Getting Deployed and need to gear up!

[Eagle9914]

I got the worst case scenario in terms of deployment and was told yesterday and I'm leaving next Thursday (June 7). I am a replacement for someone who was unable to go. I want to admit now that I am not going to the sandbox, we are going to Kosovo of all places. Now I know that is no war zone but I would still like to be prepared for anything. I am an Eagle Scout like just about everyone else on the forum so that whole Be Prepared thing is how I live my life. I have a bit of a savings and this was such a surprise that I want to use a bit of this savings to go and purchase a few of the necessities. I was looking for a new multitool (I was thinking Leatherman MUT) and a new LED light, I was wanting a Surefire. I'm going to be there a year helping train the Kosovo army in conjunction with the French army. I am a medic and pretty much want to take the batman belt approach to everyday life over there. I know it's gonna be a lot of boring garrison life but I'm still going to be half way across the world from home so I want to be as prepared as possible. So any suggestions for necessary gear would be nice. Specifically light and "tacticool" multitool. Suggestions for any other gear that would be good to have would be a great help. Thanks Zombie Squad and I'll see ya in Eastern Europe.

ETA: The multitool I have a budget of around $120-ish, the light I want a Surefire for the same price range. I want both to be rugged and very dependable. I like biggest bang for my buck sorta deals. If suggesting to purchase something online it must have reputable and quick shipping because I only have till next Thursday. Any other gear suggestions can be anything you guys think I need. I would tell you more about my job if I knew but I don't even know much myself. Something something something medic? That's all I'm going off of.

If this would fit better somewhere else mods please move it.

[jehicks87]

I got the worst case scenario in terms of deployment and was told yesterday and I'm leaving next Thursday (June 7). I am a replacement for someone who was unable to go. I want to admit now that I am not going to the sandbox, we are going to Kosovo of all places. [...] I was looking for a new multitool (I was thinking Leatherman MUT) and a new LED light, I was wanting a Surefire [...] any suggestions for necessary gear would be nice. Specifically light and "tacticool" multitool. Suggestions for any other gear that would be good to have would be a great help. Thanks Zombie Squad and I'll see ya in Eastern Europe.

ETA: The multitool I have a budget of around $120-ish, the light I want a Surefire for the same price range. I want both to be rugged and very dependable. I like biggest bang for my buck sorta deals. If suggesting to purchase something online it must have reputable and quick shipping because I only have till next Thursday.

Ok, first off: A deployment still sucks. So, kudos to you for going. A lot of people dodge out... you won't be worrying about the same kinds of things we had to worry about in Afghanistan, but you'll still be away from home for a while. It's tough.

Don't get a MUT. They're not that practical for anything other than cleaning a weapon... and you'll already have plenty of cleaning kits available downrange. I prefer the Leatherman Blast. It's comfy, sturdy, and has everything you're going to need in it. Plus, it comes in WELL below the $120 mark, especially if you buy it at the PX. For an LED light, the Sidewinder is a good one, but I broke two. I'm the only one I've known to break them, so take that for what it's worth. Other than that any LED flashlight is going to be good enough. Your unit should issue you one, anyway, so I'd focus on a head-lamp. Princeton makes good ones, and the cheapo Energizer LED Headlamps ($15 at wally-world) are great, as well. Much brighter than the princetons, but they're also a good deal heavier.

Everyone likes the biggest bang for the buck, and normally you're not going to have to spend all that much money to get a great price-quality ratio. Amazon is a very good place to order from, and they ship fast, even to APO's. I would normally get my Amazon shipment a full 2-3 weeks faster than normal mail... if the normal mail ever got there to begin with.

As far as whatever other gear you're going to need, you're a medic, so the biggest suggestion I would have had is already covered... a good first aid kit. Firestarters are good to have to, as are signaling devices. Unless you're deemed "Highly Likely to Become Isolated" those things most likely won't be issued to you, so you can pick them up on your own if you wish. A good ferro rod and signaling mirror would cover those bases just fine.

