FMSS gear requirements/preferences

[oldavt]

The FMSS schools at Camps Lejeune and Pendleton both have the same "Required Gear List" that FMSS students are supposed to provide themselves. So what kind of "red lens flashlight" or "camouflage face paint" did anybody find superior in operations? Were there obvious choices to avoid? Some of the "Tactical lights" are hugely expensive and use less than common / inexpensive batteries. What is purchased for FMSS will frequently travel with you to the field, so what gear will hold up in the sandbox?

[Da-Chief]

Not sure, But I'll be Crazycaujun will offer some advice..
thanks

HMC

[Poolzer]

I went to FMSS with a 6 dollar cheap mini mag with lens and cheap face paint and was fine.

I know on the wing and group side of green, headlamps work the best in the tactical situations of the desert. A red/blue combo is the most common, red for map reading and land nav, and blue for working on patients and in the helo. They fit under kevlar helmets or around the neck. REI was where I got mine 2 1/2 years ago and it still works. When I was in Iraq and Kuwait, the same brand was sold out there, so they're widely avail and cost around 40 bux.

[Da-Chief]

Thanks Poolz...

BTW, I just setup orders for a girl who will be leaving here for the November class..

Any gouge I can give her?? Seriously?? Did you burn a CD with the current info?
Let me know..
Thanks

HMC

[crazycajun]

oldavt,

I concur with Poolzer on the flashlight. I bought an LED Flashlight from Walmart the last time I went to Iraq which worked pretty good for under 15.00. It to came with multiple lenses to include red and blue.Yes, the expensive ones are out there like the small "Surefire", they work great and some even attach to the M-4.

Cammo face paint. I'd go with the ones in the tubes v/s the one in the compact. The paint in the tubes seem to last longer after applying it to your face.

Semper Fi, crazycajun

[randver]

i would go with the cheap camepant. the tube does work better but is harder to find harder to but on and take off. and while i was in iraq i dont remimber seeing anyone use camepant. as far as flashlights a good head light is great to have along with a second light when you just need it for fast things or dont want to wear the light. if you go with the surefire. dont worry about trying to get batterys they sell plunty of them over there since there great to have on your m-4 and you never know when you really need to see or blind someone. what ever you go with make sure you have a blue light since you can not see blood at night with a red lens. i went with the head lamp and tapped a belt clip on to a AA maglight so i could clip it on my gear. and which ever you get in iraq small and/or liteis usually better. the old school moonbeam is ok for in your huch or going to the bathroom but will get in the way when carred on your gear. if you tape a belt clip ( like the ones that hold on your canteens case) to a small flash light is a great way to clip it to your gear so you can get to it in a hurry without haveing to worry about it falling off and getting lost.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

wrote: FMSS students are supposed to provide themselves...."red lens flashlight" (and) "camouflage face paint"
For FMSS, keep it simple! You canupgrade gear when you get to your duty station.

A basic Mini-MagLite flashlight (http://www.maglite.com/productline.asp)with the red lens adaptor is fine. Of course, no flashy colors to upset the instructors. Stick with cammo, black, or some other earthy non-reflective flashlight color. The instructor may also allow thegreen NVG lens (http://www.maglite.com/publicsafety_tactical.asp)too.

IMHO, you always want at least two illumination devices because one is always going to be unusable (lend, lost, broken). An extra set of batteries and a spare bulb are pretty essential too.

One light needs to be on you and one light can be kept in your med bag or ILBE pack (ALICE, MOLLE, whatever). I know some like to wear a key chain LED [/url](red, blue or greenbulb) with their dog tags, but your FMSS instructor may not allow that.

After you get to your FMF duty station you can see what the SOP and culture allows and get some advice from the more experienced operators. You can also check out some flashlight reviews (http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_by_mfgrs.htm): http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews_index/reviews_by_mfgrs.htm

But again, for FMSS - keep it simple. Unless the world has changed, you won't need a TacLight at FMSS. If you decide to upgrade after FMSS, you can toss the Mini-MagLite in your glove-box, tool-box, tackle-box, junk drawer, whatever --- it won't go to waste....

The mil issue cammie sticks work fine (unless cold). The shopette near FMSS, uniform shop, and most surplus stores carry the stuff real cheap. If you want to buy a commercial product, Hunter's Specialties (H.S.) offers some good options and is available at most sporting goods stores. (And other brands (http://www.camofacepaint.com/)are out there too...)

http://www.hunterspec.com/updateable/update_display.cfm?pageid=7
Hunter's Specialties Camo Creme (http://www.hunterspec.com/Updateable/update_display.cfm?pageID=758&categoryID=29)3 Tube Kit
Hunter's Specialties Camo-Compac (http://www.hunterspec.com/Updateable/update_display.cfm?pageID=758&categoryID=29)5 Color Kit
Hunter's Specialties Camo Net Head Net (http://www.hunterspec.com/Updateable/update_display.cfm?pageID=762&categoryID=29)(not only helps camouflage your head and break-up the pattern, but it is great at keeping the bugs off.)

Baby wipes are a big plus for basic hygiene & taking off cammie paint.

[DocHayes]

I graduated from FMSS Eastin May... Everything that you don't already bring with you, you should be able to purchase after you're there. The exchange on base (especially Camp Johnson) will have everything you need. The downside is that when its time to have the equipment, everyone will swamp the MCX. So you may have to make Walmart runs.

I had the cheap GI Issue looking flashlight, that cost about $9.00 with the lenses.

Also keep in mind that some of those items can be spread around your squad/fire teams, etc (map pens, ziplock bags, camo face paint)

Other items are just needed for pack inspections when you finish your humps.

I'll also recommending buying your own canteens. They're really cheap at the exchange or local surplus stores. I think everyone here has gotten sick from the used canteens we had in boot camp. I even think Camelback and similiar hydration devices are permitted (at least at FMSS east).

Anything that you may want/need for personal comfortis permitted. I remember some folks buying helmet liners for their kevlars.I bought an 8-pointshaper, to keep in my cover, to make it look super-moto.

Its hard to remember what people bought, but at the school goes on you'll figure out what you'll want to get.

I don't know how things are in Pendleton, but at Johnson (Lejeune), things were laid back to a degree. You weren't going to need anything until you were told you had to have it. Even at that, you were given several days warning.

I suggest not investing too much money, unless you're going with the FMF, you'll never use it again... I sure haven't.