Non-issue, when you were in combat.
Non-issue, when you were in combat.
A Gerber MKI fighting knife[ the old "bent"blade version] a Colt Python,and a High Standard .22 mag. derringer[all privately owned].After reading some other posts let me add the "jungle hammock" and THE PONCHO LINER.Nick
Pilot survival knife. Given to me by friend before shipping out to RVN.
Hammock model 1966.
It was issue; just not to me.
Not in combat, BUT...
A Coleman 2-burner stove. Not listed on the vehicle load out, but since it was painted green we somehow snuck it by in West Germany. Great for us small teams who never set up tents to bivuoac. Set on Jeep hood, light it up.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...rner-stove.jpg
Not in combat either, but in the MAU camp at Subic Bay, RP, my prize possession was a civvy made mosquito net for my rack which my mom and dad sent me. Very useful! Gave it to our houseboy when we left out for Okinawa.
Off the coast of Vietnam on Frequent Wind I guess my cassette player was my favorite thing listening to the hits of '75...
"Stationed in combat?"
My second tour as an advisor in a SF border camp, I brought a gallon cowboy canteen to go with my 2 quart collapsible.
Water was a big issue in the dry season and we had no resupply.
Also a 6 inch Buck.
I had a pair of WW2 "spats" from a surplus store that helped keep the leetches out a bit.
My uncle was in the 1st Marines during WW 2 and credited his shovel for surviving the war. He said he dug in if he even slowed down a little.
I was in the Navy and slept in an air conditioned rack every night so I have no stories of my own. My hat is really off to you guys that did serve in combat. Thankful you made it and can share your experiences on the forum.
Two things that was with me every waking moment, My Buck 110 and a 22 Magnum derringer ( don't even remember the maker ). I might on occasion go around with out my S&W Model 15, but those two items were with me always. Gave the derringer away on departure, still have the Buck. Oh, one other thing I carried with me always was a small bottle of Hot Sauce.
My gerber Mk1 made opening the MRE packs alot easier than using a bayonet.
Mack
poncho liner
TL-29, never knew when the toy would jam.
I still have a p-38 on a key ring,if I could find it.
I spent my year in Nam on a base camp. My most prized possession was my Boy Scout camping pocket knife. I still have it.
It was the multi-tool of it's era.
Bottle of Tabasco sauce sent from home. Made any C-rats edible.
While in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I carried a small US Flag in my upper left pocket the whole time I was in Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq. I still have the flag with my "chocolate-chip" uniform.
My Randall Mod 14, in a Specopsbrand MOLLE sheath. went on every patrol in 2004-05 strapped to my left thigh.
I was going with poncho liner but I wanted to be original.(Ha,Ha everything I have ,I stole.Still looking for that original thought)Like TS I have them in cars,trucks,camping gear and dog houses.In fact ,I find myself buying the lastest camo models.No fool like a old fool.
Still carry a bringback TL 29.
Lost the pouch and pinchers eons ago.
They sure do come in handy. Have one army an navy also a few bosens knifes. Now if only could find where I placed them so I would not lose them.
Still have on my key ring, a John Wayne from the 1st ever C-Rat box at ITR I opened while at MCB Camp Pendleton, 1966.
Michael Thompkins, what's the problem with the wife? Buy her one too. My wife and I both sleep under poncho liners year 'round. They are a little on the pricey side[$40.00 +] but man, there is no more comfortable sleeping gear on the planet. Need help getting one? PM me I'll see what I can do.BTW; they are now available in the new digital camo. Nick
Mike, you are welcome ,seriously. I can sometimes buy them new in the AAFES clothing sales store on Ft. Rucker[depends on availabilty]. I have often wondered why the manufacturers don't make them in a civilian version in colors. I believe the would sell like hot cakes!. Nick
Nick, ebay has people selling them for under $20! Now, you can occasionally find them at http://www.unclesamsretailoutlet.com/home.php and right now they have the woodland camo gore-tex bivy covers for $37.99. Most of the places I've seen selling the bivy covers want around $100 for them. They also have the newer modular sleep systems ranging between $89.99 and $199.99 depending on number of pieces and condition. $99.99 gets you a 4 piece used system and $199.99 get you a 4 piece new system. I liked that "sleeping bag" because the whole thing compressed down enough that it didn't take up too much space and depending on time of year and weather, you could take only the parts you would need. Still, there's just something I love about the poncho liner.
