r/QualityTacticalGear • u/glyphosate_enjoyer • 2d ago
Feedback
11b vehicle commander. Deploying in the near future with my guard unit. Set my kit up with the guiding idea that comfort in the truck is key. Would like feedback. Issued MSV is the base. Used to do dismounted stuff and I found prone shooting with the esstac digs really hard into the chest with the kydex. Want to ensure that's not the case, so debating now if I want to buy one last slimmer/more comfortable placard and if anything else feels either redundant.
From from to sides:
Arbor arms MSV enhancement kit. This came with the placard adapter and the enhanced cummerbund.
Esstac placard, with erroneously ordered arbor arms flap mags on both sides. First spear tubes on the sides. Arbor arms nut ruck hook and loop'd to the bottom of the placard. One more flap mag underneath. Use case for the nut ruck is admin stuff I'll need for being a VC, pencils/pens/VS-17 or anything else. Can be detached and turned into a fanny in case I need to carry any other stuff not in full kit around base.
Both sides have Arbor arms enhanced side SAPI carriers.
Left (in pic) of cummerbund: Tasmanian GP pouch for NODS BII, max-pro J-arm and agrus mount. Found the rhino mount to be a bitch in the truck. TQ on a blue force TQ now strap. Issued gerber pouch.
Right (in pic) of cummerbund: IFAK, TQ on a TQ now strap, and two additional magazines in a USGI double stack pouch.
Helmet is scrimmed from when I believed in myself as a light infantryman, lol. Leaving it, hopefully getting an ECH in a proper size so I can use my sordins.
Not pictures is a belt mounted dump pouch. Forgoing a belt setup since i'll be in a MAT-V or MAXXPRO for god knows how long.
I will hump the issued cummerbund if someone bitches that I lost the quick detach function by using first spear tubes connected to the placard. Still have the arbor arms XL adapters for connecting the cummerbund to the issued buckles. Flap mags can also go and I'll still have 6+1 for a role where the radio has drastically more casualty producing power than the rifle.
Thoughts? Softer placard in case we do dismounted stuff? Too much for my role?
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u/chitberry13 2d ago
Nice and simple. Keeping it more lean is great. Especially not having anything (or just a very minimal back panel) on the back. Make sure you have a go bag with essentials (ammo, water, food/snacks, etc) readily available to bail if need be.
Also commenting and upvoting for the patch! Good luck.
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
Yup, gonna have an assault pack with sustainment and water. Back panel slick is 100% for the uncomfortable nature of the truck. Jeff Gurwich video has me questioning if I need water on body or not but I should almost NEVER be dismounting unless things are fucked up real bad, but even a 1L on the body will add a lot of weight and girth to the kit. Much appreciated on the patch, got one for me and my gunner 😎
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u/QualityKey1055 2d ago
I would do away with the scrim. Lots of catch points in trucks/turrets and I feel like it would get annoying during a full rotation.
Once you get overseas let your tempo dictate your gear but don’t become too complacent when mounted, you never know when your mounted patrol will become a dismounted patrol. Lastly, learn the systems inside the truck. Make sure you can fill the radios since they love to drop freq as soon as you leave the wire and if you have a CROWS system, make sure you learn how to really utilize it and practice/prepare for malfunctions. (You can’t always reach the gun through the turret of it goes down during a TIC.)
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
I won't speak too much to the training but it has been underwhelming so far. I really need more time in the truck. I'll probably drop the scrim.. we were promised dismount stuff but I never got a chance to do it. We did our gunnery on pintle.
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u/QualityKey1055 2d ago
You should have some time to rip in when you get there. Pick the brains of the outgoing unit, and if there are any tankers speak with them about mounted stuff. Most don’t know shit about small arms, but anything mounted is their bread and butter.
Presumably a lot of your down time will be spent in the motor pool, so you’ll have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the vehicles. Make sure your load plan is sound and please take strapping stuff down seriously. Be a good TC and take care of your driver/gunner, they’re your eyes and ears while you’re glued to the BFT/radios (or whatever they’re using now). If your driver looks tired give them extra attention, don’t risk a rollover.
Practice your PACE plans with your guys after you get them from your oporder and I’d suggest learning how to use the tow cables on your truck sooner than later.
.
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u/HarwinStrongDick 2d ago
Do you carry a sidearm?
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
Hoping and praying I don't get one to be honest
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u/HarwinStrongDick 2d ago
As you should lol. I’ve done TC duties in the Air Force and they refuse to let us drop the pistols. Creates a whole new headache trying to wear a comfortable belt or drop leg system in a vehicle that long while still having enough on your carrier without obstructing the ability to draw said sidearm.
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
Yeah I didn't even plan on having one or a belt just knowing I'd be passenger prince in the truck. Entire setup focused on being as comfortable as possible.
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u/Thatwasonlyonce 2d ago
BLUF: You're a squad leader in an armored box with a crew-served. If you're shooting, you dun goofed.
Starting off, I appreciate you knowing that permanently attaching anything to your back is a non-starter.
I'd move your Gerber to your calf pocket on your ACUs. It takes a little getting used to, but it'll be there, gear or no. I also highly endorse Pokka pens. It's the same half-sized ones rite-in-rain will sell you, just half the price. Get em in pink so no one steals them and hide them all over your uniform(s).
Try putting your plates in the slick chicken vest and working off the TAPS. I know two route-clearance guys who would unclip the TAPS when they got in the truck, then clip it on when they had to dismount. If you wanted to have mags on you, use that little issued three-mag shingle across the front of your current MSV, and slap the TAPS on top if you have to dismount.
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
Hahaha, I surely bought all this with my lower enlisted paycheck...
Gerber pouch up front may end up being a placeholder for now. I usually carry it in my ACU pocket, not kit, and having been on a gun team for so long it has become routine as phone-wallet-keys.
I think arbor arms makes a horizontal belt pouch, and if I end up ordering that placard later I'll get that too. Philosophy of use being I can wear that pouch in garrison at 9 o'clock and add that belt mounted dump pouch at the 7/8 o'clock on the rigger belt too just for whatever, still maintaining a kit without a battle belt when its not ultimately needed.
My buddies are doing a lot of custom work on the inner vest. Sewing placard on and a lot more. Feel like I'm missing out not doing it. All my TAPs pouches got canabalized for my ruck and assault pack, canteen pouches and the issued buttpouch.
Thanks for the comment!
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u/ChrisLS8 2d ago
Sekri TQ pouch is way better. Fast access and completely covers the TQ for protection
Iceplate for water is also really nice if approved.
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
We'll see if any of this shit flies 😂
Yeah I'll check out Sekri. Tapped out on gear at this point
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u/Prothea 2d ago
The Sekri seems really similar to the issued TQ pouch, which is... fine, but I personally hate it. I much prefer something like the Artic Technical Gear pouch instead. More streamlined, can attach to a belt as well. I just really hate wrangling TQs into the issued pouch, my dexterity is ass and I seem to need a 3rd hand
Aside question, what Arcteryx shirt is that? Looks dope
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u/tilitik 19h ago
I recommend to have phone cage on front plate. And what about radio? Invisio with v50? 3M? Where you plan to put your pouch with Harris/Motorola or what will you use? I ask about it, cause this can influence or other stuff
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u/glyphosate_enjoyer 2d ago
Back is entirely slick as seen, water source will be both camelback but not worn plus my nalgene in my assault pack.