Creative ideas harvested to outfit Marines under fire in Iraq

Marine Corps News ^ | June 16, 2004 | Lance Corporal Samuel Bard Valliere

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[John Jorsett]

Combining armored panels used to reinforce vehicle doors with scrap metal from a nearby junkyard, Sgt. Phillip G. Zacher, a vehicle maintenance chief for 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, here, designed and welded a shield to protect the sides and rear of a Marine manning a machine gun mounted on top of a humvee.

What astounds me about these sorts of stories is that nobody seems to notice these problems until troops start using stuff under fire. I've been developing things for the military for my entire career, and I know how much money and effort we put into figuring out the problems BEFORE our gear gets out there, so who fell down on the job on this shield thing? Did no one realize that the gunner will get shot at from all sides?

[jriemer]

I would love to see an episode of Monster Garage dedicated to military vehicles modified in such a manner by the actual troops that did the mods when they return home. A competition between 6 man teams from the Army, Marines and USAF fabricators that is judged in a demolition derby of sorts and the range at the end of the show. Run a gauntlet of commercial vehicles, then blast away with 7.62, 50 caliber and RPG's to determine the "winner" of design ideas.

From Monster Garage.com "Make suggestions for future transformations -- the crazier the better. We'll read 'em!"

Squantos, click to make your suggestion known...

[R. Scott]

So to speed up their exit, Reese and his crew removed the ladder and mounted small wood frames underneath several trucks' tailgates, holding them angled downward like a slide a mere three feet from the ground.

I’ve wondered about how long it would take to get out of one of those giants. At least with the old 2 ½ we could always bail out the side, but with these new monsters it could get a bit hairy. A slide! I can’t figure out if it’s inspired by sci-fi movies or a child’s’ playground.

[R. Scott]

I'm sure Jessie James would be more than happy to "blast away with 7.62, 50 caliber and RPG's to determine the "winner" of design ideas".
Maybe an Email campaign is in order?

[R. Scott]

Did no one realize that the gunner will get shot at from all sides?

You didn’t know? The enemy is supposed to be in front of you!
But in an urban environment counterinsurgency …

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, Cannoneer. Good thread. (^:
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Dire situations inspire ingenious solutions.

Troops across Iraq, including several here from the 1st Force Service Support Group, use the resources they have available, and in true Marine fashion, figure out ways to make themselves faster and safer on the battlefield.

 

Ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Squantos]

A little research for monster garages e-mail is in order maybe . I'd volunteer to set up the IED portion at the end of the show...........:o)

Stay safe !

[Squantos]

Don't they have to get a kitchen pass from the Marines before they can go above the high tide mark ?........< / SARCASM >

Stay safe !...........:o)

[Squantos]

Done !..........Thanks !............Stay safe !

[R. Scott]

From the Monster Garage website this is what I found for suggestions.

[windchime]

Bump!