You Need Me On That Wall!: February 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Camelback perfection

Okay, I bought this new Camelback. It's pretty much exactly what I've been looking for, I can't really think of any improvements.

I have an issued assault pack that I keep everything in whether I'm in the field or in garrison. I also have an issued Camelback. Obviously I can't wear both at the same time, so the Camelback goes into the assault pack when I'm carrying both. The camelback takes up a lot of space in the pack and is kind of a pain in the ass with all the straps and extra webbing. (Loose webbing dangling all over the place is a pet peeve of mine.) All in all, not a big deal. Certainly not worth replacing a perfectly good Camelback that was free.

Now in full gear in the field, especially in body armor, things get more complicated. Wearing the Camelback over the IBA drives me nuts. I almost always forget it's on (which is good), but I strangle myself when I go to take it off. Plus sitting in a vehicle with the Camelback on puts me in a forward leaning position which is uncomfortable.

Enter the "Armorbak." It's a small Camelback that comes with clips that allow you to attach the thing to the back of an IBA or other body armor, or even vest. So no straps across the front of the vest. It sits higher than the issue Camelback and is shaped differently, which should make sitting in a vehicle more comfortable.

Plus when I unclip it from the IBA, it fits beautifully in the assault pack. It even clips to existing quick-disconnects on the outside of the assault pack. A couple of pics.

We will be getting the new generation body armor before we leave, so I'll have to get a couple of pics of that set-up when I put it together.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

So we were issued sleeping pads

I'm a little pissed off that we didn't know we were getting self-inflating sleeping pads. I went and bought one a while ago. Mine is a little thicker, but they are made by the same company, Cascade Designs. The one I bought is branded Thermarest.

Col. Jessep:

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. ...my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!