so this is what i have....

[Boondock]

Does the idea of a bunch of "Rambos" walking around in the woods with guns, thinking they need to "pick off" anyone who "spots them" scare anyone else but me?

Who the hell said that? I mean other than you?

Yup. I don't think the OP was implying that in his post. And I know no one here on ZS would ever resort to such tactics, given that it's strictly taboo. However, I've generally found it beneficial to be frightened of and to avoid kill-crazy maniacs.

[Boondock]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

[kikoy]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

[LASwampRat]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

what exactly is a hypothermia kit?

[kikoy]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

what exactly is a hypothermia kit?

this is a hypothermia kit...

[Boondock]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

Apparently I'm having difficulty with what I'm trying to convey. A little help, someone, anyone?

[LASwampRat]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

Apparently I'm having difficulty with what I'm trying to convey. A little help, someone, anyone?

I understand what your saying boondock. i also agree. at the min the op should be carrying a tarp or at least a few big black contractor bags. personally i wouldn't go in to the woods with at least a hammock or something those can be supper compact and the moral boost that getting off the ground and getting a few hours of real rest can do for you is tremendous. its better to not get hypothermia in the first place then to try and fight it off.

[Evan the Diplomat]

I'll take shot. Bad choice of words.

We all start with what we know best or are more familiar with. For some of us it is camping or backpacking, for others it is patrolling.

You have some impressive kit, but some see your gear, long arm x 210 rounds (i'm not falling into the assault rifle nomenclature trap) semi-auto pistol, big head-lopping machete, armor plates; like you are going to fight your way home rather that be displaced by a disaster.

The wanderer who shows up in my yard wearing your kit gets my guard up right away because you are dressed for a fight.

[kikoy]

I understand what your saying boondock. i also agree. at the min the op should be carrying a tarp or at least a few big black contractor bags. personally i wouldn't go in to the woods with at least a hammock or something those can be supper compact and the moral boost that getting off the ground and getting a few hours of real rest can do for you is tremendous. its better to not get hypothermia in the first place then to try and fight it off.[/quote]

i do understand what you are trying to say....but in the kit is a reflective sheet that i can use as tarp(compact and part of a kit) to make a small hooch...

[kikoy]

I'll take shot. Bad choice of words.

We all start with what we know best or are more familiar with. For some of us it is camping or backpacking, for others it is patrolling.

You have some impressive kit, but some see your gear, long arm x 210 rounds (i'm not falling into the assault rifle nomenclature trap) semi-auto pistol, big head-lopping machete, armor plates; like you are going to fight your way home rather that be displaced by a disaster.

The wanderer who shows up in my yard wearing your kit gets my guard up right away because you are dressed for a fight.

thank you sir...also the only way i am travelling will be on the road on a vehicle....on the worst scenario, then thats where i start walking....

[Boondock]

i do understand what you are trying to say....but in the kit is a reflective sheet that i can use as tarp(compact and part of a kit) to make a small hooch...

Yup. They're great pieces of kit but designed to be used in conjunction with other gear. Spend a night in February under one--no warming fire and with the clothes you've got, thus far--and you'll understand.

[Shado67]

...but with shelter....i already have been in worst places most people wont even dare to be in...

So have many on this forum and most will tell you that weapons and combat experience won't protect you from hypothermia.

thats why i have a hypothermia kit....shelter is been taken care of...

Apparently I'm having difficulty with what I'm trying to convey. A little help, someone, anyone?

I think what OP is saying is that he has shelter covered and it's all he needs and suits him.

[LASwampRat]

OP i do have a question. If you are planing to use this kit to get to your fam. how far away are they? how long does it take driving under ideal conditions? now how long do you think its going to take under SHTF conditions on foot taking the back roads and off the beaten path as you say? the question to ask is, will your current setup sustain you for that long? if not you should reevaluate your set up. i understand being in the military you have a different point of view on things. i am not knocking that. but if you really are on your own there is no inside the wire safe zone to fall back to to get your rest and food. When special forces go on long term deployment they are humping a 40-60lb ruck in addition to there combat load out. They bring food, water, com gear and even then there is more than one and they distribute some of the gear between them. your load out looks like a two day combat patrol set up that my friends use over in that sand box. A set up like that has its place i just don't think it would be as handy as a good tent, food, water and "defensive" weapon.

On a side note, do you carry and spare parts for you M4 or hand gun? like a spare firing pin and or extractor with springs? weapons are great but there is still a mechanical device with lots of moving parts and well the more moving parts you have the more can break...

[kikoy]

i do understand what you are trying to say....but in the kit is a reflective sheet that i can use as tarp(compact and part of a kit) to make a small hooch...

Yup. They're great pieces of kit but designed to be used in conjunction with other gear. Spend a night in February under one--no warming fire and with the clothes you've got, thus far--and you'll understand.

i did, and i used the reflective shell, also it was in paktika province when we had to hunker down...

