs, there were some same problems when CADPAT first came out.