INFANTRY: The Growth of Mail Order Equipment

StrategyPage.com ^ | August 2, 2004

[Cannoneer No. 4]

With the growth of professional infantry over the last three decades, there has been, not unexpectedly, a growth in companies that supply equipment for the troops. That is, gear that is demonstrably superior to what the troops were being issued by the government. This is not an entirely new phenomenon. American professional soldiers had long purchased superior gear from commercial firms. But after World War II, with a large peace time army and marine corps, better pay for the career soldiers, and a growing industry supplying new products for hunters, campers and police, it was only natural that many of the mail order catalogs for these firms should show up in the mailboxes of infantry NCOs and officers.

When the army became all-volunteer in the early 1970s, the new recruits, over the next decade, began to assume the same professional attitudes as the career NCOs and officers that led them. It became common for the troops to buy the same commercial gear (better sleeping bags, rifle cleaning gear, cold weather gear, Etc.) as the career NCOs had long done. But the commercial companies began producing more and more stuff that was suitable for professional infantrymen. Part of this was due to the growing popularity of paramilitary SWAT teams in police departments. But part of it had to do with the growth of paint ball combat as a sport. There was also an explosive growth in camping and hiking, as well as continued popularity of hunting. All these leisure time activities required equipment that was also useful for infantry. The commercial firms noted this, and began designing and manufacturing gear especially for the military market. Some foreign firms got into the act. Companies in Israel and South Africa produced superior military gear, and sold it to an international market.

A lot of the equipment troops were willing to buy with their own money was pretty mundane. Load bearing equipment (for carrying extra ammo, grenades, flashlights and whatnot) was popular, as were better backpacks, underwear and socks. Better boots were also popular. The army and marine unit commanders did not go along with all this “non-standard” stuff, and having their favorite gear “banned” was another of those uncertainties an infantryman had to worry about when he got a new commanding officer. The army organizations that designed and authorized the “official” gear also noted the competition, and the reaction of the troops. Eventually, the military bureaucrats decided to, for the most part, cooperate with the commercial firms rather than constantly be at war with the troops they were supposed to be serving. One reason for the change in attitude was the arrival of the Internet in the mid 1990s. This began putting all the troops in constant touch with each other, and forming a block of public opinion that bureaucrats did not want to tangle with.

As a result of all this, combat troops today have better gear than ever before. But it’s no accident, and a lot of people unwittingly played a part in making it happen.

[Eagle Eye]

Both of those sweaters, and the 'sleeping shirt' were some of the best items they ever came up with.

Funny that I found this thread while making another order from BrigadeQ'master. Highly recommend them based on quick service.

[19th LA Inf]

Life was pretty simple for rear echeloners in '52. We were actually issued secondhand winter ODs and undyed boots (ghastly white, had to dye 'em). Summer khakis were new, I think. MPs used to check us for civvy sox. Finally got decent overcoats when "greens" started coming in late in '52. That overcoat was the only piece of clothing that would have been worth taking home but it was "company property" and had to be handed back.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

What does the contractor on the battlefield kit himself out with? Any endorsements?

[Khurkris]

"Still use Nuc today. Hard to find the "Good" stuff."

Look for "Viet Huong Brand." Its has 3 crabs on the label. Usually a lite pink color or it could be orange and red looking with an fish picture on it. You'll know what I mean if you see it. Most chinese markets have this stuff. Its the best nuoc mam.

I like the one in the middle, the one on the right can be a bit...bitter sometimes.

More nuoc mam info:
"If you want to stock your kitchen with the bare minimum for preparing Vietnamese food, start with good quality fish sauce (nuoc mam). How do you judge fish sauce? Look for a light amber color and the words nhi or thuong hang on the label.
These terms indicate that the condiment came from the first extraction of liquid from the fermented fish, and is of the highest quality. Grades of fish sauces are similar to that of olive oils. That is, extra virgin olive oil is more flavorful and costlier than virgin olive oil. This same rule applies to judging different fish sauces.
Also keep in mind that fish sauce is also used in Thai and Filipino cooking, where it tends to be saltier and heavier in flavor. So, even though Thailand produces most of the fish sauce sold in the U.S., you need to make sure that the condiment you’re buying is made in the ‘Vietnamese’ style. How to do this? Look for Vietnamese lettering alongside the Thai script. Sometimes, the terms Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet are included on the label to signal a connection with these two famous fish sauce-producing areas in Vietnam. Fish sauce from Vietnam now sometimes use "Hon Phu Quoc" or "Hon Phan Thiet" (see image on left) to indicate that their product came from islands in those regions; hon means islands, and communicates a more authentic Viet condiment (versus a Thai product, which may not be clued on on such linguistic subtleties).
One Pigeon brand offers different grades of fish sauce, using degrees on its labels to reflect how much the nuoc mam has been diluted with water before bottling. For example, "25° dam" means there's 25% fish sauce in the bottle. According to the producer, most fish sauces are 20%. One Pigeon comes in several intensities. The higher the degree, the more you pay.
If ca com is one of the ingredients, that's an indication that the end product was made from a high quality anchovy native to the waters surrounding the island of Phu Quoc. Though I like Viet Huong’s "Three Crab" brand for its consistently delicate flavor, aroma and color, I often try newer brands.
Some are saltier while others are sweeter. Let your palate be your guide. One Pigeon brand from Vietnam is pretty good too, but not yet widely distributed at the time of this writing; I found it only in Little Saigon in Southern California."
Depending on where you shop, there may be as many as a dozen brands to choose from. As price is often a reliable indicator of quality among Asian groceries, select a mid to high priced fish sauce (about $2-3 per bottle!)."