[kikoy]

OP i do have a question. If you are planing to use this kit to get to your fam. how far away are they? how long does it take driving under ideal conditions? now how long do you think its going to take under SHTF conditions on foot taking the back roads and off the beaten path as you say? the question to ask is, will your current setup sustain you for that long? if not you should reevaluate your set up. i understand being in the military you have a different point of view on things. i am not knocking that. but if you really are on your own there is no inside the wire safe zone to fall back to to get your rest and food. When special forces go on long term deployment they are humping a 40-60lb ruck in addition to there combat load out. They bring food, water, com gear and even then there is more than one and they distribute some of the gear between them. your load out looks like a two day combat patrol set up that my friends use over in that sand box. A set up like that has its place i just don't think it would be as handy as a good tent, food, water and "defensive" weapon.

On a side note, do you carry and spare parts for you M4 or hand gun? like a spare firing pin and or extractor with springs? weapons are great but there is still a mechanical device with lots of moving parts and well the more moving parts you have the more can break...

ideal travel to st louis is about 3-4 hrs from ft campbell, baout 6-7 hrs on side roads, and yes i do carry parts for my AR(stored in pistol grip/ extra firing pin retainer and extractor spring), on the hand gun its just barebones so its a last resort defensive tool...

[LASwampRat]

ideal travel to st louis is about 3-4 hrs from ft campbell, baout 6-7 hrs on side roads, and yes i do carry parts for my AR(stored in pistol grip/ extra firing pin retainer and extractor spring), on the hand gun its just barebones so its a last resort defensive tool...

well i applaud you on the parts, and hope you never find your self in the situation where you have to put your gear to the test.

[Blacksmith]

I have no problem with the OPs kit (although it is woefully short) I have seen others post very similar and not get beat down over it. I was kind of expecting people to make suggestions and instead of simply piling on for being overly combat focused.

I am completely baffled by the number of people who are scared and say they would or believe others would (illegally) shoot the OP out of hand for wearing kit. Must of been the movie shooting.

You have a lot of short falls however:


BOB is a generic ACU bookbag - I would wonder how rugged this is. You might consider something more solid.
with a hypothermia kit, - Nice idea and useful for bedding down but you really should add a goretex parka, some gloves and some thermal underwear
2 MRE's, - Not enough.
a SAM splint, - Curious what the point is here? If you break a bone you will have a heck of time splinting it by yourself.
a head lamp, - LED with red and IR covers hopefully
spare batt., - always useful
skull crusher for my NVG's, - ok... I guess
a pocket folder, - Good
a schemach( right spelling?), shemagh? This can be nice if you like wearing them
2 pairs of socks and a boxer, - A fresh change of socks and underwear always welcome
a neck gaiter, - Good, but I would add a watch cap
and my I love me book(impt documents). and - Excellent, many people skip this
my vest consists of, complete point blank OTV with plates, - Heavy; however considering the number of people in this thread alone who are planning on shooting you I would say needed.
ATS rack with IFAK, - If it is standard Army IFAK you may want to add some more useful items. The IFAK is for trauma and does not even have a band aid or anti-biotic ointment in it.
utility pouch and a bladder carrier(not shown), in the pouches are - You need more water or at least a way to purify water.
Complete IFAK inners, - As noted
monocular NVG(1st gen), - Don't know how heavy it is but it might be a space waster. Remember that GEN I mostly needs an illuminator and is short range.
tasco bino's, - Could be useful
full combat load of 5.56x45 M855's, and a - This is a lot of ammo. If you need that much you probably won't have the chance to use it all.
full combat load of 9x19 and - As above
a pack of Camel regulars and a lighter... - I'd ditch the smokes now. If you don't quit smoking then make sure they are in there you will need them. Maybe add a second lighter and some kind of fire starter.
SIG 516 fitted with Nikon M223 1-4x 32 mounted on Nikon M223 mount, K15 laserlyte, and Magpul furniture, - If you have a quick release mount you can ditch the binos
SIG P250 mounted on the full frame but i have the conversion kit for a subcompact, - Not sure what the point is. You are carrying a rifle and hundreds of rounds. If anything I would consider a small concealed weapon.
black hawk pistol magpouches and legrig along with a serpa holster in a QD mount(QD since i might opt to use my 1911 in .45ACP instead), a - Leg rigs suck IME, but whatever
Cold Steel machete - I would pass on this altogether.
linsetic compass and a mapping protractor(a map will come later). - Useful with a map

Other things to consider:
- Smart phone if you have one with solar recharger
- micro radio with headphones (news) MP3 player (entertainment)
- Eye protection
- Gloves
- Additional useful first aid items like foot powder
- A flashlight
- Some 550 cord

[Boondock]

the worst scenario, then thats where i start walking....

