Battle Gear?

[Grayfox]

On another board I visit there's a thread going where members are posting pictures of their Battle Gear. You know, vests, plate carriers, back packs, etc.
I'm absolutely amazed at what some of these folks are willing to pack around if the SHTF scenario should ever happen. Some of these rigs would make our Combat Troops in the sandbox jealous. Not to mention the money they must have spent.
Now I admit that somewhere around here I have a set or two of the old Army Surplus 1959 type web gear. But it was fairly cheap. Besides, I figure it worked fine back in 1972, why do I need anything else?

I know we have a good number of folks here who believe in being prepared. So I was wondering how many have a a full blown set of battle gear? Plates? A backpack filled up and ready to go?
What do you think of the idea in general?

 

[Rastoff]

I'm not really that concerned that the country will collapse soon. In all seriousness, we have a good example; the USSR. When it broke up, the world didn't end. There weren't mass riots and the military generals didn't go rouge. No real reason to believe it would be different here.

Even so, it's not gonna happen. So, I've got better things to spend my money on.

 

[Smokin9mm]

I'd just wrap myself in tin foil

 

[wheelyfun66]

I left my battle gear behind when I left Iraq, and don't miss it one bit!!

Well, technically, I didn't "leave it in Iraq", but you get the point!

If the SHTF here in the US, I still wouldn't want to be bogged down by all that Kevlar......

Lead has a funny way of finding flesh, even when you are "wrapped up" in battle gear.

 

[ClayCow]

Uhm. A lot of people don't realize that it may look cool, but they'll abandon that **** in a jiffy the moment they realize they'll have to lug it around.

I'm military, I don't have a bug out bag, but all you need is your gun and ammo and a sleeping bag

 

[islamoradamark]

i would like to say im ready but there is always something else u could use or for got about. food water and fuel i try to be ready for at least 6 months

 

[Joe Kent]

The thing that I most lack is both medical knowledge and equipment for anything beyond Boy Scout level first aid. Some of my young LE friends have what they call "blow out" kits that they keep with them at all times and that is one of my goals for the new year to get, both knowledge and tools. I think it would be good to have at both the range and on outback hunting trips. There is really no excuse for not keeping up on the Boy Scout model that I learned over 60 years ago, Always Be Prepared! All my very best for a happy and prosperous 2015, Joe.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I'm about a million times more worried about my cholesterol.

 

[Eagle 477]

I think when the SHTF I would not want to be bothered by all that extra weight, I could use to carry extra weapon or ammo and essentials. just don't forget the Toilet Paper...

 

[JJEH]

I know we have a good number of folks here who believe in being prepared. So I was wondering how many have a a full blown set of battle gear? Plates? A backpack filled up and ready to go?
What do you think of the idea in general?

I have seen such pictures as well and sometimes my eyes are that close to pop out of the socket...

Being prepared is good, the question is being prepared for what?

Sometimes the scenarios that you see/hear on several TV shows are too far off IMO.

I have a 5.11/VTAC rig and love it.

It holds my M&P, two spare magazines and some shotgun shells. It works perfectly at the range and for home defense. You can put it on and drop it in a second. More gear can be added (first aid kit, hand cuff pouch, utility pouch, etc.) but I don't want/need it. For right now at least...

Now, since we are already living outside the city I don't think about bugging out. Our best chance is to bug in and stay put. It's everything here; shelter, food, water, meds, guns, ammo, fuel, toilet paper etc.

If enemy forces would take over our area than I don't have the time to pack all my stuff and constantly carry/move 1500lbs of gear.

So yes, I have given it some thought but I'm not going crazy yet.

 

[Smoke]

My first day in basic training I made the mistake of referring to my TA-50 as "Combat Gear". I think if it was up to him I'd STILL be doing pushups

 

[BigBill]

Leg holster for right leg, ammo pouch. The camp six pocket pants for my p&j sandwiches. I never hunt withou my p&j's

 

[CajunBass]

I'm old, I'm fat, I need my meds, and I've got a handicapped wife I ain't leaving behind. She can't walk to the mailbox, so any bugging out I do will have to be close to home.

I think my sweat pants, shirt, and slippers will do me.

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

In the Seabees, we refer to the web gear as 782 gear, same as the Marines. When I retired, one of my grandsons got all my 782 gear, back-pack, helmet, Gerber fighting knife, holster, and M-16 mags. Probably gathering dust in the floor of a closet somewhere.

 

[MasterTech1960]

I do not think that you can be totally prepared for every scenario out there. It will depend on what is taking place out side my front door as to weather I Grab and Go or Stay Put. Hopefully the SHTF scenario never happens but it does not hurt to have a plan.

 

[jimmyj]

Battle Gear ?
I feel about it as the new recruit that chose the Infantry over the Cavalry:
"If I am scare and running away, I don't want to be dragging a horse with me"

 

[nicky4968]

When I put a noose around my neck and a manacle on my wrist, that's my battle gear.

 

[jtcarm]

I watched a couple episodes of that "Doomsday Preppers" show. I mean, these people must be independently wealthy, to have that much time and money on their hands.

There was one guy not real far from me who had this HUGE stockpile of everything, really elaborate setup. He mentioned several times "in case martial law is declared." I'm no expert, but under martial law, I believe the military can march right in and take it all. And no matter how big & bad all his weapons and preps are, they'll always have bigger and badder stuff, and lots more of it.

I guess if you lived in the city it might be good to have a place to go in the event of something like Ferguson or the L.A. riots back in 92, just to keep the family safe till it blows over.

 

[just jim]

Funny how fear makes people do things out of the normal, who is pushing the fear?

 

[GatorFarmer]

I like having body armor around. I wore it for years as a slumlord. Handy thing to have and not all that heavy. I wouldn't even call it battle gear, I would call it bad day gear. A basic set up costs about what a new Glock does.

The ethnically homogeneous population of Wyoming makes urgent need less likely than when I lived in the ghetto.