Apocalypse 31

Currently serving with Task Force 1-14 @ FOB Union III (where they hanged Saddam) Not sure how that Stryker recovered, but I do know of a few Strykers walking away pretty unscathed from some huge-ass IED's. My platoon has been fortunate enough to walk away from well over a dozen in the last year without any harm. Knock on wood! Just remember...These videos of Strykers getting hit on youtube and ogrish.com are very popular among the brigade. The video of the Stryker flipping is one that the Brigade Commander makes reference to, especially since there wasnt a single casualty among them. Just wish there was a way to let people know that although these videos look brutal, crew survivability in the Stryker is much higher than any other vehicle out there.

This Stryker is in the same Brigade as me. It's a Stryker ATGM (you can tell by the Hammer head on top) Nobody was hurt, just a few shaken up Joe's thats all

Yeah seriously. I think the batteries actually weight more than the radios. Thats one of the better reasons to be in the cav

Oh boy, then. Thats alot. The MINIMAL weight load would probably be close to 75lbs. If you were an RTO I'd say close to 80 or 100lbs, or breach man. Thats crazy.

Pssst. Someone tell this dude that the Marines dont use M1A2's...They're still using M1A1.

Uh. I'll guarantee the Interceptor I'm wearing now weights ALOT more than that. Add the full ammo load, 2 radios, GPS, and first aid kit on there and you'll find that after a few hours your shoulders go numb. We train hard to fight hard. 47 pounds is nothing. Some of my soldiers carry entire breaching kits on their backs. Some guys are carrying up to 75lbs on their person.

Thats why I have an M14 in my Stryker. Huuah

Compass Bearings? PFF. We dont even use compasses anymore. We have stuff like Pluggers, and Daggr's as well as Force Battle Command to do the navigating. Of course, we're still proficient with compasses, but you will rarely find one on the battlefield.

1/14 CAV (Stryker) here at Union III in Baghdad.

Wont matter. you'll still have a 40-50 lb vest on

You guys are pathetic. Oh, and good job AKD posting two quotes about the same incident. Nice try there, buddy. No cigar though. Better luck next time.

Steve, I respectfully disagree with the idea that body armor does not affect top speed. Unless you mean the fastest a soldier will run and still stay in a cohesive formation. In which case please ignore the rest of this post I am a competive triathlete and have competed in a host of other sports as well. and I can tell you that anything you put on your body that restricts movement (even a bulky jacket)Like webbing, friction from trousers, the bouncing mass of gear, will affect your top speed and endurance. BUT, please note I am talking about TOP speed and not organized disciplined movement, which would be slower anyway. [/QB]

I kind of think this whole discussion is bunk. You really need to understand the training that US soldiers go through to get acclimated to their body armor. We practically LIVE in our body armor for periods of time. It's really not that heavy once you get used to it, and we even go so far as to conduct physical training with it. So no, I really dont see how American soldiers would 'tire' from wearing it. Maybe having Syrian soldiers without body armor move a BIT quicker (not a whole lot) but certainly not have American soldiers tire out. Thats just lame, and incorrect.

How we doing today, gents?

Looked like an MPAT round to me. Multi Purpose Anti Tank. Any 19K's or Mike Golfs' confirm?

I'm carrying a Leatherman as well. Just want the knife b/c its a Ka-Bar and is tradition. Yes, we're issued a camelback. Always been a fan of that. Also went ahead and moved my magazines toward the center of my gear. I've carried lots of ammo before and it just didnt seem like a huge difference in weight for me. I dunno. I'm a freakin mule. I'll pay for it when I'm 40. haha

Already on it, brother. Been practicing, and getting comfortable in it. I find it odd that I've never had persistant feelings in an IBA. Each one I put on is completely different. This one, thank god, is comfortable. And the neck guard isnt bad. And yes, I agree, the personal GPS is gold. I have a Magellin that I'm pretty happy with, also room for a digi in my geek pouch. I'll have to make room for an Mbitr. [ April 03, 2007, 07:22 AM: Message edited by: LT Mike ]

The actual blade isnt wider than 3". Should be good to go with that. I'm definitely not registering it.

I bought most of the stuff on there...Actually all of it except the 2 small utility pouches

Getting ready to go to Iraq within the next few weeks. Got my initial issue today and started toying with my layout. After literally hours of refitting and moving things around I came up with this. 3x 3-mag pouches (9 mags total plus one in the weapon) 3x small utility pouches (plugger, tape, 550 cord, D-rings) 1 large utility pouch (map case, eye pro) 1 geek pouch with attached L.e.d (digi cam, note cards, map pens, pens, sharpies) and cant forget about the desert tan combat Ka-bar Keep in mind, I'm a lefty so I have all my mag cases on one side of the rig. [ April 02, 2007, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: LT Mike ]

5/20 Huah. 3rd Brigade!

You'll be ok. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1c6_1173129768

Oh Ok! I have a buddy who's done two tours, and have met guys who've done three. Thats just absurd. Really wish the Army would transform to 7 month deployments.

Oh Ok! I have a buddy who's done two tours, and have met guys who've done three. Thats just absurd. Really wish the Army would transform to 7 month deployments.

Oh Ok! I have a buddy who's done two tours, and have met guys who've done three. Thats just absurd. Really wish the Army would transform to 7 month deployments.