Otherwise, you'll pretty much want to get as much information as you can, even if it's not until you're there and getting into the swing of things, before you can decide what will be of benefit without wasting money. Resist the temptation to become a total gear-do, you won't win much respect from your fellow soldiers if you're all mall-ninja'd out. Of course, you could always get some tacticool stuff and give them away as gifts to newfound friends in the other nation's services... in my experience the Eastern European (and Afghani) soldiers LOVE American Tacticool stuff even more than the S-1 clerks.

Either way, be safe and come back home without any extra holes!

[TacAir]

Ping user Blackdog - as Kosovo is his current A/O.

While Kosovo may no longer be listed as an active combat zone, nobody told the land mines.
It sure isn't the same as a vacation in the Poconos either.

My only suggestion set is that you ensure all notification paperwork is squared away and correct. Consider a small E&E kit to carry with your medical bag.

Enjoy the crappy weather, the cold, the good food (if you are to be billeted with the French) and so on.
You will likely have access to satcom TV, but one last suggestion is a small shortwave set with earbuds. Sangean makes several models with a good price point.

Again, if you can ping Blackdog, he would have current and likely very good suggestions.

[Shaper]

headlamp
packlights
lots of the best socks money can buy
lots of the best underwear money can buy
Monkeybutt powder
full sheets of moleskin for personal use
personal medical tape
personal 100mph tape
Solar and/or handcrank USB charger
Rechargable battery bank (USB compatable) and all necessary batteries
microfiber towel(s)
Ziplock Bags
Starbucks VIA (my personal vice)
water purification system (tabs, filter, etc)
BOAT (search: Bug Out Altoids Tin)
Soild Fixed Blade Knife
compact binos (or if you want to be REALLY high speed, a compact rangefinder)
Brunton pin-on ball compass (for general orientation at all times)

I also keep the small OTIS cleaning kit handy because half of the MF cleaning kits in our unit are always missing shit and I get annoyed easily like that.

Have family or significant other send care packages with: Cushy TP, baby wipes, pogy bait, and any other luxury bullshit you can't find at the exchange, or run out of, before they restock or sell out of on the regular.

There is probably other shit I am forgetting right now, but you get the idea.

[CipherNameRaVeN]

Agreed, Blackdog will give you all necessary info on gear for Cosovo.
I love Surefire. However, the batteries it uses maybe hard to come by in Kosovo. Unless, there are models that work on AA batteries.
Look into Streamlight in that case. Not as durable, but very effective!

I prefer Wave for a multi-tool. It is just a good overall toolset.
I would still bring a good folder with you. Spyderco Tenacious is a nice sturdy folder. I just don't think fixed blade may be a good fit in your situation.

I love my fire starters, but I would still buy several BICs and throw them everywhere in your gear.

[Dawgboy]

I would say ditch the Surefire and spend your money on a good headlamp with a low setting(Petzl Tikka is my current favorite), and a 4sevens LED light.

Also, lots of condoms...

Also a bag full of these could be real handy, I leave them clipped everywhere I need light regularly.
http://countycomm.com/soled.html

[Eagle9914]

Other than that any LED flashlight is going to be good enough. Your unit should issue you one, anyway, so I'd focus on a head-lamp. Princeton makes good ones, and the cheapo Energizer LED Headlamps ($15 at wally-world) are great, as well. Much brighter than the princetons, but they're also a good deal heavier.

Ironically that's what they issued me. My unit is a huge fan of medical readiness so all the medics got a cool little box full of new high speed stuff in it including a Petzel Tikka 4 (I think) with a green filter instead of red (makes blood easier to see) so I am in no need of a headlamp but a small light to carry if I don't have my headlamp or when a headlamp can't be used. I wanted Surefire because that's almost all I have ever heard from this site as far as lights. I was planning that if I got a Surefire I would stock enough batteries to last a while and if needed have some shipped to me. It's a year long deployment so I'm trying to get stuff that lasts a while. My aid bag was already full stocked, thankfully with the whole two week notice, so good there. From what I have been told I will be working with the French. From the best I can figure out (but as y'all in the army know your job is what you do when you ACTUALLY get there and start doing it) is me and other members of the US and French armies are supposed to help "supervise" the Kosovo medics/military. What that means I have no idea. As for the multitool, any votes for SOG? I know Leatherman and Gerber and have owned both but always been curious about a SOG.

