Vietnam veteran's gear

Vietnam veteran Jeff Myers, of Whiting, shows gear he used during the Vietnam War, while he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. You can find the story for which this video was created, along with additional material, at www.nwitimes.co...

[@RonaldJMacDonald]

Congratulations, the flack jackets still fit you. I had a 27 inch waist when I joined the Navy in 1965, it's now 40 inches.

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

That's some nice thickness

[@Stahl_und_Eisen]

@Bearded black T-shirt no lol people just got fatter

[@mikeofwar2684]

@@Stahl_und_Eisen Hey that's true but we're all playing pretend thst its not. Don't kill the dream

[@skatedoodle2117]

Damn boi he thicc

[@mnfrench7603]

Its a feature built into military gear. The longer you don’t wear it, the smaller it gets. No one really knows why, it’s a mystery.

[@paulgilson2011]

Thank you for your service. I missed Vietnam by 7 years, but still had to sign up for the draft. Your generation gave up so much. Instead of chasing women and driving nice cars you went to war. I appreciate what you did for our country

[@brianjschumer]

Wow very cool, thank you for showing this..this was a war not that long ago, and no one seems to know much about it..except the guys who lived it..

[@lapplandsjagare]

ok 🙋🏻‍♂️ Hello from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@Aluminati1]

It's amazing that he kept so much. I wish my grandfathers kept their gear from WW2(Canadian Army & Royal Canadian Navy).

[@marinedog1987]

That is very cool seeing what the troops worr back then. That south east Asia heat and humidity for sure caused a lot of soldiers to shed down to their more bare essentials. Its amazing how much more stuff the Army and Marines have to carry now on patrol compared to 50 years ago. Back in 2010 I deployed to Afghanistan Helmand Province with 3rd BN 1st Mar. My personal gear list for just patrol was as follows. A Gentex LWH kevlar with helmet cover, Rhino NVG mount, ESS sand goggles, and cat eyes. My plate carrier had 4 plates, two 10x12 and two 6x6 ceramic plates. A triple mag pouch with 6 30rd magazines of 5.56, a Individual First Aid Kit,, 4 tourniquets (one for each limb), admin kit with NVG and Garmin GPS, 2 hand grenade pouches with M67 frags, and a dump pouch (supposed to be for empty magazines but we loaded it with water bottles). A Source WXP 3L hydration system. A PRC 152 Harris radio with handset. 2 regular chem lights, 2 IR chem lights. An assault pack with another double mag pouch containing 4 more magazines, 2 canteens in the pouches attached to the sides of the pack and 1 MRE meal. 1 green star cluster (to report comm being down), 1 red star cluster (to alert friendlies of location where were are receiving contact), and 1 white star parachute (for illumination) flare. Sometimes carried the PRC 117 radio with whip antenna in place of PRC 152 or the Guardian/Thor signal jammer, or a LAW rocket. I carried one can of 7.62x51 belt ammo for the M240B in case they needed it My rifle was an FN M16A4 with Trijicon ACOG, PEQ-15, and carried on a 3 pt sling. Black hawk gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, Bates hot weather boots, and my uniform was frog desert MARPAT gear. Water was probably the single most important resource we never cut ourselves short on. We carried as much as we could.

[@Trollioli]

Interesting thing about the boots with the steel soles. The VC learned of this and modified their punji traps to have a strap of cloth over the hole to where if you stepped on the cloth, it would sink your foot in the hole and bring up 2 pieces of wood with spikes in it to sandwich your ankles. That way they could bypass the steel soles all together and punch through the canvas part of the boot.

[@6174ever]

God bless our Vietnam War veterans. My mentors in the Infantry

[@wassup934]

Thank you sir for your service. I wish our country respected you as much as I do.

[@ncc17701a]

Great collection! Thanks for sharing. I have some of this in my collection too.

[@jeromecabral7464]

Thank you for your service sir

[@TheAlexdx7]

Thank you for your service.

[@mr.jinjie3749]

at least 80% of older USMC vets I see have mustaches. It's great.

[@CarlosRodriguez-rf7zm]

Is amazing how he tells the uses that he gave to things.

[@melvinmcmanus7046]

THANK U FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND WELCOME, GOD BLESS U AND YOURS THIS VIDEO BROUGHT BACK ALOT OF MEMRORIES

[@jeremyhook1818]

Thank you for this. My father fought in the jungles during the 50s for 4 years. I have photos of him in Malaysia and Kenya. He was 6'5" looking a lot like a Mexican bandit because of his bandaliers? of ammunition and parang (machete).

