Shemaghs as a part of dress?

[TOArmyChick]

Depending on where you live, I saw them at Save More Surplus in Toronto.  They had more than red&white I think.  Um...I think one was greenish and black maybe?  This was a couple months ago yet, but they might still have it.  And they dind't cost an arm and a leg.  They were for sure under $20.

 

[KevinB]

We can still wear the shemag off camp on patrol as some are issue (and with the wind and sand here it does make sense).

Ghost - we have guys with medical chits fot non issue TV's now here due to the fact the issue ones suck and are causing injuries when loaded down...

 

[Jarnhamar]

On average how much do you figure the TVs you are using "loaded down" weights??

 

[scm77]

These TVs seem to have a tonne of problems. 

 

[KevinB]

Just TV, over 40lbs M203 and C9 gunners have more.
Ammo, Water, Night Vision, First Aid stuff, PRR's, batteries for our batteries intensive kit

Unfortunately 80lbs iof light weight gear is still 80lbs.

Add in the Flack vest w/ plates
and other doddads

Guys are over or near 100lbs.

 

[rw4th]

we have guys with medical chits fot non issue TV's now here due to the fact the issue ones suck and are causing injuries when loaded down...

Sidebar: That kind of stuff has always made me laugh, and it's always seemd like a double edged sword. If the issue kit (with all the "science" involved in its design) hurts your back, then they could just as well turn around and say you're not fit for the job and reclassify you.

 

[pappy]

The standard TV can hold that much? 40+ lbs? I'm assuming that's not just what's inside the TV, as from what I've seen the Standard Issue Tac-vest is pretty limited on carrying capacity.  4-mags, two frags, two smokes, one water bottle / ration pouch and one C9 pouch (assuming your humping extra ammo for them).  I assume all that extra stuff is going into a small pack / ruck.

Granted 40 or the higher load of 100 lbs is a shit-load, todays Kelvar / Body armor beats the hell out of the old Vietnam era issue we used in the Corps when I was in, at least these days it will actually stop something.  

And those old PRC-77's they wheren't called Pricks for nothing, 25+ lbs plus batteries if the nightmares are still current.  Comms are better these days for sure.  But it would be nice if batterys where a thing of the past.  I would why tiny fuel cells are more wide spread in military radios, seems like a no-brainer.  Lets hope you guys get them before your kids are humping the same gear your using today.

Maybe all the gear the QM issue should come with a Pack-goat....  at least if the turd was in the wind you'd have at least fresh meat.
;D

Always the curse of the Infantry, carrying too much and getting too little credit for it.

Buy some Good Boots.

 

[HollywoodHitman]

Rather have my issue TV than the 82 Pattern.........Me likee........The fact that they CF is issuing kit that some thought has gone into is interesting though.......The CF changing its thinking........Sort of scares me........

Sort of.....

Back from Bosnia guys.......Nice to be home. 

 

[rounder]

Everyone is issued a scarf, and if you let this issue go then we'll look like a ragtag army. Where do you draw the line? I'm still pissed about having to get permission (chit) for issued black JB's. WHAT THE F!@K is up with that?

 

[gun plumber]

I've always been in favor of non-issue kit used in the field.As long as it does'nt look gaudy or compromise what we do( yellow MEC wind breaker)or your overall effectiveness( 40 million pouches on your web gear to get caught on everything).I myself am a gear slut'always looking for the "high speed,low drag" kit to reduce the uncomfort that everyone experiences once in a while.
IMO most of the issued stuff we get is crap.For all the T&E that goes into it you'd think that it would be higher quality than kitshop gear,but this is not the case.
Any fool can be uncomfortable,but it takes a prefessional to be comfortable.
I agree with your statement about "rag tag" look,but only if it isnt kept in check.No one needs a claymore to cut paracord or a 1300L bergan(sp) to carry 5 days worth of kit.The small things like gloves,scarfs,socks and such should be left to the soldiers descretion as long as it does'nt interfer with the mission.
I feel for ya about the boots though.When I arrived in Borden for my 3's I was diagnosed with an orthodic problem.Even though the MO perscribed Vibram soles for my boots,the system would'nt pay for them because I was a "student".I was told to wear the WWB till I got posted to my new unit, then I would get proper footwear.After wearing the WWB in plus 40C weather not only did my orthodic condition deteriate,but also I had feet that looked like raw meat.
It was'nt until I got to where I'm at now that this issue was adressed and now I am the proud owner of 2 pr or Danner acadias.
Med chits for stuff that is considered "stupid" by some can mean the difference between injury or continued health for others.
You really don't Know someone until you've marched a mile in thier boots
My 2 cents
Arte et Marte