And that's what we train/prepare for, military or civilian. Some solid suggestions, Blacksmith. And no, I don't think the OP is going to get blown away on sight, at least not if he stumbles through my yard.

[Gramaton Cleric]

IMHO there must be a balance between defensive and offensive prepping and food and water, its definitely tough for me to choose whats really the most important piece of a difficult puzzle. Good suggestion though by all though I think.

[ninja-elbow]

If any walking is on the agenda in your plan than you might want to lighten it up some. You have plenty of options to accomodate this:
Less ammo (and plan to get in less fighting).
Less MRE and more dehydrated food.
...and much more...

You're obviously infantry. That's great. One thing I know about infantry is that you've got quite the infrastructure to back you up. If you are going UA in a disaster to go home (as I have never seen any doctrine showing a military enlisted person being released of duty for a disaster, general orders on up) I'd suggest getting out of a supported unit mind-set, lighten up, not look like you are in the military.

[Niblick]

I have no problem with your set up, and Blacksmith made some great suggestions. However, I would ditch the IBA as soon as I could no longer drive to my destination. If you're taking rifle fire all on your own, miles into the woods, I don't think it's going to help you much.

I prep for the roads being closed, with that in mind I would try to upgrade your bag to something you would feel comfortable humping for days through the wilderness.

I think the best prep you could make would be to get your family to your location. I obviously don't know your situation, but if you can't move them, maybe a compassionate reassignment or something.

Oh, and this makes me cry inside, please fix it

Infatry....Follow Me......

[Blacksmith]

as I have never seen any doctrine showing a military enlisted person being released of duty for a disaster, general orders on up

If you are in a disaster area (or an area that is highly likely to become one) military unit may be put on TDY orders to self evacuate and leave the area. If the area is under mandatory evacuation orders that is normally what happens. This is up to the commander. This happened to the military who were living in New Orleans before Katrina.

In 24 years this has only happened twice to me. Once was optional, once was not. When it was optional during Hurricane Rita I figured we were far enough inland that the storm would not have major effects so we stayed put.

Oh, and this makes me cry inside, please fix it

I figured it was like that on purpose....

[kikoy]

ok so i took in consideration what everyone said...ok so i ditched the IBA with rack but transfered some of it to my BOB...anyway here are the pics...thanks...sorry for the quality since am using my phone to take pics....



its a 5.11 rush 72 series bag(i use for random camping trips) along with a 5.11 BOB(i use it for a range bag but it fits my use and need)


used on the body are the Oakley flaks for use as an eyepo(ballistic) and my ADO glove, out side the bag is a strapped AR and on the belly strap is a blackhawk serpa with QD(1911 compact shown) on the right side and on the left is a blackhawk mag carrier(2x) also interchangable, on the D-ring is a 20oz drinking bottle( a 100oz bladder is also used but only the drinking tube is shown).


shown here detached(and could be dropped and carried if the need arises) is my range bag but also serves as a 3 mag carrier nad holds my tasco bino's, 1st gen NVG, a cleaning kit for both carbine and pistol, eyepro case with clear and smoke lenses, extra AA and 123 batteries(headlamp and laser batts.) a gerber pocket foldeing knife and the skull crusher(NVG mount/ does not crush your skull).


same pack but everything packed.


one of the main cargo areas of my BOB that houses my I love me book(documents, etc.), toothbrush and toothpaste, a gerber multitool, a water filtering straw along with water tablets, a 5' x 8' tarp(camping tarp), a magnesium firestarter, linsetic compass and protractor(map will come soon, i still need to print it), heavy duty shears.


on the bleey strap is a blackhawk serpa w/ QD system(1911 compact shown) and blackhawk mag carriers, a gerber strap cutter on the shoulder strap.


this is the contents of the IFAK, nasal pharengeal tube, medics tape, examiners glove, tourniquet, isareali bandage, combat gauze, band-aids, neosporin, and a 3'x 5' bandage.


this is the utility pouche's contents, a pelican case that holds cash, ID, cards, mostlikely a map(still need to printed), a ranger handbook, and a basic first aid book, and my headlamp that has red and white light in LED.


on the main compartment is a sleeping bag, hypothermia kit, 2 MRE's, baby wipes, yellow wather resistant bag that holds 2 boxers, 4 socks, a neck gaiter and a beanie.


here are both bags separated


here it is with me carrying it on the right side..


here it is on the left side with both bags and the carbine strapped..



i am always welcome to suggestions and also what i wear will be dictated on the current weather....and i would say total weight is somewhere around 40-50lbs....its ok am used to the weight....

[Blacksmith]

If you are going to open carry make sure you have a concealed carry permit. TN allows open carry but only with a permit. Only KY allows open carry without one.