The NS Infantry Discussion Thread MkII*

[Anemos Major]

Use the Saudi mod of the Patria APC. Problem solved.

This, for the record, is essentially what Triggthiuda, my MT nation, uses.

(not Saudi, UAE)

[Imperializt Russia]

Use the Saudi mod of the Patria APC. Problem solved.

This, for the record, is essentially what Triggthiuda, my MT nation, uses.

(not Saudi, UAE)

Patria AMV with BMP-3 turret?
Sounds pretty damned sweet.

[Immoren]

(not Saudi, UAE)

Patria AMV with BMP-3 turret?
Sounds pretty damned sweet.

I am sort of dissapointed that our XA-360s are equipped only with rat guns. :/

[The New Lowlands]

Keeping combat loads within 23 kilos is hard. qq

Has anyone managed it (using MT)?

[Yukonastan]

Any of you people think it's a good idea to have a list of government approved side arms for soldiers to buy and use (as most soldiers aren't issued them)? So the military will supply ammo, and in some cases mags but not the gun. Or they could buy surplus pistols directly from the military.

What I do is I optionally issue one of three different sidearms, if the soldier in question wants one. It standardizes maintenance, and all three handguns fire the same cartridge, from the same standard magazine (I'm all for standardization). The sidearm is the soldier's, and he/she can keep it after his/her three years of service. And if the soldier doesn't want one, it isn't mandatory to buy.

[Bratislavskaya]

Any of you people think it's a good idea to have a list of government approved side arms for soldiers to buy and use (as most soldiers aren't issued them)? So the military will supply ammo, and in some cases mags but not the gun. Or they could buy surplus pistols directly from the military.

What I do is I optionally issue one of three different sidearms, if the soldier in question wants one. It standardizes maintenance, and all three handguns fire the same cartridge, from the same standard magazine (I'm all for standardization). The sidearm is the soldier's, and he/she can keep it after his/her three years of service. And if the soldier doesn't want one, it isn't mandatory to buy.

Sounds good. Maybe a range of Makarov styled pistols would suffice.

[Purpelia]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

[The Rising Sun Katana]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

Special Forces need to be able to reach into the golf bag and select just the right "club" for the job/occasion. Regular forces do not need this capability and can use standardized issue weapons.

[Sediczja]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

I never got it either. Do any actual militaries do it? I vaguely remember in the back of my head hearing it in an RL context but can't remember where.

[The Rising Sun Katana]

Any of you people think it's a good idea to have a list of government approved side arms for soldiers to buy and use (as most soldiers aren't issued them)? So the military will supply ammo, and in some cases mags but not the gun. Or they could buy surplus pistols directly from the military.

What I do is I optionally issue one of three different sidearms, if the soldier in question wants one. It standardizes maintenance, and all three handguns fire the same cartridge, from the same standard magazine (I'm all for standardization). The sidearm is the soldier's, and he/she can keep it after his/her three years of service. And if the soldier doesn't want one, it isn't mandatory to buy.

My military uses the Glock 21 SF and the smaller Glock 30 SF (for Officers), both of which will accept the larger 13 round high capacity magazine. Both weapons fire the .45 Auto (ACP) and we use 230gr Federal Hydra-Shoks for greater terminal effect. The Glock platform is a proven military sidearm and is in use by the militaries of over 40 Nations. Some prefer the Glock 17 (9mm) because a magazine with a plus-2 baseplate offers a capacity of 19 rounds per magazine.

[Bratislavskaya]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

Because the government doesn't have to buy it.

[Immoren]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

Because the government doesn't have to buy it.

For example:
Basically during the most of it's history after WWII larger part of snipers of FDF would've been armed with hunting rifles they owned before war.

[Bratislavskaya]

Question: Which is better for pistols, heel mag release (like a Makarov) or grip mag release (like a 1911)?

[The balkens]

Question: Which is better for pistols, heel mag release (like a Makarov) or grip mag release (like a 1911)?

I'd take the Colt any day of the week.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

Keeping combat loads within 23 kilos is hard. qq

Has anyone managed it (using MT)?

Camouflage uniform
Helmet (Night vision device, Flashlight, Infrared flag patch)
Undershirt
Undergarments
Socks
Boots
Gloves
Rigger belt
Infrared flag patch
Ranger Rack
-Front and rear plate carrier
-3 magazine pouches (2 magazines)
-100 oz hydration bladder
-First aid bag
-Utility knife/bayonet
-Admin pouch
-Stowed dump pouch
-Vertical general purpose utility pouch
2 day assault pack
-Rifle cleaning kit
-2 MRE
-Filtrarion bottle
-E tool
-Multi-tool
-Poncho Liner
-50 feet polyester rope
-Chemical light (2)

I feel I have. I've never bothered to do weights though.

[The Rising Sun Katana]

Question: Which is better for pistols, heel mag release (like a Makarov) or grip mag release (like a 1911)?

A grip mag release that is sturdy (will not dump the mag at the slightest bump) is best. Reference Glock pistols.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

Use the Saudi mod of the Patria APC. Problem solved.

This, for the record, is essentially what Triggthiuda, my MT nation, uses.

Nyet. Use the Czech package for those Pandur IIs. So sxc.

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

So, two questions I will try to not overstay my welcome.

One-What should a Combat Medic kit (EMT-B) compose of?

