Deploying to Afghanistan, tell me what I need!

Okay, here's my situation. I just got the news I'm deploying to Afghanistan in a few months time. I'm likely going in an adviser role, which means I'm gonna be doing a lot of shit on base with Afghan soldiers, police etc. What I won't be doing, kicking in doors, humping rucks over mountains and lots of mounted patrols.

I know several of you Sherdoggies have deployed, so what kind of stuff do you recommend me bringing?

My most likely weapon load out will be an M4 rifle and M9 pistol. I know I need quality mags for each and a buddy of mine recommended getting a plate carrier to wear instead of the full body armor. Not really much advantage to the full vest if I'm not doing mounted patrols. For info, I'm likely deploying as a Captain.

So lets here your thoughts.

 

Hi, first off let me say thank you for your contributions as a Soldier and serving our country.

I haven't been deployed but, am thinking about joining once I graduate from college in a couple of years and am interested to see what the replies are.

 

A laptop, an mp3 player, and a good knife. The px will have most of your wants and needs you can always order shit of the internet too. Good luck and be safe brother.

 

A good folder, plenty of batteries, crystal light packages for said water. Your OWN TP that nobody knows about, baby wipes, vaseline for dry ass, foot powder, MOAR batteries, disposable razors

Your arent carrying strike face plates? if thats the case why bother with an armor carrier at all? just get a chest rig and be done with it. IF you ARE carrying hard armor, a very good carrier to get is the Eagle industries CIRAS. ive had one for years and its great. try to get your shirt to spring for it.

as for your weapons, F-k the official word and get Pmags. Mecgar makes some top notch M9 mags as well. invest in a camelbak accessory/cleaning kit as well. nothing sucks more than for your water carrier to go tits up and now you gotta stuff 1 liter water bottles in your cargo pockets and ammo pouches...

 

We have to wear hard Level IV plates but a buddy of mine just wore his in a plate carrier due to how uncomfortable and shitty designed the standard Army body armor is. Looking for recommendations from people on what they like.

 

You were talking about good mags for the m9 and the ones made by beretta for the m9a1 may be a good option. They are advertised as sand resistant. May want to double check to see if they fit your particular model.

http://www.berettausa.com/products/mag-92-m9a1-sand-resist-9/15rd-9mm/15/jm9a115/

http://www.berettausa.com/products/92fs-type-m9a1-9mm/

 

I deployed 9 years ago, a lot of shit has changed since.

 

Agreed with the batteries. All kinds of them too.Headlamps I have two surefires that clip to my ACH and two regular head lamps. Compass because you always need a compass. multi-tool, combat knife, tactical gloves, a good pistol holster, not that garbage they issue. Wet weather pens and notebooks. protractor, GPS device I have a foretrex 401. pad locks you can never have too many it seems. Bring your own prons. A large capcity hard drive with a lots of movies, books, whatever on it. A quality sleeping mat. We have beds here and I still use my mat. Beds, cots it doesn't matter it all sucks. Tac boxes, get as many as you can. A good set of headphones. You may be sleeping next to that guy that snores all night. Vitamins and supplements. If you're a coffee drinker I suggest getting a camp boiler and french press. Hair clippers. lol I'm looking around my room making this list based off all the shit I have.

 

why not a SCAR-H?

 

dont be the guy who brings nothing but Axe body spray for personal hygiene either

 

You will get issued a plate carrier if you will be allowed to use one. So no reason to buy one. Don't believe anyone's bullshit, you do need soft armor with your plates. They are not stand alone plates and you will be in a world of hurt if you get shot without that soft armor.
Issued M9 mags are just fine if they are newer. There is not the issue that there once was since there can be more than one manufacturer since the AWB expired in 04.

Don't bring more batteries than what is needed for transit. You can get em for free easily enough out of your unit.

 

Yeah, I've got to get a Safariland drop leg holster for the Beretta. I use a Safariland holster everyday with the PD and love them. I've got the multi-tool but need a bunch of the other stuff. Are you in Afghanistan right now? If so, how much longer do you have on your deployment? And thanks for your service.

 

Any links to the plates not being stand alone capable? I've never heard this before. Couple friends of mine did not like the issued carrier and got various other ones that fit better and kept the plates in the proper place. I just hate the damn Interceptor, limits my mobility way too much. I wear soft armor everyday with the PD and the Interceptor, even without the plates is a piece of garbage.

I appreciate all the responses so far, wanted to hear peoples' opinions on what is good and what is not.

 

Biggest lie ever told is that your unit will have what you need when you need it. I did 2 trips to Iraq and one to A-stan and batteries were ALWAYS in short supply. especially in A-stan if you arent at Kandahar. The BX WILL limit the amount you can purchase and scrounging for them is more the rule than the exception.

Or maybe im blowing old info and shit has improved drastically since 2009

 

Did you later deployed guys still use AAFES POGs?

 

Your unit sucked dick, I brought batteries back we had so many, and that was from a COP

 

The plate itself if its not worn to shit will say that it isn't stand alone. Stand alone plates are expensive as shit. They have to have something other than ceramic and fabric to stop the spall. There is a reason that interceptors, the various IOTV's and the issued KDH plate carrier all have soft armor.

You can buy your own plate carrier if you so choose. Just don't be shocked to get guff from your unit about it. You will either have to plan in some lead time to jump the hurdles to get the soft armor for the plate carrier or get one that takes the KDH soft armor.

 

Chances are that until they transition to entirely electronic in the far future that there will always be pogs due to weight

 

My headphones and Ipod were the two most important things I bought.

Truth. I don't know about your chain of command, but mine would have shit a chicken if I had shown up to a mission brief wearing a kit that wasn't issued.

Pogs will never die.

For the love of God don't be that guy.

 

If I were going downrange again, I'd bring a carton or two of Marlboro reds. I don't smoke but you can ALWAYS trade cigs. And +1 on the headphones.