Question for the military folks.

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

Joined
Feb 1, 2001
Messages
2,671
We have talked about what khukuris we would like to take with us if we were going off to war. I was wondering what the restrictions are in the Army, Navy, Air Force or any branch on what you can bring with you? If a young man enlists and goes off to boot camp will he be able to bring his own trusty knife of choice? Could he Bring an 18 inch Ang Khola? If not would he ever be able to when the time is right to carry and use it with his issiue gear? Also what about Pocket knives? Can they go right away? And what about your favorite pistol? Can you carry a Sig, Kimber, Glock, Springfield of your choice? How does all this work? I hear stories of Soldiers carrring their own weapons in the field and I hear stories that they can only carry what the military gives them and nothing else.
 
From when I was in the army in the 80's you couldn't keep nothing of your own during basic training. But once you were stationed somewhere
things were diffrent. As far as knives I've seen all kinds taped to l.b.e's. It is pretty much up to the individual unit commanders what they want to see in formations. As to what you have on you after formation I don't think there would be a lot of complaints. As for side arms again it depends on the unit commanders. When I was in you could have fire arms while stationed on post as long as you kept them with the armorer. If the commander allowed them to be packed and shipped I imagine he would allow you to use them overseas. I'm a little young for vietnam; But, I've heard some soldiers ditched thier new m16's and picked up ak-47's to use becuase they didn't have the problem with jamming.
 
From when I was in the army in the 80's you couldn't keep nothing of your own during basic training. But once you were stationed somewhere
things were diffrent. As far as knives I've seen all kinds taped to l.b.e's. It is pretty much up to the individual unit commanders what they want to see in formations. As to what you have on you after formation I don't think there would be a lot of complaints. As for side arms again it depends on the unit commanders. When I was in you could have fire arms while stationed on post as long as you kept them with the armorer. If the commander allowed them to be packed and shipped I imagine he would allow you to use them overseas. I'm a little young for vietnam; But, I've heard some soldiers ditched thier new m16's and picked up ak-47's to use becuase they didn't have the problem with jamming.
 
Over on my side of the globe we were restricted in boot camp but otherwise private equipment is largely tolerated (as long as it doesn't get in the way) and even common.
However, since there is a political/electronic media side and "innocent civilians" abound, using the wrong weapon could get you into trouble if somebody in an airconditioned office questions your judgement. Pretty much similar to protecting yourself and then being sued civilly in the U.S. (and that happens here too). Using nonissue allows the insurance carriers to deny coverage.
I imagine this didn't happen in Afghanistan and won't happen initially in Iraq.

mosh
 
Not too sure about today, but back in the 80's when I was in the Marines after boot camp we could carry what we wanted as far as knives were concerned.

I think today they have to keep them locked up in the armory from what I heard from some who just got out not to long ago.

You would be better off waiting until you get to your unit and ask then what you can and can't do.
 
"You would be better off waiting until you get to your unit and ask then what you can and can't do."

That's the best bet. You wouldn't want to send a guy a knife only to have him wind up in trouble with his chain of command. All they need to take with 'em to basic training is an open mind and a positive attitude. Uncle Sam will give 'em the rest (even a really sporty haircut).:D

Sarge
 
I agree with Sarge. You should just ask.

In Vietnam I carried an M16 and a KaBar. The M16 felt like a toy next to the M14. Anyway, I lost the KaBar one night when things got a little dicey. Don't know what happened to it. It probably ended up in some grass hut and is fixin somebody's dinner, I guess. I still miss that knife.
 
Semp, I picked up some Russian bayonets over in Afghanistan that had letters and numbers etched into 'em, apparently with an electric engraving pen. My boys pondered over this, but I knew what I was looking at right away. I've still got the old Kabar I carried back in the eighties. Etched on it's blade are the first initial of my last name, and the last four digits of my serial number, as was the requirement back then. I keep it packed with the M-9 bayonet I was issued in Desert Storm. Both good knives, but nowadays I've got better.:D

Sarge
 
When I showed up for bootcamp March 1952 the first thing they did was confiscate my straight razor and shaving mug both of which I never saw again. The DI told me we couldn't have any weapons in boot camp. I retorted that I was in the wrong branch of the military considering that weapons were denied fighting men and asked to be transferred to the Marines. The DI said, "Martino, if I had another son of a bitch who could type as well as you I'd have your ass in Korea tomorrow."

End of story.
 
good story, uncle.
A viet-nam vet buddy of mine had to dig a carport sized hole to bury his issue glasses in because he told the DI they were killing him :)

Keith.
 
Originally posted by Ferrous Wheel
good story, uncle.
A viet-nam vet buddy of mine had to dig a carport sized hole to bury his issue glasses in because he told the DI they were killing him :)

Keith.
Click to expand...

:D

One day during my basic training at Great Lakes in 1982, we were standing in formation when I killed a yellowjacket that was crawling down my collar.

I had to bury it in a six-foot grave. :rolleyes:

The only offensive weapon I had cause to use during my overseas tour was a car radio antenna hastily torn from the hood of a Citroen in Palma.
 
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