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[MedicmanV2]

Hi everyone, I want to do a USMC 0311 Rifleman loadout from around 07ish or so, and I want to know if this kit list sounds good to you guys:

MARPAT MCCUUs
Belleville 550s
IBA/OTV (CB)
FLC (CB)
PASGT Helmet w/ MARPAT cover, NVG mount, and cat eyes band.
Nomex Flight Gloves (OD)
ESS Profile NVG goggles

M16A4 w/ ACOG or M4 RIS w/ ACOG

Also, a few other questions... where do I get the OTV/IBA? They have an SDS one on entrygear but it doesn't include the collar attachment, which is a must, because I hate it when the utility uniform collar sticks out, just looks unprofessional. Also, which NVG mount for the helmet? Preferably one that's not too expensive, as it is just for looks after all, and serves no real function in airsoft. Thanks guys.

[Guam_Marine]

Just get one on entry tactical. Then get the collar at eBay or airsoft unlimited. Much cheaper than anywhere else.

[Nixons Back]

NVG's do serve a function at larger OPs. But for daily games, they are not really needed.
This mount should work, and for 20 bucks, the pricing isn't too bad.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_152&products_id=30552
Here is the G&G one for 30.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_152&products_id=28828

[MedicmanV2]

NVG's do serve a function at larger OPs. But for daily games, they are not really needed.
This mount should work, and for 20 bucks, the pricing isn't too bad.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_152&products_id=30552
Here is the G&G one for 30.
http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_152&products_id=28828

Yeah, sorry. I know they serve a purpose in airsoft, what I meant to say is they don't really serve a purpose for me particularly because I rarely play at large night OPs. Thanks for the links by the way, those look good and are affordable. Do you think everything on my kit list looks good and accurate for a Marine impression of that time? Just checking, thanks.

[MedicmanV2]

Just get one on entry tactical. Then get the collar at eBay or airsoft unlimited. Much cheaper than anywhere else.

I can't find a place to buy the collar anywhere, I checked on eBay, couldn't find any OTV collars in Coyote Brown. If you can find any I'd be grateful. Thanks.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

You will live if you have a woodland throat guard attached to your coyote OTV. I've seen pictures of real Marines doing it. Maybe not as late as '07, but it wasn't uncommon before. Will those airsoft NVG mounts actually accept real NODs, or are they just props?

[MedicmanV2]

You will live if you have a woodland throat guard attached to your coyote OTV. I've seen pictures of real Marines doing it. Maybe not as late as '07, but it wasn't uncommon before. Will those airsoft NVG mounts actually accept real NODs, or are they just props?

I'm very, very particular over little things like that .

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Not to poke fun, but unless you have a Gunny or First Sergeant hovering over you, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I know what you mean though, if you can afford to do it right yourself, then do it.

BTW, this is what you're looking for. Not a bad price for a complete REAL system, though I'm really wary of its origin, since I'm not sure soft armor ever gets to see DRMO stamps. Alternately try looking your item up as "yoke," and "collar protector."

[FenderJoshBass]

By throat guard you mean the nape pad right? This is probably a long shot, but if you live near a military base they're for sale at the navy exchange.

[TehLlama]

You don't even need the FLC - though they're cheap enough, and that would be a great option in the summer if you decide that dropping 10lb in water weight under an IBA isn't worth it.

NVG mount looks nice, but is superfluous.  Just the backing plate is all that's needed, since you won't be keeping the goggles up there for a rainy day (mostly pogue usage anyway).

A cheap solution to the nape/collar issue is just adding a shemagh.

As far as IBA having the rear PALS webbing - we had both in the sytem at that time, I've had one of each (and since moved on).

A dummy PEQ2 would also go a long way to a complete impression, as would a dorky 3-pt sling.  The Specter gear version was the most common then.

[Mad Dog]

i wouldn't bother with a FLC since you won't be in a situation where you'll want to drop the MOLLE attachments on your flak but still need the flak.  if that's an issue, just use a MOLLE war belt and attach your mag pouches, drop pouch, and IFAK (if you want to be authentic) to that and have nothing on your flak except a CAT tourniquet.  that's what some of our guys do, and something i'm thinking of doing if i don't get a HSGI Weesatch before deployment.

as for slings, i would highly recommend either a one-point or improvised one-point using 550 cord.  3-points are irritating to no end.

bellevilles are awesome.  i'm still rolling with mine from boot camp and they've outlasted two pairs of bates combats which were awful, straight awful.

as an interesting note, instead of flight gloves, a LOT of marines in my battalion roll with Blackhawk SOLAG nomex gloves with padded knuckles, especially some of our SAW gunners.  i personally use a plain set of mechanix mpact gloves, but am thinking of switching out to something else with better grip.

i would HIGHLY recommend a set of kneepads, and alta makes a superb set.  i'm relying on a set of hatch ones i got out on town, and really only needed one out in the field for my dominant knee since i would take a knee a lot and had the weight of my fully loaded ILBE and AN/PRC-117F in it.