[@RahimmacDonald]

My grandfather was in Vietnam. I wonder if he knows you.by the way thank you for your service

[@nathantroutman2251]

Was he issued that web gear? That type was strictly used by the Army. I'd have thought he would've been issued the Marine 782 gear which is a little different. At any rate, it's cool to hear a vet talk about his gear! I'm always learning!

[@dougross101]

I'll ask him about that next time I see him.

[@dougross101]

Jeff bought some additional gear while he was over there, apparently.

[@nathantroutman2251]

Ah, That would make sense. A lot of Marines liked the Army gear more than the Marine stuff.

[@FTulumello]

Nathan Troutman Web grear & 782 gear ...deuce gear.....same thing. 782 is the form number you signed for the gear when its issued to you.

[@FTulumello]

One thing has me scratching my head. They issued him cammies during vietnam? When I went in post vietnam I was issued cammies but you still had the option of wearing satiens. I truthfully didnt think they started issuing cammies until post vietnam. I dont think Ive ever seen a vietnam video where any marine was wearing cammies.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

That was very informative, my thanks, I for one really would like to acquire some authentic USMC Vietnam era equipment, a full set of uniform would be great, boots, pants, shirt, flack vest & helm.

[@mh53j]

Alexandru von Carstein Zarovich hope you have some cash, stuff is getting ridiculously expensive

[@workingmansdead44-ug8hl]

Thank you sir.

[@Vatryk]

Thanks for sharing

[@simonkimberly6956]

1:12 is that a East German rain drop canteen I spotted in the upper left hand corner

[@bigbake132]

I saw that too

[@cowboy915100]

Welcome home soldier!!

[@damiion666]

I think this dude was a pog

[@Urmom-dd1mh]

Thank you for your service, sir! You’re a hero

[@akitatomonobu7447]

Thank you for your service

[@Him_Hefner]

I showed this video to my father who fought at Khe Sanh, he said this brought back so many memories, he said thank you & welcome home.

[@dougross101]

Great! Thanks for letting me know.

[@xxnativegamerxx8764]

Doug Ross thank you for your service

[@lindarobinson195]

Lost my friend there glad you made it yours Evans w Robinson

[@turkishboyMLT]

Exaclty and how he kept all those equipment all of these years in good condition and organized, he got my respect and appreciation. I hope his relatives will keep them as same as he did, thanks for sharing this video!

[@Y_ooKang]

was your father drafted?

[@brianemery8945]

To try and imagine the horrible things this man has seen in this outfit......

[@Apoc_Bone_Daddy]

@Lloyd Smart commies ain't people, he was cleaning up the streets

[@Len1977gt]

@Lloyd Smart We can do horrible things to you if you'd like

[@anglerfish1001]

@Lloyd Smart What makes you think he did horrible things?

[@jefflindeman]

@Lloyd Smart ~Well, we know which side of the deserter statistics you would fall on don’t we? Grow the fuck up. I know if it came down to you or my brothers in arms, you’d find out what horrible things I might be capable of.

[@agall664]

@@Apoc_Bone_Daddy exactly

[@sambeach2726]

I know Australians who served in Vietnam. They didn’t generally wear helmets or flak jackets. Too hot and heavy. You have a great collection. Thanks for serving your country . Regards from Aus.

[@Cinemaphile7783]

All gave some Some gave all God bless

[@drvonschwartz]

That gear is in remarkably good condition... Must've been well kept and properly stored

[@minhnghiaduong]

Vietnam has join the chat

[@anglerfish1001]

I imagine a lot of that equipment isn’t his original gear.

[@Cotac_Rastic]

@Phil Wilson I wouldn't say "better made" we just have more access to a variety of space-age polymers and plastics now which allow us to create really remarkably wack clothing that can keep a soldier insulated and prevent him from overheating.

[@markkoger4066]

Or new, right equipment but new?

[@PineValleyDigital]

Jeff Myers, Welcome Home Brother! Yeah, I carried most of that gear, and more in Nam, Wpn's Plt, Jul '66 - '67

[@infoslivki587]

Do you fill sorry about what the US-Army did in Vietnam?

