1st Line Gear for Field Use
- By tire iron
- 12 November, 2014
- 2 Comments
1st Line Gear for Field Use
There is a phyilosophy regarding how one wears gear, and where one puts certain gear items.
It is called the ‘layered’ approach. There are THREE basic levels or lines. They are simply – 1st, 2nd and 3rd Line.
The objective of my posts will be to define what ‘layering’ or ‘leveling’ gear is, and why it is done.
This first thread will address ‘1st Line Gear’.
1st line gear for field use
is the stuff that you want with you no matter what. Lets say you were doing a river crossing, and you lost for footing. Guess what, you will ditch your ruck, your rifle and your LBE/LBV so you can swim to shore.
Or you are on the run, and have already ditched your ruck and since you are out of ammo you have ditched your rifle and LBE/LBV. You know, run away and live to fight another day. And this stuff DOES happen. So plan for the contigency.
SO….1st Line Gear for Field Use:
Compass (Silva Ranger Type or Lensatic)
Map of AO (factory folds, laminated, no additional marking – so if you lose it, it does not TOTALLY compromise the mission)
Small Red LED flashlight (the Micro lights work for this – this is to read the map with at night)
Riggers Belt
Watch (waterproof)
Swiss Army Knife/Multitool
BFK on Drop Sheath
Strong Side Drop Holster
Side Arm
1 Spare Mag for Side Arm
Water holder (small canteen – I use a collaspable ‘Platypus’ 1 liter container)
Remember to “dummy cord” as many of these items to you as it practicable.
Small First Aid Kit
- Band Aids
- Small Tube of Neosporin
- Couple Asprins/Motrin
- Compress
Small Survival Kit
- Fish Hooks
- Fishing line
- Sinkers
Fire starter (flint/steel/etc.) I HIGHLY recommend the Blast Match.
Packets of Top Ramen Mix WITHOUT NOODLES
Snare Making Material (64 gauge brass wire)”
Empty film canister full of dryer lint
Water Purification Tabs
550 cord on Boonie Hat (25′)
Flight Gloves
‘Do Rag’ (USGI Triangular OD Bandage worn ‘bandit style’ around neck)
Here are some pics of some 1st Line gear for Field Use:
BFK
Boonie Hat
Dummy cording compass and small red lense flashlight to cammi top
Dummy cording Swiss Army Knife and Blast Match to cammie pants
Flight Gloves and Triangle bandange
HSGI Holster
Silva Ranger and Small Red Lense Flashlight
Riggers Belt
ALL of this stuff is carried on YOU. In your pockets, on your belt, etc. NOT IN YOUR BVE/LBV or RUCK!!
Remember to ‘dummy cord’ everything to your body, so when you need it, it is still there (not 6 miles back for the enemy to find and use).
With these items you can literally survive to fight another day. Without them, your survival odds just turned against you.
Now my ‘list’ may vary somewhat from yours depending on AO’s and our different needs, but this list is a good guidline to start from.
Next up is 2nd Line Gear.
cheers
tire iron
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My first line Fire starter is a Bic in an Exotac carrier. But for Firestarters steer clear of the Blast Match.
Doan’s Magnesium bars/striker are vastly superior to the “Blast Match”. The reason, the latter breaks regularly.
The Doan’s is the issue Fire starter (do not make the mistake of using the Chinese version) in U.S. survival kits for good reason.
I’ve had two and only two Blast Match Fire starters break on me. I wouldn’t buy a third. The Doan’s consistently work better because they have fewer moving parts,(none) use Magnesium that burns at 5,000 degrees ignited by a simple spark. If you’re looking for just a good sparker than the broken Blast Match steel works best. But if you’re looking to start a fire in any weather condition use the Doan’s Magnesium to ignite your tinder.
I rarely disagree with opinions from experienced operators, but personal experience has taught me this option starting hundreds of campfires.
Thank you for posting this! I have ZERO issue if someone disagrees with me, especially if they have experience to back it up. One of the reasons I really like the Blast Match, even though it is more fragile, is that it can be used one handed – all other spark makers (including Doan’s) require 2 hands. But for 2 handed use I would agree the Doan’s is probably the way to go.