uh oh? there goes the bivvy

[jswift872]

well, i don't know if i have a big deal on my hands or not, but..I picked up my kit today and i had everything in my bivvy bag, when i got home i noticed there is about 7 holes in my bivvy (at the bottom) and they are about the size of a Lonnie each. now my question, can i patch this up, or would it be considered (altering) my equipment, or do i just ask for a new one? BTW i am new as you can tell, from just picking up kit today, lol thx guys

oh, and also when i go to my BMQ do I have my ruck packed? or just put together and pack it as needed?, and btw, is a bivvy bag a "carrier" for all your stuff, or is it a sleeping bag cover, or both?

 

[Troopasaurus]

Well the bivvy bag is basicly a waterproof bag you throw your sleeping bag in and get into the sleeping bag and go to sleep. it isnt made to really hold weight. However i am just as new as yourself and will let the more experienced answer the repair and ruck questions.

 

[Inch]

Just take it back and show them the problem, they'll exchange it. There's no reason you should be repairing your own kit unless you're in the field and you have no choice.

The Bivvy bag is for sleeping in, the valice that you should have gotten with your sleeping bag is what everything goes in. It's a green bag with a draw string at one end and lacing down the length of it to help compress your sleeping bag once you get it in the valice.

As for the packed ruck, I wouldn't worry about it, they're going to want it packed a certain way so just bring it with all your kit.  Of course you can use the ruck to carry your kit but it doesn't have to be packed in a certain way when you show up.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

 

[jswift872]

thx, but what i don't get is, i tried to get everything in it, and some stuff still wont fit, like my air mattress, and ranger blanket, stuff like that, where do those go?

 

[Inch]

If your sleeping bag is rolled, it won't all fit, just stuff it in starting with the closed end. Both parts of the sleeping bag with the liner, ranger blanket and bivvy bag should fit in, it used to for me.  Strap the airmattress on the ruck above or below your valice using the same straps.  That should work till you get there, your DS will instruct you how they want it done.

Cheers,

 

[McInnes]

The sleeping bag is not to be rolled as it ruins it. Your biv bag is basically a waterproof bag for sleeping in. I usually have my sleeping bag at the bottom with the ranger blanket on top, both in the biv bag, the biv bag in a garbage bag, and the garbage bag in the valise. Remember to have everything zip-locked or in garbage bags in case it rains or gets in a river or something. The therma-rest just goes in its case and attach it to the ruck just as you do the valise.

 

[humint]

Oh god, FNGs.   Gotta love 'em

Your unit should be walking you through on how to set-up and use your kit, including how to wear the uniform. This should all be done before you go on course, so that you don't have a massive kit explosion when you get 50 new guys together.

So, that said, don't be afraid to go to your training company and ask for help putting your kit together.

 

[jswift872]

OK, so i got my valise filled with my sleeping bag, main part of ruck filled with ranger blanket, and other stuff, inflatable mattress is tied on with ruck, and same with combat helmet. I think it is good for now until they show us, which will probably be tonight..thx guys.