[@infoslivki587]

@Bluejaay - you shut up

[@sneakybandit3451]

@@infoslivki587 dipshit

[@smashhitprodutions9739]

@@infoslivki587 shut your damn mouth boy dont ever ask shit like that you little rat slag

[@herothereenactor]

@@infoslivki587 yeah sthu

[@johnmorgan4405]

My father served in the Army during Vietnam. He never talked about his military time, and died in 1991, so I never really got a chance to ask him. Thanks for posting this and giving people some insight into your life and as a Marine in Vietnam. Welcome home and thank you!

[@retiredyeti5555]

I know where your dad was coming from - A lot of us don't talk about it - too many painful memories, too many demons. Now 77 and it still haunts me at times.

[@sadetta9312]

@@retiredyeti5555 comments like these scares the shit out of me. I have to go to army in 2022 or 23 and i really don't want to but i have to. I've heard alot of horror stories about wars.

[@retiredyeti5555]

@@sadetta9312 - sorry to hear that you live in a country with mandatory military service. The USA was like that during my youth/young man days. But I enlisted in the Navy, just 2 weeks ahead of the draft notice coming to my parents house. But fate has its' way , still saw combat in 'Nam.

[@phapnui]

This brought back memories. The poncho reminded me of Army basic training. One day we were trained how to deal with a nuclear bomb attack: dig a hole, jump in and cover your head with the plastic poncho. Kind of similar to the "duck and cover" weekly exercises in grade school and just about as effective, maybe less so as I don't think one would have much time to dig a hole when a nuclear blast is going off. Boots were another thing. Ones I was issued in basic were big clunky things. Before heading off to flight school, I bought a pair of Corcoran jump boots. In Vietnam, the heels feel off and as a pilot they would not issue me new ones and had to get a pair in the black market or walk around with high heel moccasins. When I bought the boots I had them kick in a pair of "Ho Chi's", sandals made out of truck tires , to wear around camp. Very comfortable but turned my feet black. It still pisses me off I had to buy boots and even had to buy/trade for a weapon to keep in my hootch as we were only issued sidearms for flying missions and had to check them when finished. As a newbie I was ordered to drive around perimeter at night and climb up guard towers to make sure everyone awake. First one guys were smoking dope and pointed M-16s at my head challenging me to do something about it. That's when I decided to getting my own weapon a high priority. We were issued flak jackets we called "chicken plates". I wore them for one mission. They were heavy and uncomfortable. Only a few pilots wore them. Two I knew who did were flying single ship Cobra mission at night to provide protection for an extraction of a downed helicopter and back seat pilot took a 50 cal in his chest and they crashed. Both died. We had flight helmets that had some foam inserts for comfort but a .22 would probably go through them. Good for flying and working radios only.

[@TheCarDemotic]

I love hearing stories from Vets like you. Always so many Interesting things they have to say.

[@uppedya6744]

Liar...

[@phapnui]

@@uppedya6744 Yes I am...when friends from US visit me in Saigon, I take them up to the roof top bar of the Rex Hotel to listen to the oldies band and tell each other lies to keep the "Five O'clock Follies" alive...

[@kennedysuggs4691]

@phapnui Thank you sir

[@chloekit4861]

phapnui did you lose a lot of buddies in Vietnam?

[@u.s.a.9534]

VIETNAM 66-67 "DMZ" USMC..................

[@buffalo_love_7165]

Ty for your service

[@baileyvaldez737]

Buffalo_love_716 s

[@Inbush-cx6tt]

You write the funniest commets I'm always seeing u in vids😂

[@vincepurpura8905]

@@baileyvaldez737 You're from Buffalo? "City of good nieghbors"!

[@Native_love]

That's an awesome video! It's so nice to finally see an explanation of the uniforms that my uncle wore in his combat pictures. He saw heavy combat as a hilltop artillery security soldier in the Army during Vietnam. He had all kinds of pictures with captured RPG's, AK's and pictures under fire a dusty trench. God bless all Vietnam war Veterans! I thank you for your service!

[@matttomlin1024]

This is one bad man. Thank you for your service sir I’m in awe of how many magazines you carried with you I cannot imagine your sacrifice. Thanks again -Matt 21yrs

[@R.J._Lewis]

Somewhere, a supply troop is still looking for all of this stuff.

[@dougross101]

Jeff bought a lot of this gear after the war.

[@ronluckenbach9492]

Thank you Doug, for your informative video..very straightfoward..and above all..Thank you for your Service.