 

[rounder]

When I arrived in Borden for my 3's I was diagnosed with an orthodic problem.Even though the MO perscribed Vibram soles for my boots,the system would'nt pay for them because I was a "student".I was told to wear the WWB till I got posted to my new unit, then I would get proper footwear.After wearing the WWB in plus 40C weather not only did my orthodic condition deteriate,but also I had feet that looked like raw meat.

Unbelievable!!! And you're Reg Army too. That's embarrassing man. I feel for you.

 

[gun plumber]

Alot of that "staff or student" bullshyte happens in Borden.Anywhere that you go to get something done that question was asked.
The MIR was about the most"giving"of all the places but as you read in my post it was'nt much.....
The absolute worse was supply.Just to put it in perspective....
I component transfersd to the regs with all of my gortex kit.I had torn a small hole in my jacket due to training in the field and after ex,proceeded to stores to exchange it.I was asked right away "staff or student"from the civy tech behind the counter.I naturally told him "student" and showed him my jacket.With that out of the way,he told me that because I was a student I was not entitled to have gortex kit and that I would have to turn it all in.I protested telling him that I was an ex reserveist and that I kept all my kit upon transfer.He then proceded to tell me that if I needed a new coat,he would issue me with the old jacket and take my goretex and take it off my docs.needles to say,I wore a ripped gortex jacket until one of my staff exchanged it for me.
To add salt to the already open wound,an airforce PAT walked in for kit and was told that his gortex jacket was'nt to be worn in the field or while he did work!
I just shook my head and walked out....
Not knockin' supply guys,but the kit on the shelves is'nt yours and yours alone......

 

[bossi]

Just to pick nits, since the word is originally Arabic and Arabic doesn't really have any written short vowels, any variation of the spelling is sufficient, since we all know what they're talking about.

A perfectly field-serviceable shemagh can be made from the combat scarf, and they work quite nicely.

I'm saying this politely - NOT trying to be a nit-picker or whatever ...

From a phonetic perspetive, perhaps "-agh" gives a better indication of pronounciation
(i.e. not like bag, hag or mag, but more like "maw" or County Armagh, Ireland?)

In the context of wearing/using the shemagh in Afghanistan, "when in Rome, do like the Romans".
The more loosely-woven fabric of the CF issue cbt scarf would have acted like a dust trap, whereas the more finely woven cloth of our shemaghs offered better protection the wearer from the incredibly fine, powdery dust and sand.

Additionally, the issue CF cbt scarves are better suited to cold weather, vice temperatures in excess of 30 degrees celsius.

The issued shemaghs were a boost to morale, rather than "making do".

So, that's my $0.02.

 

[rounder]

Good point... I guess it is environmental clothing... it should have been issued then. Like the Camelbak.

 

[bossi]

Clarification:  On Roto 0 the shemaghs were issue.

 

[Recce41]

It's your damn scarf. I have a few from tours, but just wear my scarf cutdown. To me it's the look cool thing. I have some other Brit kit. Having a cousin with the Brits helps, but who cares. Just cut your scarf. As for foot wear, here the low down. It Ontario West you can be issued Danners, In Quebec HTs, In the Shit Hole of Canada you can only be issued crap ( Matterhorns made by Corcorans). I wear Arcadias and are  the best pr of boots I own.
Well for chits. This prevent soldiers from just wearing anything they want to.

 

[Niss]

Heres a question about the combat waffle scarves. Why go through the process of making them green to help in concelment, when there is a white tag that takes up 1/5th of the friggin thing? ???

 

[Burrows]

Heres a question about the combat waffle scarves. Why go through the process of making them green to help in concelment, when there is a white tag that takes up 1/5th of the friggin thing? ???

Does it turn over?

 

[Niss]

Ya but isnt there the chance that the white side might be exposed?

 

[aesop081]

Here's a novel idea.....


Why dont you just take the tag off , if you are so worried about it ?