Posted: 9/7/2006 8:01:09 AM EDT
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Got any uparmored HUMMVs? How do they handle? Are they top heavy? What is your favorite truck? How hot is it inside a Bradley? Where does all the brass go? What are the best MREs? BDUs or ACUs? How far can you run in your Armor? Can you do hand to hand in it? Crashhawk or Huey? |
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I'm not guard, but I do feel I'm qualified to answer some of these:
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Good answers. Sometimes I think I'd like to see the M1114 re-engineered for the mission it has adapted. Beefier frame and suspension, engine upgrade, remote weapon. An APU for all the power requirements. Just start over with a clean sheet. It was meant to be a jeep replacement, not an armored truck. It needs to be an armored truck so they can mount weapons systems on it without sacrificing the armor protection. The stinger AA version comes to mind. I wouldn't mind seeing a Vulcan/Stinger on a Stryker, while I'm dreaming. |
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I know Im not in the Guard, but I can awnser a few of these anyway. Got any uparmored HUMMVs? How do they handle? Are they top heavy? The newer HUMMVs we got had awsome engines. They're either super/turbocharged. They handle just fine, the only real danger is slipping into a cannal. they take IEDs like a champ. They have to get right below you to score a kill. I heard Da Bunny saying that they need a new truck made for the job... Check out Force Protection's Cougar. Were seeing more and more of them in country. Mostly EOD, but hopefully everyone will have them soon. Takes IEDs like it aint no thing... What are the best MREs? Chicken Tetrazinni, or Chilli Mac are my favorites. You got to have good balance between good main meals and accessories. There is a barter system with much sophistication. Cheese spread, or dairy shakes get you a long way on a trade. If your a Boot, plan on eating lots of thai chicken and vegtable omelettes  How far can you run in your Armor? Can you do hand to hand in it? We ran balls out for about 3/4 of a mile in full battle-rattle. When youre running into a firefight, you dont feel the weight too much. As far as hand to hand, 90% of your vitals are protected, so all you have to do is tuck the chin and start fighting dirty. Im happy to say that every iraqi I had to take to the ground was compliant.  |
I wasn't aware there was a time that MREs did not have Tabasco in them. I joined in '96 and they had it... How long have you been in! |
Off and on Since 89, a Long time ago.............. I qualified with M16A1, M1911 and an M-3 before they were all phased out, plus have M151 on my 348. Vietnam vets should know whats going on there. |
Come visit and we'll take you out for a ride, and let you wear the new body armor and helmet. |
 Fucker!
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Got any uparmored HMMWVs? How do they handle? Are they top heavy? Got no HMMWVs. What is your favorite truck? M35A2 How hot is it inside a Bradley? Who's Bradley? Where does all the brass go? Huh? What are the best MREs? The cheese tortellini is pretty good. BDUs or ACUs? ACUs do not apply. Ask me in a few years about the new ABU. How far can you run in your Armor? Can you do hand to hand in it? Run? If you can't run faster than 2,300 fps, what's the point? Armor? What for? Crashhawk or Huey? I rode in a SH-60B Seahawk once while in Uncle Sam's Yacht Club. Otherwise, it's the KC-135R for us Air Guard guys. Maybe a C-130 or C-17 someday. |
So that's how it's going to be then? OK.  
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I hope you have plenty of fuel and ammo, we're going to Seattle! |
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Quoted: Got any uparmored HUMMVs? How do they handle? Are they top heavy? Don't have any in our brigade, but I did drive one for a while when we deployed. They are a lot heavier, and so don't accelerate or stop as quickly, and can't handle as steep as hills or side slope. The actual 1114's use the heavier duty suspension. They are a bit top heavy. And for something as heavy as they are, they handle suprisingly well. Not like a sport sedan, but better than many lifted trucks. What is your favorite truck? Any/none. I guess the HEMMT just because they look cool, and can carry a lot of weight. 10 tons. How hot is it inside a Bradley? Hot as hell, unless it's winter, then they are like a freaking icebox. Unless the heater is working then it's like an oven, it's all or nothing with those. What are the best MREs? I actually kind of like most of them. Or at least can tolerate them now. Tobasco helps, but there really should be some sort of spice pack in the case at least. BDUs or ACUs? I like the design (pockets, shorter top) of the ACU's. I'll reserve judgement on everything until I actually have worn a pair out. I wish that officers had to wear shiny pin on in garrison though. It would make identifying them (to salute them and avoid the ass chewing) easier. How far can you run in your Armor? Can you do hand to hand in it? Don't know the distance. Too lazy to find out. I've done about three miles in ust the IBA with plates for PT once, but that's been it for known distance. Crashhawk or Huey? Blackhawk. They've fixed the harware issues that were causing the crashes with the first models. Faster and a higher payload capacity than the Huey. |
