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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Infantryman's Field Kit
Message-ID: <1991May2.040114.19995@amd.com>
Date: 1 May 91 21:41:17 GMT
References: <1991Apr22.071734.24926@amd.com> <1991Apr23.053758.23784@amd.com> <1991Apr29.051409.5083@amd.com>
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)


> From: bxr307@csc1.anu.edu.au
> Here in Oz the almost reverse is true.  Most infantry officers below
> Battalion CO in the infantry will attempt to carry a long arm (rifle)
> rather than a short arm (pistol).  

In 'peacetime' everyone wants to wear a pistol and not carry a rifle.
Why?  'Cause carrying a rifle is a pain - and loosing one is not a 
career enhancing move.  But, when the bullets are going to fly for real
now, everyone wants a rifle - for firepower, protection, whathaveyou.

A while back there was a growing practice of 'senior' officers of the
1st Inf Div carrying 'plastic' or 'hard rubber' "training aid" .45 
pistols - instead of their real ones.  Then, they didn't have to worry
about securing them and safekeeping.  Well, the 1st ID deployed to
Germany on Reforger - with their plastic .45's.  While in Germany -
the Yom Kippur War broke out.  The 1st ID was alerted to be prepared to
deploy to the Mid East should circumstances warrant.  *PANIC!!*  - by
all the plastic-armed officers.  (Subsequent to that - it was declared a
Court-Martial offense to be caught carrying a plastic weapon on training
manuevers - so sayeth Major General George S Patton III, Deputy Commanding
General, VII Corps) 

But, basically, weapons are assigned to individuals by MTOE position.
"Commanders" usually carry a pistol.  Platoon Leaders (lieutenants) carry
M16s.  Tankers carry pistols.  'Track Drivers' carry the old M2(?) [M3? --CDR]
.45 grease gun.  M60 Machine Gunners carry pistols.  You're right in that
a Captain company commander will carry a pistol - but a Captain assistant
division G3 will probably carry a rifle.   

In Vietnam - since combat troops ran through jungle fatigues like dirty
socks - most wore their fatigues without anything on them at all.
Some units specifically operated wearing "sterile" fatigues.  It was
during Vietnam that the 'subdued' insignia came about.  Name tags went
from white w/black letters to OD w/black letters.  The US Army tag went
from black w/gold letters to OD w/black letters.  All colored unit patches
went 'subdued' with OD/Black.  EM/NCO ranks went from gold chevrons on the
sleeves to small black chevrons on the collar.  Officer ranks went from 
white to black on the collar.  All intended to be "reduced visibility" in
combat.  Today the camouflage BDUs (battle dress uniform) with subdued
insignia makes it very very difficult to see ranks/unit insignia (except
for the huge 1st CAV patch).  However, (as seen in the Gulf) once a soldier
puts on his Chemical Protective Overgarments - all insignia is covered up. 

> > sleep-shirt
> A what?  For use in the field?  You got to be kidding.

Oh yeah, one of those things that become a favorite of troops in the field.
(like hot 'C' rations).  Kind of a banlon/flannel 'polo' shirt, long 
sleeve, collar, pullover.  Really nice to sleep in - during some cold
German nights.  Also comfortable to wear under your BDU shirt.  Matter of
fact I still wear my 'sleep shirts' when I go camping.  Of 'course - OD
in color.  Good "tradin' material", too.  

mike schmitt