US Army National Guard 1980s  impression

[@ChickenInPants]

I... neeeedd ittttt

[@noface4176]

Alot of guard units still used the elvis collar cotton bdu uniforms

[@LrngMn]

Maybe more the old style belt with black, open buckle? Each service had theirs, army and navy sharing black. Khaki for Marine Corps, blue for AF. Helmet band needs work, the standard US helmet band first worn in WW2 is the type. Also, at some point they started issuing them with two reflective patches on the back. I was in AF 81, 82 USNR 83 84

[@Collectinghistory935]

Yeah, I forgot to grab that two reflective headband. I do have that.

[@LrngMn]

@@Collectinghistory935 You'll be amused, when I joined NR as Corpsman with Marines(1/25) we were wearing ERDL'S, both green and brown(steel helmets, wooden etools, etc, too), and then we got BDU's just before I got out in 84, but only the pants had come in llo! Marine Reserve Supply always has problems.

[@Collectinghistory935]

@@LrngMn Thank you for your service dude.

[@brinsonharris9816]

You need black leather boots with the chevron sole. Not that expensive on eBay. Good, durable, sturdy and comfortable once you break ‘em in.

[@Collectinghistory935]

Ok thanks

[@shadowwolf9503]

​@@Collectinghistory935 Really good video. I served with my local Army National Guard Field Artillery Unit here in Southern Indiana, 1982-88. I went to Ft Sill, OK during the summer of 82. I was in one of the first training Batteries to be issued the then new Woodland camouflage BDU's. Guys in Training Batteries just 2 weeks ahead of us were wearing the OD green uniforms with white t-shirts and the Mitchell helmet covers. I was issued 6 t-shirts. 3 white and 3 brown. Green t-shirts were also being issued. We could wear any of these with our BDU's. I did get 2 field jackets in the old OD green color. I was issued 2 pair of the black leather combat boots. Once I got to my unit, we could wear the jungle boots- but we had to buy them. I liked them and did buy and wear those instead of the all black ones. We were issued the old steel pots like you have. The then new kevlar helmets were just being issued then, but my unit never was issued them. I did buy a kevlar helmet. One of our cooks found one that had been lost by a 101st Air Assault soldier at Ft Campbell, KY. We were there in 1983, doing our annual 2 weeks summer camp (my first one). I gave him $10 for it and began wearing it. It ended up causing somewhat of an uproar lol. My Gun Chief didn't care, but some other Sgts told me I couldn't wear it. The issue quickly made its way all the way up to my Captain. After a short discussion with him, my Captain decided I could wear the kevlar since it was authorized-- and if anyone in our unit wanted to buy one, they could use it. I liked the steel pot better to be honest. I used both during my enlistment. Just depended on my mood. We were never issued the kevlar and no one else ever bought or used one besides me. Our ALICE gear was a rag tag mixture of old and new style. We were issued OD green ALICE packs. We also had the Vietnam era green flak vest, but very rarely wore them. I was issued the old M-16A1 rifle in basic and at my home unit. And they were wore out, beat to Hell and back ! I volunteered to be the M-60 gunner for my Gun (105mm Howitzer). We had 6 105mm Guns in my Battery and each gun had an M-60. I really loved that weapon ! My Battery, A Battery, was also issued one M-2 50 caliber machine gun. My gun section, Gun 6, was issued the 50 caliber and it was mounted on our truck. Our officers and medics were issued pistols. They were WW2 era 1911's. And they were as beat up as our rifles ! LoL. Oh, and getting back to our ALICE gear. We were issued a belt, suspenders, 2 ammo pouches, a first aid pouch and a canteen with a cover and a metal canteen cup. I added another canteen and an "ass pack" that I already owned. No one ever said anything about me doing so. When in the field, most of us wore bandanas on our heads (pirate style) and around our necks. We pulled those up, "cowboy style" when moving in convoy on dirt roads. 6 trucks can make it pretty dang dusty ! The big, OD green first aid triangle bandages were mainly used. But we also used camouflaged civilian bandanas too. I still have one I used way back then. It's the WW2 "frog skin" pattern. I'm really glad to see that you are interested in the 80's style of National Guard uniforms and gear. I hope this info is helpful to you. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to help. Just give me a holler.

[@Collectinghistory935]

@@shadowwolf9503 Thank for this information dude they’ll help me a lot and thank you for your service.

[@shadowwolf9503]

@@Collectinghistory935 I'm glad to help. And thanks for the thanks ! I do appreciate it. But it was an honor to serve.

[@overdemon3478]

dude nice bdu

[@Collectinghistory935]

Thanks!

[@overdemon3478]

@@Collectinghistory935 i had different helment and it was pasgt