When you start recruit training most of the kit you need will be provided (issued) to you. Training teams are very strict about recruits using only issued kit, at least in the first stages of training. The reason for this is that during operations your kit can be damaged or lost and if you have bought items of your own, they will not be replaced like-for-like. You will be issued with standard issue items, so you need to know how to use them.
Once you have passed out of training you can start to purchase non-standard issue kit. Tolerances will vary based on the hierarchy of the Unit/ Regiment you are based and whether you are ‘on camp’ or ‘in the field/ on ops’. There is a lot of ‘tacti-cool’ kit about and there’s lots of choice. The best piece of advice is to find what works for you and is comfortable. It’s no good having kit that looks good but is cumbersome, uncomfortable and adds zero benefit.
Personally, having spent a lot of time away from creature comforts while on exercises or the amenities of a main base or even FOB while on operations, I found myself using a lot of the standard issued kit. For example, I wanted to rush to get a gas cooker to use in the field so I didn’t need to use a hexamine cooker but practically, while on operations, I left the gas cooker behind and only used hexamine. This is because I couldn’t get resupply of gas cylinders but could get hexamine whenever I needed it. I also found the issued warmers kit good. Good enough to keep me warm and not worry about ruining it like I would with a North Face or Arc’teryx jacket.
However, there are practical bits of kit that I would advise personalising as they will increase your operational effectiveness:
- Boots. Your feet are your number one tool on operations so you need to make sure what you’re wearing is comfortable, supportive and practical. You need to think of the environment you will be operating. Dust can block the pores on gore-tex boots which reduces breathability. Leather will degrade in hot and humid environments.
- Webbing. Carrying and being able to access your fighting order equipment is super important. This is an area that has improved massively in the last decade where pouches can be added, moved etc to body armour and plate carriers. Make sure you find what fits and works for you. You need to be able to instinctively get the right bit if kit in times where the seconds really count!
- Sunglasses. I found the standard issue sunglasses made my face sweat which started to impair the visibility through the lenses. I bought a pair of Oakley sunglasses that fitted much better and gave me good visibility in strong sunlight situations.
- Bergen/ Day sack. Royal Marines are known for their ability to ‘yomp’ and it is something you will do whether on exercise or operations. There are brands such as Berghaus that make bergens and day sacks suitable for the military environment. If you have problems with the standard issue bergen its highly recommended that you try an alternative as it could make your operational life much more comfortable.
- Socks. These can be easily overlooked but can make all the difference if you get them right. My go-to socks are Bridgedale as they provide cushioning in the right areas for me, the materials doesn’t rub and they dry quickly.
The kit issued is constantly evolving and improving which should make the need to buy superior kit obsolete. There is always the ‘tacti-cool’ element that usually starts with the SF Units and spreads out to the wider military. Brands like Salomon, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, North Face, Fjallraven and La Sportiva are widely worn in the military community. There is also, of course, the Black Bart Tshirt or Gravelbelly Sweatshirt by Gravelbelly!
Hopefully you will have found this helpful in making kit choices and they make your time in the field more comfortable. *NOTE* I am not affiliated with any of the brand names in this post (other than Gravelbelly). The article is aimed to give advise based on my personal experiences as a former Royal Marines Commando.