Posted: 12/3/2007 6:57:35 PM EDT
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So as I am always one that likes to PLAN WAY ahead of things, in prep for my deployment next year (if congress funds the military that is) Looking at the RFI issue pack, assault pack and FLC what are you folks that have used this gears opinion. Not sure if my command will allow me to use personal gear as it relates to vests and such but just looking at the pouches on some of these they look pretty cheesy. So what's your opinion on the FLC? Can it be made to work, I though of just attaching the pouches directly to the OTV/IBA but others have said when your in your FOB it is easier to be able to take the FLC off and not carry around everything but maybe a few items in your pocket. Opinions needed.... Thanks |
I have a buckle fastener threaded on my iba because of that. The weight of the shit on the vest caused it to fly open when I was fucking around with at "detainee" during a training deal. Now that they made me a saw gunner its even worse. The ammo cans make it sag. I would get a chest rig, but I have never liked how they have felt on me. They just make me start to ache faster. We only have a few guys use them. The mounted guys have their side plates and shit on them, so they can move around and get in and out of the hatches. Only a few dismounts have rigs. Most people have the shit right on the vest around here. Saw one of those new IBAs out at NTC. Looked pretty high speed. Didn't get to inspect it real close. Was on some guy from brigade or higher. Seemed like it might have done away with the sag problem. |
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The RFI 3-day pack sucketh mightily. The outer pockets are flat, instead of bellowed, so that the only thing you can put in them is paper items. I hated mine so much I went a bought a Camelbak Motherlode before we headed to Iraq. The Camelbak is an awesome pack, and will carry more shit and do it more efficiently than the RFI thingie. It WAS expensive, but I still use it every day, so I am definitely getting my money's worth out of it. The rest of the new RFI stuff looks pretty nice, and you're getting a much more comprehensive issue of gear than was previously handed out. |
Thanks I have heard as much about the Assault pack, I have a Camlebak BFM in ACU that I can use as well as my TT Alice Pack in ACU. My questions now are coming down to the Issue LBV and those items. Some of the guys in my unit that were already over have told me some good pointers. Witha LBV (either RFI (SDS) or other brands even with a MAV or Chest rig my concern is having to many straps hanging all over the place after I wear my camelbak (thermobak) There does nto seem to be a integrated vest/chest rig with built in hydration pouch that fits "all" my wants  This is in consideration of wearing over the IBA/OTV as many have told me putting a few pouches on the IBA/OTV is cool but eventually they pull the cover away... |
Camelbak has their new Delta-5 assault vest, which has plenty of MOLLE webbing and an integral hydration bladder. It comes in FG only, not ACU, but it looks like a nice vest for $105.00. You can also tuck the straps of your Thermobak into the carrier itself, and then use mini-'biners to hang it off your vest(Worked for me). I liked that set-up because I only had to pick up three things during an alert; IBA, Weapon, Kevlar, instead of IBA, FLC(buckles, zippers, straps, etc.) Weapon and Kevlar. Sometimes you don't have time to fiddle fuck around with a bunch of extra shit, you know? I've been wearing all my ammo and utiliy pouches on my IBA for two and a half years now, and I haven't noticed any significant wear on the vest from having the pouches hanging off it. My mileage may have varied, of course, but I think you could get away without the FLC. It all depends on what your mission requirements are. |
Well it appears we will be mounted and a few of the guys in my company that have been over already have stated that when you are mounted there is not a big concern for carrying tons of water on your back as your main water source is in the vehicle. See my concern was finding a chest rig/Vest that would work with a hydration pack and still be modular enough to take on and off when needed. I had a TT 2 piece & a 1 Piece MAV I loved it but with the MAV and then the additional straps fro a Camelbak I just had to many "loose ends" and I have yet to find a trully modular way of attaching a camlebak to a TT MAV. So I just picked of a TT TAC Vest That I can throw my pouches on and arrange and use brimlocks to put my thermoback on it if I need to and also use the thermo back with the straps if I need to (That is my idea of modularity) |
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The FLC is especially good if you're mounted or mech since you can take it off but still keep your IBA/SAPI and still be able to move around inside a vehicle. The best part about RFI for me, in no particular order: -Boots -Gloves -The 3 day assault pack, even though it has limitations as expressed above -Lots of extra mag pouches -ACH instead of the PASGT Other than the FLC, pouches, gloves, and ACH I couldnt really envision myself needing any of the other shit and stuffed it away. By the way, almost none of the RFI stuff they issue you is taken back when you PCS.  Free gear! 
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The FLC is especially good if you're mounted or mech since you can take it off but still keep your IBA/SAPI and still be able to move around inside a vehicle. The best part about RFI for me, in no particular order: -Boots -Gloves -The 3 day assault pack, even though it has limitations as expressed above -Lots of extra mag pouches -ACH instead of the PASGT Other than the FLC, pouches, gloves, and ACH I couldnt really envision myself needing any of the other shit and stuffed it away. By the way, almost none of the RFI stuff they issue you is taken back when you PCS. Free gear!
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The FLC is especially good if you're mounted or mech since you can take it off but still keep your IBA/SAPI and still be able to move around inside a vehicle. The best part about RFI for me, in no particular order: -Boots -Gloves -The 3 day assault pack, even though it has limitations as expressed above -Lots of extra mag pouches -ACH instead of the PASGT Other than the FLC, pouches, gloves, and ACH I couldnt really envision myself needing any of the other shit and stuffed it away. By the way, almost none of the RFI stuff they issue you is taken back when you PCS. Free gear!
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