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Quoted:What are the best MREs? Almost all the new MREs are good, but the cold weather MREs in the white package are the best. Really??? Never seen them! What is different? BDUs or ACUs? I like the ACUs but they are haveing some durability problems. Acually the Haji modified DCUs we had made in theater were better than both the ACU/BDU. I dont know about the army, but the Marine Corps has pretty much switched over to Nomex flight suits. Thank god too! Our Digi-mon cammies are pretty good, but nomex breathes so damn good, and was a big diference maker in the heat. How far can you run in your Armor? Can you do hand to hand in it? Ok, one time I did a 2 mile run with my kevlar and IBA, and wearing my PT uniform and running shoes. At the end my knees and feet hurt so bad I had to stop running for almost a week. As far as HTH, rifle combatives are fine, knife and the old school HTH are'nt too affected. You have to keep kicks low, as they should be, and there are'nt as many hand holds as with the old LBE/LBV to grab and stab and grab and punch/strike. IME grappling is about worthless in any full battle rattle, but yoiu can still do the old knock down and beat to death with your rifle or kevlear, or knock down and stab to death. Just nothing fancy. With all that shit on, you can fuck people up really good just head butting. As far as running, Nobody really talks about ESAPIs and side SAPIs. Big Big Big difference to an interceptor vest and two old school plates. But they work really damn good. I have personally seen them stop 7.62x54R A.P. rounds and still have about 3/8" left... Amazing! |
THe cold weather MREs come in a white package w/ black lettering like the tan ones. THey are all dehydrated main meals like mountain house and are dabomb. Beef/chicken teriyaki with rice is my fav, beef stroganov, spagetti are good too. |
Think you could score me a few? Or is that something you only find in country? I would have thought that the humanitarian daily ration meals would be better, but they SUCK! |
Wish I had an old Dehydrated Beef Patty to give you...
In 1991 I qualifed expert with a .45 that was 12 years older than me at North Star range, in UiJongBu, and 7 years later boloed repeatedly with an M9 made the same year PCR enlisted, at the same range... They wouldn't let me qualify on the M88 driver's M3, or our Ajashi guard's Winchester 12s, either... |
I have never seen the cold weather ones stateside, they might just for issue overseas ie Alaska, CENTCOM, Korea. |
Where in Uijongbu? I was at Camp Red Cloud and KC-39er |
I got mine when teaching Marine air SAR crews Winter Survival skills in Grass Valley Calif. ( Marines were from 29 stumps, and the training is done on Big Bear Mountian) So I know the jarheads have them stashed somewhere in the So Cal area, and LOTS OF THEM!... |
 This is an up-armored 7ton... thats about the most technical name I can give you. But they are an everyday sight for infantry Marines in Iraq. We all LOVE our 7tons! They are 6 wheel drive, ultra fast for their size, reliable, AND They are damn near IED proof, due to their high ground clearance, + double thick armor. Iraqis dont even try to mess with them. They also have stairs in the back so you can get on/off quick should it catch on fire, or you need to bug out. |
I wondered about the reliability. I think a few folks didn't like them at first. I think the height is why you get to call them 7 ton. They are actually 15 ton trucks, but looking at the latest specs on the Oshkosh Truck site they say 7 tons offroad and 15 on highway. Does the full independent suspension work as good as I think it might? When I rode around in one it was only at the factory on flat roads. We didn't get a chance to drive over to the proving grounds before I quit that job.  Does the Army have any of these yet? I know they were in negotiation a long time ago. I think this is actually the first vehicle that the Marines actually got to take delivery of before any other branch. PS - This discussion is somewhat on topic since the CTIS system may or may have some of its design borrowed from a Humvee. 
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+1 I like the South African "Buffalo" that we're starting to buy, the V shaped hull directs the blast out and away from the truck, But now the Hadjis' are using more platter and shaped charge stuff. Like every war, the enemy and us both adapt to the newest thing used by the other side. Even the Warlocks are getting defeated by ever sophisticated Firing devices. I was suposed to be going back in October, but now I'm not. It hurt when I was watching my old Company packing up the other day, but I'd really rather not make a third tour right now. |
Actually, the buffalo, and cougar are both american trucks! Check it out... Both Army and Marines have them, and the goal is to have the Cougar pahse out the Humvee soon.  The V shaped hull is super strong. Ive talked to guys who say they park em right on top of suspected IEDs so the rest of the patrol can drive right by www.forceprotection.net/about/vehicles.html As far as warlocks and IEDs go, the chameleon system is REALLY REALLY REALLY DAMN GOOD at stoping any Bay-station/cellphone type IED... It even screws up our comm. I know some stuff about em' but they constantly remind us that its still pretty top secret stuff, so I wont talk shop on that. As far as the pressure plate and EFP stuff goes, It takes a smart guy to actually build that stuff, so they are less common Plus it demands you actually DIG where the IED is gonna go off. Thats how we got the Majority of our kills 
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