[Eagle Eye]

I strongly prefer field pants over blue jeans, desert boots over traditional work boots, underarmor over regular skivvies, and different field packs over regular luggage. Surefires are hard to beat and the batteries aren't all that hard to find. My camelback is 18 months old and unused. Bottled water is ususally available. I've got several hats and caps. And in the winter silk longjohns and water resistant boots really are a must.

It's like most any other job, dress for the part. I'm in the office (construction trailer) more and more due to travel restrictions that keep me homebased instead of on the road. And maybe that's a good thing. But I won't be in suit and tie any time soon!

AAFES carries a lot of aftermarket stuff that troops and contrators wear and use from gloves to rifle cleaning kits.

[Khurkris]

Also...get some good Huy Fong Siracha or Chile Garlic Sauce.

Then look on another shelf and get some Lee Kum Kee Sauce to round things off.

...ok...I'll stop now....lol

[R. Scott]

When I’d get the opportunity to get into a town I enjoyed dried squid dipped in nuc mum and washed down with the “33”.
When I returned to the boat I was banned from below decks - the crew didn’t like the aroma.

[R. Scott]

Singha? Rice wine?
I’m not too familiar with Thailand.

[R. Scott]

And I felt my RVN experience wouldn't be complete unless I could sip a martini while ranging in the artillery for the evening ...

That brought up a really nice visual. Shades of M.A.S.H.!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[B4Ranch]

A ping to some links to pass on.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Beer

[7.62 x 51mm]

Agreed. All of my 7 'black rifle' bags are Eagle brand. Best around.

[dts32041]

Tell me, then the idiots came out with there itchy combat five button sweater, guess which one I still wear and buy?

[91B]

Last year they issued us the cold weather DCU hats when we went to the desert. I found a warm weather cap, with the lighter material and the air vents around the top, on Brigade Quartermaster's website and put in an order. They were on back order (and after a quick check of their website via the link you posted-they still are) and I didn't get my hat for 4 months, but when I did everyone wanted to know how I managed it. A lot of troops just cut the lining out of their cold weather hat, but it still wasn't as comfortable as my warm weather one.

[Squantos]

FR doesn't have enough bandwidth to describe the field modifications of gear we used and commercial vs issue. When one is forced with such issue as the L Head D cell flashlight that is equal to a candle and one match in a windstorm for the most part vs one of the new waterproof LED lights that are , smaller, cheaper, last 1000 times as long and serve the same search my rucksack purpose in camp . The term GI comes into focus.....

Leatherman Tool vs the issue GI pocket knife.

Camelbac, nalgene or platypus bags vs the old one quart canteen.

Glock E-Tool vs the POS issue crap

Wiggy sleeping bag system vs an extream cold or intermediate chunk of wet lead to haul around.

Goretex, polypro, polar fleece and fiber pile vs anything issued pre-90's

Danner boots.........period !

Spectra rucksacks and expedition grade packs like the kelty cloud which weighed in at no more than a pound or two empty.

Panythose as mentioned above.... ticks , sand fleas, leach and chiggers protection with added thermal qualities. Not to mention a primo pre-dust and sand filter for a engine and a improvised emergency fan belt .


The list can go on and on but bottom line is that for every ounce dropped from a must have gear . And by that I don't mean must have a play station II sort of deal. Just must have at a minimum in the field for long term existance load..... one can carry more food , water and ammunition while keeping a ruck down to a weight that doesn't require a pack mule to hump over the next ridge at 8 thousand feet in altutude. Gear that is proven to last thus the taxpayer get's their moneys worth and the GI a gazillion miles from a PX-BX has gear that will survive the test of impact, wear, water, dirt etc etc.....

Marines and Special Ops teams have made good efforts to reduce the weight of existance and fighting loads with modern gear. Now the rest of the line units need to get their chit togeather too........

Stay Safe !

[dts32041]

Now that is disgusting, never liked it, for some reason it didn't go with summer Kimchee (sp).

[Spottys Spurs]

Thanks for posting. Excellent references for further use!

[B4Ranch]

I think the boys out on the line should have only the best of the best. Weight, ease of use and total functionality are the only considerations that should be considered. $$$$ should never enter the picture for the man who walks into and hopefully out of combat. Now they guy who isn't walking doesn't need to be concerned with the weight aspect, tank crewmen for example but for the grunt, certainly so.

Less weight in gear means a plus for the one thing we all cared about, ammo. The more we had the better we felt. Just that one extra grenade could be the deciding factor in who walks out and who goes out on a stretcher or a bag.

[JoeFromSidney]

Singha? Rice wine? I’m not too familiar with Thailand.

No, it was a German-style beer.