Tourniquet
Elastic bandage
Gauze wrap
Antiseptic Gauze pads
Gloves (Vinyl in a sealed condom-esque pouch)
Surgical tape
Larynxal breathing tube (whatever it's actually called)
Burn Dressing

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

So, looking through the article that Brit linked on wiki about British troop's equipment, and I spotted the L9-class bar mine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L9_Bar_Mine

Apparently, it's resistant to mine plows and can be used as a door breaching charge (and also a lot more efficient, as far fewer mines can be used to cover a minefield)
I'm intrigued. I assume that because of this it's a blast mine, rather than deploying some kind of HEAT or EFP payload. A cursory Google seems to state that bar-type mines fell out of favour since the Second World War and that the L9 may be one of the few designs still in service.

Thoughts? Seems like a handy thing to try and introduce as a general purpose weapon.

It looks pretty heavy for door breeching.

Dynamic entry.

[Yukonastan]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

Some soldiers don't want pistols. Some other soldiers want x type of pistol, while that unit over there wants its soldiers to be issued y type pistols, and then these soldiers here walk around with z type pistols.

The idea of choice of sidearm is mainly because I don't see the need to issue a service sidearm, yet I still want to issue a service sidearm. My idea: Make the soldier in question choose whether he spends a chunk of his paycheck on one of three standardized pistols, or whether he keeps that money back. The main reason for standardizing between 3 pistols is mainly to keep logistics simple. It's hard to supply parts for Glocks, Kimber 1911s, Caracal F types, Walthers, Lugers, FNH Five-seveNs et cetera et cetera et cetera ad infinitum. It's easier to supply parts for Glock 17s, Kimber 1911A3s, and FN Five-seveNs, as the logistics are greatly simplified by focusing on just those three specific handguns.

Also, as the handgun is privately owned after the soldier purchases it, he's able to take it with him once his service term is over, and keep it as a memento or for defense.

[Yukonastan]

It looks pretty heavy for door breeching.

Dynamic entry.

Dynamic entry or making door ways? Regarding the last few pages, where this was discussed I'd rather take the latter option of making the doorway.

Would it be useful to have cut-down blocks of the explosive used in these bar mines, specifically for mouseholing, then?

[Nirvash Type TheEND]

I newer did understand why anyone would feel the need to offer his troops a choice when it comes to equipment. What possible benefit could it have objectively compared to just having one government designed and issued model?

Some soldiers don't want pistols. Some other soldiers want x type of pistol, while that unit over there wants its soldiers to be issued y type pistols, and then these soldiers here walk around with z type pistols.

The idea of choice of sidearm is mainly because I don't see the need to issue a service sidearm, yet I still want to issue a service sidearm. My idea: Make the soldier in question choose whether he spends a chunk of his paycheck on one of three standardized pistols, or whether he keeps that money back. The main reason for standardizing between 3 pistols is mainly to keep logistics simple. It's hard to supply parts for Glocks, Kimber 1911s, Caracal F types, Walthers, Lugers, FNH Five-seveNs et cetera et cetera et cetera ad infinitum. It's easier to supply parts for Glock 17s, Kimber 1911A3s, and FN Five-seveNs, as the logistics are greatly simplified by focusing on just those three specific handguns.

Also, as the handgun is privately owned after the soldier purchases it, he's able to take it with him once his service term is over, and keep it as a memento or for defense.

That's actually like 6 steps back in the realm of logistics.

[Purpelia]

The cost angle almost makes sense. If we forget that the cost of a firearm really is not that high for a military to pay. As for this...

Some soldiers don't want pistols. Some other soldiers want x type of pistol, while that unit over there wants its soldiers to be issued y type pistols, and then these soldiers here walk around with z type pistols.

So? Why should the government care what the individual preferences of its soldiers are? By that logic you could just have everyone show up in what ever clothes they like and with what ever rifle they picked up on ebay.

Also, as the handgun is privately owned after the soldier purchases it, he's able to take it with him once his service term is over, and keep it as a memento or for defense.

This is another aspect of the whole thing that I do not understand. As far as I am concerned the soldier should be issued everything he needs but newer given anything. Hell, in peace time my troops even have to hand back the little cardboard drums that come with toilet paper rolls if they want to be issued a refill.

[Sevvania]

So? Why should the government care what the individual preferences of its soldiers are? By that logic you could just have everyone show up in what ever clothes they like and with what ever rifle they picked up on ebay.

A sidearm isn't a service rifle or a uniform. It's a backup that many people on this thread argue will probably rarely ever have to be used. If a soldier buys his own pistol, the government saves money. It'd probably be good to have a required caliber though, for sake of ammo commonality.

[Yukonastan]

So? Why should the government care what the individual preferences of its soldiers are? By that logic you could just have everyone show up in what ever clothes they like and with what ever rifle they picked up on ebay.

A sidearm isn't a service rifle or a uniform. It's a backup that many people on this thread argue will probably rarely ever have to be used. If a soldier buys his own pistol, the government saves money. It'd probably be good to have a required caliber though, for sake of ammo commonality.

This. This is the entire idea. The government provides the soldier with a short list of options, for the soldier to buy a government-approved sidearm if the soldier so desires. That way the soldier can choose whether to buy a sidearm during his service, or whether he frees up that weight for a couple of extra grenades or an extra magazine pouch for his battle rifle.

The idea of making sidearms optional and the requirement of wearing a sidearm at the unit CO's discretion is one mainly of practicality. As noted above, sidearms and their spare magazines do weigh a bit, and some soldiers would rather free up that weight and space and hang an extra magazine pouch right there. Giving them 54 extra rounds in a firefight.