Streamline your kit and don’t be that guy with the floppy leg holster, soon to lose his pistol when he really has to run for it!
Why wouldn’t you want a streamlined kit? Sure, cover the vital body parts of the head and torso. However, don’t become a Kevlar turtle because mobility and speed are extremely critical in a gunfight without even getting into marksmanship capabilities. For what’s at stake, you would think that everybody wants a lighter and more streamlined kit. If it’s not the heavier weight slowing you down and humbling you or adding more wear and tear to the body, I t’s that there is always something to climb over in an urban environment. I’ve been told that around 80% of the world’s population lives around the urban environment. During my time as a sniper, weight became a high consideration due to climbing into position before the assault, which meant roof tops most of the time. I’ve been on dozens of roof tops in Baghdad alone. Even as an Assault Team Leader, every suspect had a wall or fence to climb over.
I like seeing that Bravo Company Manufacturing & Blue Force Gear have done their research, with hands on experienced personnel helping design gear for the current day battlefield that keep our operators on the leading edge of kit. Several colors and options help modify to your own specific needs and easily changed out to meet the next mission requirements.
If I was putting my kit on with the chance of a gun fight, I’d consider taking kit off my legs and wear a drop holster on my belt. Before going out on a mission after modifying your kit, you should always test it by jumping up and down, running and not just jogging, but like your life depended on it. If you’re a garage sale afterward, then adjust as necessary.
Respectfully, Daryl Holland
Daryl Holland is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with over 20 years of active duty experience, 17 of those years in Special Operations. Five years with the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and 12 years in the 1st SFOD-Delta serving as an Assaulter, Sniper, Team Leader, and OTC Instructor.
He has conducted several hundred combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Philippines, and the Mexican Border. He has conducted combat missions in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Mountains as a Sniper and experienced Mountaineer to the streets of Baghdad as an Assault Team Leader.
He has a strong instructor background started as an OTC instructor and since retiring training law abiding civilians, Law Enforcement, U.S. Military, and foreign U.S. allied Special Operations personnel from around the world.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn, they offer some words of wisdom.
Side plates? Yay or nay?
Depends on your Mission.
I’d agree with Felix. In Afghanistan I dropped my side plates due to what I felt was a need for mobility. If that mobility isn’t the case, I’d stick with them. I have no idea your situation and needs, but my thought process was based off of needing to carry out operations for many hours every single day, with loads of gear. If you don’t fall under that, side plates may not be a bad idea.
Excellent point. What’s your preference for your drop holster on the belt?
Thanks.
I recommend side plates if you’re going to be engaged in any kind of urban/cqb environments. This is due to the high likelihood of being engaged from the lateral threats while moving through the operating environment or when entering and clearing structures.
I dislike drop holsters (sit in a vehicle, clear a house, or do some LRRP’s with one and you’ll see why). The only caveat to this is the Safariland drop flex adapter with a single strap leg shroud modified with the G-code belt adapter and holster series. G code makes some great kit with a lot of modularity that you can adapt to varying mission requirements.
Great post, less is more.
I’m a geardo but when I find myself getting carried away with kit I like to remember my Grandfather who managed to get through WWII with a Tommy gun, great coat and 37 patt webbing.