Thanks Tom, I don't know about the places you mentioned but I bought 3[ for the grandkids] at the clothing sales a Ft. Rucker right before Christmas. They were $39.00 plus.I'm guessing that the E-pay ones are used?Is the stuff at unclesamsretailoutlet new and first quality gear? My grandkids go through poncho liners like poop through a goose! I have one old style sleeping bag with the cover, bag, inside bag[artic liner] that I bought at FT. Carson . Co.[ I could use the long "shoestring" to lace the bivy to the bag]They had the cold weather TA-50 that a lot of posts weren't authorized. Anyway I was just trying to be helpful. If someone wants me to get them one the cash register tape will be included. I did not offer to make a profit. Nick
Careful, Nick. I don't think it is legal to buy Clothing Sales for others. Here at Fort Carson now, as retired military, I can't even go into clothing sales and buy. I wanted a set of GI goggles and had to go down to Glenn's Surplus to get them.
Nick, the retail outlet is an offshoot of the government site that auctions off pallet loads of surplus stuff. They finally got smart and realized that some people don't want a pallet of anything, but would buy single items. Some of the stuff is new and some is used and they tell you what condition it's in. Items change depending on what's available in the system. They have once fired brass, also (5.56, 7.62, .50). They sell the brass in lots of X number of rounds or lots of X pounds. As an example, 35 pounds of 5.56 (approximately 2500 casings) unpolished=$124.95 and polished=$144.95.
The ebay stuff is hit or miss. You can get new ones cheap, but you could end up with one of the crappy copies. I wouldn't for a moment think you'd be trying to make a profit, I was pointing out that there could be less expensive alternatives. What are your grandkids doing to them? They're harder on them than grunts? Oh, wait, they're kids, I've spent many an hour trying to figure out, "How the hell did they break that?"
I used to keep a P38 on my keychain, until I was going through airport security and TSA took it. They said it was a dangerous item. But women were taking knitting needles right through without a problem. Fortunately I still have a number of them new in the wrapper from my time in the Army (74 - 86).
I still have my P38 on my keychain as well. I pulled it out of the first case of C-rats I got into back in '78. C-rats were dated 1967. Funny, the whole time I was in, I never ate any C-rats newer than '67. I also keep my dogtags on my keychain. I know it's not a smart thing to do, but they've been on there for over 30 years. Mike
Greg, how do you employ a P38 can opener in a "danger mode" ? The only thing I can think of would require a terrorist to drop his drawers and cooperate. Somehow,I don't see that happening.I bet some jerk just wanted a P38 and yours was handy.Homeland Security has some real gems working for it, starting right at the top! Nick
They can be dangerous! Mine is very worn and opens easily...especially while in my front pants pocket. I used to get stabbed in the leg a lot. Now I just carry them in my hand. I couldn't stand the thought of getting a new one or taking it off the key chain. Mike
Michael, crimp the hinge tabs with needlenose pliers. Gently,it doesn't take much. Nick
Bow and Arrow and a Spinning Real type fishing pole, When it came time to string commo wire across a creek or hang an antenna in a tree we would tie the fishing line to an Arrow and shoot it across the creek and then pull the wire across and we also shot the line over a high limb on a tree
to hang an antenna.
Lindy
If you look in the upper left of the picture, you can see the small US flag flying on my M577 track. All through Desert Shield/Storm. Still have it also.
http://enfielditis.net/internet_pics/577.jpg
Buck 110, most versatile knife ever, especially if you were a "boats"
Me, i'll 2nd the TL 29s. i still have mine..............Semper Fi
I do have my issued M16 cleaning kit, bayonet and bi pod and canteen. Somehow it fell into my AWOL bag.