[omega_man]

good socks are worth the money. If you can get away with using civvy baselayers like smartwool or patagonia, do it. Same for a sleeping bag, if you are going to be sleeping in the field often invest in snugpak.

If you are around the Clemson area, PM me.

[crypto]

Pinging B3 to the thread, she did a Kosovo tour too.

[CipherNameRaVeN]

I had SOG. It is not too bad. It'll do the job, but I consider it substandard to Leatherman and Gerber.

If you like Surefire, go with Surefire 6P or G2. Stock up on batteries.
I have both 6P and G2. I prefer G2 myself.
Due to the fact that Surefire is found on a lot of ARs, I would assume PX would carry these batteries as well.
Still, look into Streamlight. Cheaper and output is just as good in most cases.

[omega_man]

I second the G2 if you want a Surefire. It's all you will need, in addition to the headlamp which is all you will probably use, for military applications.

SOGs are good, but what I like about Leathermans are that they actually use real knife steel on the knife part of their multi-tools (154cm and 440c are options I believe).

[Ghost_Jaws]

Also, lots of condoms...

This really if you're a single guy and into that sort of thing, other than that a credit card (or visa/mastercard debit card) would be good so you can get some cash when you need it.

Really that area is probably going to be a lot more civilized than you're expecting. I deployed to Bosnia twice and when I got through my first tour I said "thank you may I have another?" I haven't been to that part of the world since 2004 but you'll probably find it to be more like a trip to Germany or Korea than a trip to Iraq/Afghanistan.

Take good socks, underwear, and a multi-tool. If you're in uniform then everything else will be gravy. If you're in civilian clothes it'll be cheaper to just buy them off the economy there instead of spending money here. You can pack all the extra stuff but really I found the Balkans to be quite a pleasant place to go, and needed to hit the ATM more often than I ever used a knife.

[Boondock]

I'd consider bringing extra insignias, patches, etc., even if it's not from your unit, spare TA-50, too.

Last time I encountered the French military, they were open to bartering--I scored a beret with a commando instructor crest.

And some of their gear is pretty cool. I've found GIs of any nation tend to like trading stuff, and it's a good way to make friends.

[jehicks87]

As for the multitool, any votes for SOG? I know Leatherman and Gerber and have owned both but always been curious about a SOG.

I had a Sog. Not worth the money. Yes, the compound-leverage-thing is nice, but it makes it more cumbersome to open up the pliers really wide, plus the stamped metal handles aren't the most comfortable if and when you actually need to clamp down on something worthy of using the compound-gearage on. The coolest feature was the socket-driver, but it was (in all honesty) just a Novelty add-on. I don't view the Sog as a "serious" instrument.

[joekaveh]

headlamp
packlights
lots of the best socks money can buy
lots of the best underwear money can buy
Monkeybutt powder
full sheets of moleskin for personal use
personal medical tape
personal 100mph tape
Solar and/or handcrank USB charger
Rechargable battery bank (USB compatable) and all necessary batteries
microfiber towel(s)
Ziplock Bags
Starbucks VIA (my personal vice)
water purification system (tabs, filter, etc)
BOAT (search: Bug Out Altoids Tin)
Soild Fixed Blade Knife
compact binos (or if you want to be REALLY high speed, a compact rangefinder)
Brunton pin-on ball compass (for general orientation at all times)

I also keep the small OTIS cleaning kit handy because half of the MF cleaning kits in our unit are always missing shit and I get annoyed easily like that.

Have family or significant other send care packages with: Cushy TP, baby wipes, pogy bait, and any other luxury bullshit you can't find at the exchange, or run out of, before they restock or sell out of on the regular.

There is probably other shit I am forgetting right now, but you get the idea.

Seriously agree with this guy ^

[B3]

I did a 6 month tour over there way back in 2001-2002. It's pretty built-up (at least where I was) so pretty much anything you need or want can be purchased from whatever AAFES store they have nearby. I would suggest getting a pair of Yak-Trax or something like that to put on your boots while walking in snowy/icy terrain. Maybe a power adapter/converter because all the electric there runs on 220, but you might be able to "fall in" on one of those from a unit that's getting ready to re-deploy back to CONUS. Definitely get some good socks if you can get away with it. The rest of the suggestions seem to be pretty spot-on.
Like I said, I went 10+ years ago, so things may have changed for better or worse. Good luck--thanks for serving.

