So, you want to do an embed. You have an outlet, are immunized, and have a passport. You are getting ready to deal with the paperwork. Now, you face a small bit of Catch-22. To fill out the paperwork, you will need armor -- and really all the gear. But, you might not want to spend the money on the gear until you have the embed confirmed. After all, the application might be denied. It does happen. Bite the bullet and get the gear. You can always use it for camping, emergency preparedness, and other things. Well, most of it. There are a number of lists floating around of what you need on an embed. There was one in particular sent to me before my first embed that I found particularly helpful, and my gear today still uses that as a foundation. DoD or whatever coalition you apply to may (or may not) have a list as well. Here's some of what I recommend. First, start with the armor. One of the first things you will be asked is if you have armor. You need to be able to honestly say yes. On my first embed, a very kind person bought me my armor, as in the vest and helmet. Armor is that, and a bit more. That first armor worked, and I am now and always will be grateful for it. That said, there have been improvements to armor systems, and you want to take advantage of them. Also, there were some lessons learned on my part, that I will share. What I call the vest is more than a vest. It is a vest, neck, groin, and more. You want to get the best you can, and you also want it to have a grab strap/drag strap, molle, and be as close to what the military has as possible. The grab strap helps with carrying, and makes it easy to drag you at need. Not having it is a pain, as otherwise you are trying to grab 50 lbs of bulk and move it with one hand; or, someone is trying to get you out of harm's way and can't get a good grip. Both suck. Molle/web/attachment points allow you to carry things at need, from first aid gear to camera gear. It also makes it easy to attach other things at need, such as IR chemlights or things that ID you as friendly/not-the-enemy. Not having that ability also sucks. And can make life (too) exciting. The best is not always the most expensive, and you can find deals, make deals, etc. Take your time, research sources, and get some expert advice. I've been lucky and have had those with experience not only advise me on types of systems, but on tricks that can help take weight off shoulders and otherwise make moving around in full gear and load not quite as sucky as it might be. Keep in mind that the system is just that, a system. The carrier/vest/whatever you call it will start out pretty much the same, being filled with aramid fibers that will stop some projectiles. Where the real protection comes is with the plates. Get the best you can as light as you can. Get the front and back plates, and do get the side plates too. You can always remove some or all at need; but, it is impossible to add them at need if you don't have them. You also need a helmet as part of your armor system. There are options out there, and I am just going to tell you one thing -- don't go old. Yes, the newer helmets cost more, but they offer better protection on several levels. One important one is in terms of the pad/suspension system inside. There is a whole post I could do on TBI, impact frequencies, and such, but the short version is that the newer interior systems much better than the old strap system on several levels. Been there, done that, upgraded the interior as a result. Third part of the system is eye pro, or eye protection. You need it, and not just to look cool in the photos. You want and need the fragment and blast protection, and you also need it for wind, dust, dirt, and more. My recommendation is to get eye pro where you can change out the lenses, not just for lighting conditions, but because in some regions the sand/dust/etc. will take its toll, sometimes very rapidly. Spare lenses are good. If, like me, you need glasses, you need prescription inserts to go with them. Not all take them, so factor that into your shopping. Yes, you may wear contacts here, but in the past DoD has said no, hell no, and otherwise discouraged them in the AOR. You may find dust and sand limit the time you wear contacts, or even prevent you from wearing in some cases. Whatever you decide to do, have glasses, have prescription inserts, and have options. One option is to get good fragment goggles that will fit over your glasses at need. Now, the next thing can be stand-alone or considered part of your armor. I treat it as part of the armor/protective gear that comes first. That thing is flame resistant clothing. Can't speak to now, but in the past the Marines really wanted you in a nomex flight suit to fly Marine Air. They could be right insistent about it. So, you may want to consider it. For me, I went a different route. I have nomex flight gloves, a nomex balaclava, flame resistant shirt, and flame resistant pants. I don't go flame resistant underwear (haven't needed it since the last Blackfive staff meeting), but if there is a real fire risk (flight, for example) I do go cotton on the underwear just to be safe. This meets all the requirements and can be worn for general use at need. Keep in mind that all clothing needs...
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/8my1l9Q5fPw/prepping-for-an-embed-gear.html
Posted
Nov 07 2012, 01:09 AM
by
BLACKFIVE