Army scout question

[kelleymmm1]

I know this has nothing to do with knives. So to make it about knives what knife would I want to have with me in iraq or afganistan If i was deployed there?I recently join the army and I am leaving in 2 weeks for bct and ait. Now my real question is how do I explain to my 3yr old girl whats going on and why Im leaving.I have ideas like dads going out of town for a while and will be back soon and its all for work. But I am stressed and confused This is something that i have wanted to do for a while and its like If I dont do it soon ill kick myself in the ass for the rest of my life. the time has come.

 

[Horned Toad]

I know this has nothing to do with knives. So to make it about knives what knife would I want to have with me in iraq or afganistan If i was deployed there?I recently join the army and I am leaving in 2 weeks for bct and ait. Now my real question is how do I explain to my 3yr old girl whats going on and why Im leaving.I have ideas like dads going out of town for a while and will be back soon and its all for work. But I am stressed and confused This is something that i have wanted to do for a while and its like If I dont do it soon ill kick myself in the ass for the rest of my life. the time has come.

Well first I would say switch to an 11B or a 13F with an option 40.

I would have some sort of multi-tool, a medium sized folder, and a fixed blade around 6" or so.

A lot will say dump the fixed blade, I never mined carrying one. I wouldn’t take anything to basic except what is on the list, if you can have it there stuff can be shipped to you later.

Other than that always buy the best you can afford.

 

[ohen cepel]

Randall Knives will hook up active duty military in about 100 days now. Almost positive that it also applies to deploying Reserves/Guard. They limit you to only a few knifes and very few options. However, it's my choice. I have a Model 15 Airmen that I'm taking. Short (5in) and stout.

That, a multi tool, and a SAK (I prefer the Tinker since the philips screwdriver is on the end, but that's just me) will do all you need.

Not sure what to tell your daughter. I'm "lucky" that mine are too young to understand still. I would keep it simple. You won't be gone that long for training and will be able to stay in touch pretty well for most of it. Kids don't understand time so I don't think it will be too bad.

What MOS are you going to be? Assignment?

Best advice for basic is keep quite and never be first or last. It's best if the Drills don't know your name till the end!

God Speed to you.

See ya in the sand.

 

[Berdar]

First of all, don't take any kind of knife or weapon with you when you head off to basic training. It'll only get confiscated.

There are multiple posts in the threads about which blade to carry to the sandbox. Everybody's got their own idea.... probably the best answer is a good multi-tool AND a medium or large folder... preferably one that you won't cry over too much if it gets lost, broken, or more likely, stolen. Many Commanders and Sergeant Major's have blade length restrictions.

As far as dealing with basic training and then deployment with your kid, be honest. At 3, most children can process that daddy's going to be away for a long time for work. Take plenty of photos of the two of you... leave copies for the little one. Be sure to call/write your kid, even if mom has to read the letters. Make sure to plan a bit of special time both before you leave and after you get back. With mom's help, a "short timer's calendar" might be a good idea.

Feel free to contact me with anything you have questions/issues with. Berdar at gmail dot com.

 

[FullerH]

One thing that worked with my adopted daughter when she was about that age and I had to go away on trips was to buy a Teddy Bear and identify it with me in her mind so that, when I went away, she could hold my Teddy Bear as a sort of promise that I was coming back. Since she had been an abandoned child down in the El Salvador civil war, that sort of reassurance was extremely important.

As to going into harm's way, I can only wish you the best of luck and pray for you.