[Blackdog]

NATO slot??

Anyway, this is not Afghanistan, trust me. Except for a few areas just about everybody will really like you. The US PX has headlamps and MTs, etc, etc, etc, the NATO PXs have stuff too. The only thing that you may feel the need to get is good socks. Just my opion but all the socks in all the PXs are crap (except for the X socks (in my opinion) rock in the summer time but are at least a couple of $$$$$).

Pretty sure that Uncle Sugar will outfit you with enough warm and snuggys. It does snow, rain and get just a wee bit cold so you may or may not want to invest in gloves. Depending on where you wander,, you just might see some mud . Hot weather boots will be good to go until winter and then, well non-hot weather boots, again they should be issue (are they not??).

Really, I can't think of a thing that is life and death critical that you will not be issued. Pretty sure that most if not all of the camps have some form of internet.

Just my opion but if you can get a little bit of a grasp of the political, ethnic. and the what have you situation it would be a good thing as it sounds as if you will be hanging with the KSF.

Mines..... Some but not really widespread.

As was said, Amazon has some magical ability to get stuff to a APO fast.

Other than the general suck of a Military deployment it shouldn't be too bad.

[B3]

I wish we had gotten more of a crash course on the language there and the cultural differences of the ethnic groups. If you've got time, finding out some info on all that and practicing some of the common words & phrases would be helpful. Most people who live there speak pretty good english and there's usually an interpreter with any sort of military outfit, but a little extra knowledge might be useful.

[Blackdog]

I did a 6 month tour over there way back in 2001-2002. It's pretty built-up (at least where I was) so pretty much anything you need or want can be purchased from whatever AAFES store they have nearby. I would suggest getting a pair of Yak-Trax or something like that to put on your boots while walking in snowy/icy terrain. Maybe a power adapter/converter because all the electric there runs on 220, but you might be able to "fall in" on one of those from a unit that's getting ready to re-deploy back to CONUS. Definitely get some good socks if you can get away with it. The rest of the suggestions seem to be pretty spot-on.
Like I said, I went 10+ years ago, so things may have changed for better or worse. Good luck--thanks for serving.

Yeah, I use the snot out of my MicroSpikes here during the winter.

[Blackdog]

I wrote:

"Except for a few areas just about everybody will really like you."


Those few areas as of today:::

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/01/us-kosovo-serbs-idUSBRE8500EK20120601

[Rebel Pariah]

SOGs are good, but what I like about Leathermans are that they actually use real knife steel on the knife part of their multi-tools (154cm and 440c are options I believe).

I had\have a sog EOD powerlock, love the damn thing... even faster to deploy one handed than a Gerber, the powerlock allows you the really put out some solid pressure with the pliers, this is a good and bad thing... I was attempting to cut a "dinky" pistol slide lock off a glock my buddy forgot the key for.... obviously not proper use for "wire cutters" I made a solid bite into them and started cranking on them because in the previous year and a half the thing had been a tank.... so I squeezed with all my might.... this is where the powerlock is bad... that turned it into 2x my full grip strength plus a little shoulder pressure... wound up snapping a jaw clean off... Not kidding when I say you can apply pressure,

I don't fault the tool one bit for breaking when under hundreds of pounds of force trying to cut through hardened steel

I don't know if the blade is actual knife steel... but it was one of the better multitool blades I've ever used, better than my wave without question, much beefier...


a suggestion for a night little light since you said you have a headlight covered would be a streamlight stylus pro, runs on AAA so common battery, not the brightest led light out there, but sufficent and super small and portable so you will probably never be without it

[Eagle9914]

Bad news guys, I was was unable to go on the mission. People waasay higher than me (at the state level) decided that it would be better to send a guy from another battalion instead of preparing and sending me. I'm pretty bummed about it myself but I'll get another chance some day. Thanks for the suggestions anyway.

[omega_man]

That sucks. If you had know sooner you coulda joined us for the MBO

[Eagle9914]

Another update, seems there was confusion and a mix up and I am in fact going. I start Monday but don't leave the state till July. I head to Indiana then Germany then head in country. Thanks again for all you suggestions.