- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 430
Gunnar said:I am not a soldier, nor was I ever a member of the CF. But:
Everything I have heard about non-issued kit is that once you have passed your basic, you go with what works, and provided it makes sense, nobody really hassles you about it. At one point (or maybe still?) a lot of our guys used American issue rain gear in the field because ours was lousy.
It depends on the unit, the sergeant major of the unit, why you'd NEED to use civilian kit, and the kit in question. By and large though, non-issue kit is frowned upon, except in cases where the army doesn't issue somthing to fill the role, though that would be pretty much nothing (Backpacks used as assault packs or day packs are commonly seen, though they're authorized for use anyway, camel backs are a common purchase, as are knee pads). The biggest thing about non-issue kit is that it pretty much HAS to be olive drab, cadpat, or black if you intend to wear it or use it.
As a recruit? The only non-issue thing I'd show up with would be a pair of insoles for your boots. That's *it*.
Regarding the rain gear, our current issue rain gear is pretty good in a heavy rain, in a light rain you're usually better off wearing nothing, as you'll wind up getting wetter from sweat then from the rain.