[Nixons Back]

I can't find a place to buy the collar anywhere, I checked on eBay, couldn't find any OTV collars in Coyote Brown. If you can find any I'd be grateful. Thanks.

http://redwolfairsoft.com/redwolf/airsoft/Combat_Gear_Pouches_Attachments_Pantac_Outer_Tactical_Vest_Neck_Pad_CB_Cordura.htm
Is this what your looking for?
Came across it while looking for a groin protector for my OTV, lol.

[Mad Dog]

but it doesn't include the collar attachment, which is a must, because I hate it when the utility uniform collar sticks out, just looks unprofessional. Also, which NVG mount for the helmet? Preferably one that's not too expensive, as it is just for looks after all, and serves no real function in airsoft. Thanks guys.

i guess me and mine are pretty unprofessional *sarcasm*, since most all of us flip our collars up under our flaks, even with the yoke and throat pro on.  believe me, it helps to keep your rank from digging into your chest under your SAPIs (the second from top cammie button and dog tags are bad enough), as well as keeping your sling from chafing your neck if you don't have the yoke.  if you're not wearing your rank on your flak, then having your collar out will remedy this.

on that particular detail note, there's conflicting SOP on this.  i had been told in SOI only NCOs and above wear rank on their flaks, but it's our company SOP here in the fleet for everyone to wear it, not just NCOs and officers.  weird huh?

as for NVG mounts, either the squared ATN mount or diamond Notoros mount will do, as i've seen both worn by us grunts.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Having different insignia standards between enlisted, NCO, and officer grades is a great way to advertise to spotters and snipers who's head to blow off next. Bad juju.

[Mad Dog]

how do you think i feel?  i gots a 10' whip antenna sticking out of my pack.

on another note for the author's loadout, make sure your M16A4 has FN markings and your M4 is an actual Colt M4 and not a M4A1.  we don't use M4A1s in the regular grunts.

[Squeezeme]

how do you think i feel?  i gots a 10' whip antenna sticking out of my pack.

That sucks, a friend of mine was going to become a radioman as well, but the weight of a radio + a higher value target was enough to get him to become a reservist armorer instead . Good luck on your deployment!

Also, maybe this was just with me, but I found the collar piece super irritating when I wore it back when I rocked an OTV, just go without it. Chances are, nobody is going to care or know it's missing except you. I also support the FLC as a great summer/ hot weather vest.

[Mad Dog]

i'm not a 0621, i'm a 0311, but they made me platoon RO, which sucks because i'm more like an attachment now.  i'm not really part of any fire team or squad.  at least i roll with a M4 and work closely with the platoon sgt and LT

i personally dislike the FLC, not only because it takes too long to adjust, but the metal swivels on the back will dig into you, which sucks.  we're allowed to buy our own gear, as long as it's approved for use by our CO, and our seniors are generally pretty helpful with gear selection.  thus, you don't NEED a FLC.  i've seen blackhawk and HSGI vests everywhere.

one accessory that you didn't list that i just remembered that we carry almost all the time is an Arcteryx assault/day pack.  quite a useful piece of gear, and we've been told we'd roll with them in combat all the time, me especially being an RO.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280541636099&rvr_id=140205896552&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=7d8e82281290a0aad456bee6ff31ef80&itemid=280541636099&ff4=263602_263622

they're not pricey either for a legit one off ebay.

[TehLlama]

Hahaha MD - you're too smart to be a plain grunt.  Think of how bad it is carrying christmas trees of antennae sticking out of crap?  AND being the only jerkoffs with M16's attached to units using M4s.
They gave up trying to make us wear ranks on flaks after leaving US soil for the travesty that is.  Pleatherneck is still a world unto itself, but I digress.

The FLC is rubbish, completely.  A cheap used one (under $10) might make some sense.

For the going price of the Propper made (Arcteryx designed), you're also looking at a variety of smaller packs that would be a better fit for airsofting (the BFG DAP pack, or TAG Rampage).  We do roll with mostly the assault packs, though for a '07 even a Eagle III-A pack in woodland camo is 'right'.

If you focus a touch less on details (since there is a great degree of variation anyway) and just roll around in dirt, it'll look a lot closer. 

[Crimson_Phoenix]

I love my FLC about as much as I love my ALICE suspenders and belt rig, but I'm not some high speed door kicker type either. It was available, it does what I want it to do, and I'm satisfied with it. My only "military" experience with LBE was watching third year Cadets having to either do a mile around the Quadrangle or force march with full battle rattle, including flak and k-pot as punishment for some serious **** up. First year Cadets, like me, weren't allowed to have it, though if you wanted something decent, you bought it yourself and made damn sure it was locked up and hidden so it didn't get "confiscated" by your superiors during the next room check.

[MedicmanV2]

How close is SDS's rendition of Coyote Brown to the actual thing?

[Crimson_Phoenix]

SDS is a government contractor, so it should be plenty close.

[Mad Dog]

it's the same.  we get issued some SDS stuff, like mag pouches and the like, so you won't have to worry about that.  funny enough, i've seen marines wearing gear that isn't CB.  khaki, OD, whatever they like, as long as it's given the thumbs up by higher.  the only time i've seen someone get told no about something was one of our fellow boots nicknamed Ninja was told not to use a plate carrier he bought out on town because it was a plate carrier, not a LBV.  we all thought that was pretty funny.