Recently, Chosen Company received equipment through the Army Rapid
Fielding Initiative (RFI). The purpose of this program is to take
the suggestions of soldiers in combat zones, and quickly apply them
in an attempt to give the soldiers better equipment as soon as possible.
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The first item is the Advanced Tactical
Combat Helmet, affectionately known as the “Mitch” helmet.
This helmet provides a number of improvements over the older ballistic
helmet. From the outside, you can see that the helmet has been shortened
on the sides to better allow the soldier to hear the sounds around
him. On the inside, the old suspension webbing has been replaced
with an adjustable padding system, allowing the soldier to customize
it to his needs. The newer 4-point chin strap system replaces the
older 2 point system, making the helmet readily useable without
the addition of parachutist retention straps or a pad for the crown
of the head. A final addition is the goggle retention straps to
provide better retention of the soldier’s goggles.
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The next items are the hot and cold weather boots, made by Belleville.
The hot weather boots (left) have a design similar to jungle boots
and the original issue desert boots, using a canvas outer around
the upper ankle for ventilation.
The cold weather boots utilize a Gore-Tex lining to provide protection
in low temperatures, without significantly increasing the weight
or water retention of the boots. Both boots utilize Vibram soles
to provide better comfort and shock absorption for the soldiers.
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The assault pack provides the soldier to
carry a lighter, mission specific load, increasing his mobility
while lightening the individual soldier load. Numerous outer cinch
straps allow the soldier lower the amount of free space in the pack
and prevent unnecessary shifting of weight and equipment.
The Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment, called the “MOLLE”,
serves as a replacement to the older Load Carrying Equipment. The
first piece is the Fighting Load Carrier (vest), which has loops
all along it to allow the soldier to customize the emplacement of
pouches so that he can be most effective. Also pictured with the
vest is the waist pack, which allows the soldier to carry and store
items.
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The pouches each have integrated attaching loops to allow easy attachment
to the MOLLE vest. Clockwise from the top left are the 2 canteen
holders, 2 grenade pouches, 6 magazine bandoleer, and 3 two-magazine
pouches.
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Knee and elbow pads have been issued to protect the soldier from
the everyday wear and tear that combat operations place on their
body, especially in urban operations.
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Soldiers received cold weather
gloves that allow for better finger dexterity than the older versions. |
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Wiley X SG-1 goggles and replacement lenses are provided as a form
of ballistic eye protection as well as protection from the sun while
in the desert environment. Each lens had a padding system that allows
the individual soldier to customize them to provide maximum ventilation
to prevent fogging, while still sealing off the eye from environmental
hazards.
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