[@v8nquish]

You seem like a nice guy, the thought of another man aiming a gun at you to destroy you is terrible. I thank God you made it.

[@infoslivki587]

Mister Nice Guy went to Vietnam to kill other people. Just think about that for a second. And no, he is not sorry about this!

[@jayzeeee1234]

I,

[@casper34xv19]

Apollinaris piece of shit boy you can feel cool about yourself but karma gonna get you wether you repent or not

[@casper34xv19]

Apollinaris how can you hear a text ? You stupid no cap

[@liamclarkpiano4559]

@Phil Wilson ah yes, someone must be a communist spy if they have compassion for the enemy and don’t think the other side is full of monsters. Vietnam was just a terrible war, and I feel bad for everyone involved

[@philbrown9764]

When I was discharged in ‘70, after being in Chu Lai 68-69 1st MAW MAG 12, I’ve never opened my sea bag. I guess when I’m gone, my wife will either toss it or donate it to Goodwill.

[@Bernesemtdog]

Hopefully that doesn’t happen. But if it’s donated to goodwill there is a chance they’d be picked up by collectors or re enactors. You wouldn’t still happen to have a Lightweight rucksack would you?

[@elitewill-fr3dx]

Stumbled across this video. I'm impressed at how insanely good care that must have been taken of that gear considering they all look in immaculate condition

[@barterhootch5551]

Mr. Jeff Myers. I am not a US citizen but I thank you for your service. Some of my best lessons were taught to me by US veterans. The discipline, the meaning of Honor and service . I'm working in my 19th year as L.E.O. south of the border and some of those lessons have helped me stay alive.....the horrors cannot be completely understood except for those who were there......be safe Sir, and best wishes. Semper Fi.

[@xDrIvEby101x]

Just wanna give a thanks to all those who served and those who are serving right now. Couldn’t imagine myself in this mans shoes.

[@fredarcher7134]

My dad brought home two German Sub Machine Guns from WWII, but they checked all our gear when we came back from Vietnam. No guns as souvenirs from Nam!

[@phapnui]

They let me hand carry a wooden Montagnard crossbow with bamboo arrows but confiscated all my war photos and journal detailing every mission I was on. They wouldn't let us go home if we did not pass a urine test. I know of some full bird colonels who didn't pass and did not fly home with us. Lt Calley got a pass murdering over 500 women, children and babies at My Lai but if a soldier got caught with one joint, they got discharged with bad paper. Murdering people was good and you got medals but drugs were bad, even though the CIA and II Corps ARVN general distributed 98% pure heroin to US soldiers from Laotian drug lords.

[@phapnui]

@Phil Wilson In 1971, they put 50 or more soldiers in a small field with rows of empty artillery shells (piss tubes) in which everyone stood in front of. A sergeant on a raised platform led the clown show to make sure no one cheated. Drug use was rampant in the Highlands. Alcohol very cheap at PX. Japanese purple haze LSD from Tokyo was brought back from Tokyo after soldiers patched up and returned to camp. Doctors provided lifers with prescription drugs. Marijuana was brought into camp by the barrel full and you could get as much as you wanted for $5 a month. One of the MOH winners was high when his camp got over run. No prescription for local drug stores, just tell them what and how much you wanted. And to take the edge of things, beautiful local women were brought in camp and went door to door to provide pleasure for officers for $5 USD equivalent.

[@phapnui]

@Phil Wilson At that time I cited, VC had no need to endanger themselves when we were at war with ourselves: juicers vs stoners, EM vs Officers, white against black, guys having real duels with sidearms. Those were insane times and unfortunately in the US we are moving in that direction.

[@multitieredinvestor183]

Two Vietnam tours followed by 4 years in Panama. Never wore a poncho because I would be wetter longer with a poncho. One hour after the rain I would be dry.

[@trackburner3350]

I was Australian nasho 1969-1971and luckily was not sent to Vietnam I spent my 2 years in Australia mainly at Holsworthy.On discharge we had to hand in most of our gear to the store with the exception of our uniform including boots and shoes which I still have to this day.I was never issued with a helmet or combat gear so I guess the American Marines is different and you can keep that stuff.Congratulations on surviving your tour of duty as you know many good men never made it.

[@finneire2081]

God bless these lion hearted Men. Shame on US Government Look after these men and and whats left of them and their families NOW

[@bobbyricigliano2799]

The only thing that separates a Vietnam Veteran from a WW2 veteran is the era he was born in. I admire and salute them all.

[@dannyo3317]

That's correct. I don't buy into all of this "Greatest Generation" bunk and it being WWII veterans. ALL Veterans of any era were "the Greatest Generation" and that WWII Vets would be among the first to agree with this.

[@Silenthilltoo]

seeing him sling the rig over his shoulders like second nature was so cool, like seeing rambo suiting up again, thank you for your service.

[@ABCABC-hn1xw]

Thank you Hero I found your explanation very interesting

[@mayplace1961]

Thank you for your service sir. My son just finished MCT and is headed to California. You stayed in excellent physical condition!

[@tomasjay1005]

Still just as functional today as it was 45 years ago. The way things are going today, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it ready. Mine is.

[@jakedragsknee]

Id be cryin like a baby if I had to go to nam. I would be scared shitless. Thank you so much for your service sir.

[@westoniii]

The patterns may have changed, but the gear is 90% the same in 2020

[@famousbowl9926]

Uhm. not really.....

[@Steven_Ray99]

Could those flak jackets withstand small arms fire (pistols, sub machineguns) pretty effectively also? What about rifles from a distance? Great video by the way.

[@raylemere]

Maybe but must most likely not due to them being made for protection against shrapnel and not bullets.

[@riflemanalex3202]

they can stop up to a 9mm i believe but something like an AK round would go straight through, at distance maybe if it didnt hit you straight on it could be stopped but it'd be lucky, i remember reading about the battle of hue and a marine spoke about how he saw a puff of dust out the corner of his right eye from a round hitting a wall then looking to the left as a fellow marine face planted dead, the bullet went straight through both sides of the flak jacket and him with enough velocity to smack the wall behind.

[@that_one_ark_player9114]

Look who I found LOL

[@shadowwolf7622]

BetrayedColt. I shot one of those green army issue vest from the Viet nam era several years ago with a 45 auto Glock pistol. It stoped at the last layer and didn't go through. If someone was wearing it the bullet wouldn't have gone into them, but I'm sure it would have hurt like hell.

[@shadowwolf7622]

BetrayedColt. And I might add, a 45 slug is one of the easier pistol bullets to stop, having a low velocity. As are 38's. A 9 mm is going a lot faster. I bet with a direct hit it would most likely penetrate. These vest were made to stop low velocity shrapnel. We wore these same vest in the 1980's in my artillery unit. They have some weight ti them and make you at least feel safer.

[@infoslivki587]

Pretty fucked-up bag for an M16-magazines. The Vietnamese used russian chest-bags for magazines, which was more comfortable to carry and gave more protection...

[@jimmieallen5096]

I have some of my dad's gear he brought back from Vietnam ( No I will not part with it) I've made a display that looks good and honors my dad and the friends he lost over there.

[@jacobgilbert6130]

My uncle gave me his cloths from Nam I hung them up with respect ❤️

[@OhighOSkater]

Thank you sir. I appreciate you and this video is very interesting

[@larrysmith1568]

I was discharged in 69. I was allowed to keep my uniform, nothing else. I wanted to keep my field jacket but had to turn it in. I was a contractor in Iraq. When I left I couldn't take anything with me. I bought a holster for my pistol. I couldn't keep it even though I bought it.

[@JuanPerez-yy5hr]

Sir that’s so amazing I’m Austrailan But I want to thank you for what you guys did out there in Vietnam I have a lot of respect for the USA

[@jackleary6246]

Aussies would fight alongside Americans too in nam

[@jackleary6246]

@@daviddou1408 My apologies, I wasnt trying to emulate your slang- just a common shorthand instead of spelling out vietnam

[@mh53j]

ERDL camo uniforms not issued to Marines only. Army recon, rangers, special forces, etc were original users (along with Marine recon units), Marines were first to make camo general issue to all troops. Army stuck with OD jungle uniform. Even Air Force units got ERDLs, especially later in war as supplies of these uniforms increased.

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Wow!!You collected a lot of gear without being caught by the Supply Sergeant or the First Sergeant!Nah that's not hard to do.When other units left stuff behind i managed to get them too....

[@badassserbboy7135]

That standard jacket with 4 pockets outside the pants is in eastern block well known "vietnam jacket" it can be bought in some shops for 60 dollars

[@allen046]

The RMF's had all the poncho liners. Vietnan 66-68 101ST AIRBORNE MOPH

[@tluanga6167]

Thank you for your service..

[@robinwitting2023]

An education in 4 minutes, Jeff! I am 67 and English. Viet Nam was the back-drop to my growing up. I remember the Tet Offensive being in the news and watching B52s flying over the jungle canopy etc. I always wondered, had I been in the US then I might have been drafted.I have read a number of books on the Viet Nam but this is a first hand revelation. Whenever you try things on again does it feel strange? Does it take you back there? I found this fascinating. It would be good to have a pint and a natter with you, Jeff, Respect, Robin Witting

[@georgeboyer8158]

Someone in Supply is looking for you. They want to verify your 782 gear against your signature card.

[@JKhyway]

This guy reminds me of Mr. Touchdown from “Full Metal Jacket”.

[@michaelperez5822]

That's such a cool Military gear collection can u bring back gear from your military service now still because I got alot of Tactical Gear

[@williamm374]

Good video. A lot of times the battle dressing pouch on the shoulder strap was worn upside down, supposed to make it a bit faster to get out when it was needed.

[@tweezerjam]

Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

[@No_fritz01]

Hes studdering a bit, wonder if he still sorta scared from Vietnam...

[@thecrazyyoutuber2017]

My Grandpa served in the Vietnam Way, He retired in the Corps at rank Major. He unfortunately passed away last month 🕊🕊🫡

[@dougross101]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

[@terrykrall]

How can anyone thumbs down this? SALUTE!

[@tonybennett4922]

Very informative, well done Sir . God bless 👌

[@arthurmarinelli9418]

Welcome Home and Carry On, Army Airborne 72-78

[@wouterstavleu4158]

Thank you for your service. Your just a amazing person

[@MichaelSellers5691]

Thank you for you service. My older bro did 2 tours.

[@GDAVALOS]

Funny your web gear is the same shit I had during my time in the Infantry from 1996-2004. And we still used the shelter halves old canvas.

[@TheOlesarge]

Amazing that this guy still has all of this!

[@kimfuller3959]

Victor Bozich He probably went during the end of the war because the boots are steel toed. It's also called washing your clothes.

[@glenncountry]

When i came home in 70 my stuff was pretty used looking. He knew what he was talking about though.

[@mh53j]

Kim Fuller never heard of steel toed jungle boots; steel soles, not steel toed. You know how heavy those would be for an infantryman ? Steel toed jungle boots did become available commercially in late 90s, think were limited issue in Air Force. I wear them every day.

[@scottstetzer]

@@kimfuller3959 There were no steel-toe jungle boots ever issued. Civilian/commercial maybe, but no government contracts ever .

[@bartbutkis]

Respectfully, why would this gentleman save all this stuff.? Just let it go pal.

[@SuperLaplander]

Thank you for sharing this. Best regards from Sweden.

[@douglasclark3384]

Did the Vietnam veterans get to keep their gear and bring it home?

[@shrapmagnet]

Those poncho liners are still issued to this day. Different type of camo, but the same thing. One of the best pieces of field gear ever invented.

[@ElMeroChano]

Amen brother I still have three of my poncho liner’s,

[@slamongo]

Speaking from the other side of the war with humble and respect for the soldiers, 1. the americans were much more adaptive and better equipped than the french and japanese. 2. They couldn't extend too far into Laos and Cambodia, at least the bulk of their forces. 3. their people weren't behind it all and their media blew it all up. Yes, we commies can tune into US media channels back in those days too. We could never win against you guys realistically, but we never had to worry about losing. The strategy was to drag the fight, and it worked.

[@phapnui]

Having an indomitable spirit helped a bit...

[@Hulkyork]

@Eugene Saint respect man

[@seanmcardle]

They used to give us those US raincoats in Australia. We called them 'smock, psychological' because they never actually kept the rain out.

[@corbinhbucknerjr558]

I found the only piece of all that equipment that was truly water proof was my steel pot. Everything else would leak; canteens, ponchos, rain gear, boots.

[@14arma]

Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed watching. When he was talking about the boots and specified how even navy corpsmen were issued them, I wish I was able to ask him if at that time the corpsmen were issued a different line of gear from most marines? From my time around 2006 (I think the last time I passed through CIF getting anything issued) I was issued the same line of cammies, boots, body armor, etc... as any other grunt. A lot of the stuff they want back when you EAS though, some clothes and boots not, but any CIF issued body armor (helmet included) had to go back, as well as things all sorts of stuff I never used and other things you wouldn't think they want back but they do like your fleece cap or repelling gloves (and they better be issued with the EGA in them, otherwise they wont take them and they will take it out of your last paycheck).... With all that being said though you do get to keep a lot of other stuff that may be battalion or company issued that was most of the time much better than what you would get from CIF. Also I'm not sure if in his day this was true, but a lot of the gear we would carry was personally bought (2 of my med-bags, a plate carrier, camel back, various pouches, etc..), That's cool he got to keep his poncho liner! Thanks again for sharing.

[@Bulldog3913]

Doc G Well Doc for the most part FMF Corpsman at the time were issued the same stuff as grunts, minus the rifle. they carried a Unit One with medical supplies and also carried a couple other bags. they wore the same uniform as the Marines but just without the E.G.A markings. Usually they ended up with that stuff anyway though. by appearance their wasnt any big difference between a doc and a Marine. Except for the Cadeuces and rank.

[@14arma]

Thanks for the reply! That sounds a lot like the way it was in my time in as well. Everything we got except for our 8 point covers came with the EGA if I remember correctly, and I do remember other docs with the 8 points with the EGA's that they had picked up at the PX after needing to replace their original (you could never find the ones without the EGA anywhere other than the PX near field med if I remember right.) During my time we did pull rifles from the armory though and were pretty much indistinguishable from other Marines in a patrol and were usually expected to function just as any other rifleman until someone needed motrin or a fresh pair of socks. I appreciate the response, and Im guessing you served in that time. If so, thank you & Semper Fi brother.

[@Bulldog3913]

Doc G Of course Doc! At the time the Corpsman were still falling under geneva code and as such were only allowed a handgun to defend their patient if needed. I personally did not serve during Vietnam, my father served just after as a corpsman and I spent alot of time studying the time. Thank you for your service doc. Semper Fi.

[@monroekelly9064]

Obviously this guy had one helluva statement of charges. Looks like he never cleared CIF!

[@tweezerjam]

Maybe he was injured you ungrateful pig.

[@johnpaulstez]

Haha! CIF......the most disgruntled civilians on Post! They used to screw up paperwork on purpose, I swear. You’d get the statement of charges, pull out your receipt and they screwed it up.

[@johnpaulstez]

@@tweezerjam it’s meant to be humor for people processing back after a deployment. If you saw how much you’d pay for that stuff these days you’d be shocked.

[@johnpaulstez]

@@tweezerjam it’s meant to be humor for people processing back after a deployment. If you saw how much you’d pay for that stuff these days you’d be shocked.

[@johnpaulstez]

@@tweezerjam it’s meant to be humor for people processing back after a deployment. If you saw how much you’d pay for that stuff these days you’d be shocked.

[@braddywarbucks]

Had the same web gear twenty years later.

[@gousmc1983]

Semper Fi brother and welcome home

[@qball6520]

Thank you for your service Sir.

[@rockstarJDP]

Is this the actual kit you fought in? If so, it's in remarkably good condition! Great video, thank you for sharing, and welcome home Marine.

[@alucardvanhellsing6805]

So they had woobies even in nam

[@coconut6468]

When you pulled on the web gear, I saw your back stiffen and shoulders roll back just ever so slightly. That's says something. Good video. Thank you. Yes, you fought a war the politicians and generals didn't want to win, but the attitude of the home front was even more appalling. That's all done now. I wish you peace and health.

[@patrickreilly2338]

Ponche don't go anywhere without that. This guys a STAR.

[@jonmcclane7433]

Thank You for your service, I could listen to you talk for hours.

[@WebGearReview]

Thank you for your service. That’s a very nice collection of the type of gear you used thanks for sharing. And welcome home.

[@Jude_1-3-Project]

Web Gear Review Don I will be showing all of my, Vietnam era gear very soon on my KZbin channel if you get a chance look in.

[@samuelestepp725]

That second flack jacket was to heavy to hump in the bush very few in my outfit used them ,the 4/2 mortor crews used them during fire missions

[@phapnui]

As a helicopter pilot we were issued the heavy "chicken plates" but few in my air cav unit wore them more than once. As a big guy, it was already a tight squeeze in the front seat of a Cobra.

[@ChristosParmakkis12]

With all due respect to this man I’m not sure whether his accent is Canadian or Italian New Yorker.

[@dougross101]

He's a Northwest Indiana person, right outside Chicago.