thanks steel fan. i am going to book mark these and read them when i get done with this paper i got to do, due before midnight.. just a 4 page essay so it shouldnt be TOOO bad. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Recon,

On the snug pack systems....google them and they may be available Stateside.
The special forces double bag is the one to look at as you can tailor this for different levels of climate....take what you need...no more. They are the Gucci gear now over here because they pack up smaller and are lighter than the Buffalo system. If you need to sleep in boots Snugpak also do a square military bag which has more foot room and can be used better like a duvet as it unzips all the way. A useful bag for a mechanized military role but is a bigger package for a Bergan. Not sure if some of these tips would help you but here is some of what I have found useful over the years:-

- Look at using natural wool to tie off your basher/poncho system. You want it strong enough to hold the basher but easy enough to pull and snap when you need to bug out fast on a contact. You can buy green wool at any knitting shop and just ask to test some. Far quicker than bungees or untying para cord.
- I used two old Hessian paymaster postal bags cut down to go over my boots before getting into the bag if sleeping with boots on. They allow the boots to breath and dry and stop mud messing up the bag.
- Some guys took trainers for camp/sleeping...I had two pairs of boots...one dry for bag use and these had a zip attachment instead of laces so quick to zip up and GO. Sometimes though both pairs are wet....and the Hessian sacks are useful.
- SOP's vary on a stand to...my situation was to avoid a contact and run and hide ( again! )...I worked a LOT on my bug out drill...which in turn dictated how I slept....I tied off a lot of the kit to my bergan before sleeping and was always ready to go...bundled bag,mat and bivi into poncho and threw it over my head like a parachute carry after a drop once I had the Bergan on. Sort my stuff out later but the speed of doing it like that was VERY quick if I needed to disappear. If they slipped out my grip before tying the bundle off I could still find them in the dark because of the tie off's. But YMMV depending on your unit.Hammocks needed for the jungle can be used the same way....but bash the Poncho well before pulling it...there are always some "bugs" on them. The point of this last tip is to emphasise keeping your kit with you....we would here about a lot of guys...even our Special Forces...who would leave kit on a contact and then be down to survival from their belt kit. Some died later because of the exposure or hypothermia....how you sleep is one of the most overlooked fundamentals on training IMO.
- Belt Kit Survival - if you HAVE to ditch the Bergan the one thing you will miss is cold weather gear...Mountain Equipment did a jacket called the "Mountain Lite"....it was a down jacket which folded into a stuff bag about the size of a Coke can...I had one of those in multiple waterproof raps in my belt kit...the only "down" garment I had but the only one which folded so small and could give huge warmth when used to sleep with or warm up after a river crossing. That bit of kit was so brilliant when needed I would seriously advise you consider one. Other companies may do the same thing...mine was bright blue and yellow...so I dyed it dark green...came out a bit of a mess but was still tactical and still worked.

HTH'S

S/F.

great post Steel Fan!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Much to learn here. Great post, everyone <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .