AROTC Gear

JBfortunecookie1 said:
I heard the Garmont NFS version of that boot is pretty popular as well, although kinda pricey. Then again, they're a way better deal than the new crap Nike came up with.
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I viewed it as a personal investment. Better spend the money up front than later on for a better pair of boots or lots of foot treatment items to heal blisters.
 
ROTCMD25 said:
I'd just get a pair of lightweight boots. The ones they issued were too heavy when I was in. The best money spent was on boots. A good pair of Danner boots will be over $150 dollars to $350 or so. You don't need the most expensive yet.
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Agreed, I love my Danners. Don't buy the most expensive (yet). I learned as a young Infantry LT that having a great pair of boots were worth there weight in gold. Solid equipment is going to protect you, so choose wisely grasshopper. Don't get the flashy trendy crap, just good solid gear.
 
Ya just stick with boots. You dont wanna be "that guy" in rotc. You would also be confused with prior enlisted cadets and would have some explaining to do as to why you have a brand new ach and the other cdts in ur class are still wearing a kevlar from Vietnam
 
If u want rucking experience throw some rocks in an old school bag...works great
 
Not to mention the ACH was likely “acquired” out of normal supply channels.
 
rjb18 said:
If u want rucking experience throw some rocks in an old school bag...works great
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A plastic bag filled with sand and wrapped in duct tape works and gives you "granular" weight control. Thats what they used in my sons NROTC unit for pre-BUDS training.
 
TB_Rays said:
I viewed it as a personal investment. Better spend the money up front than later on for a better pair of boots or lots of foot treatment items to heal blisters.
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I might've misspoke. Apparently only the new Nike SFB boots are terrible; the "gen 1" actually seems to be loved by many. Looks like there aren't a lot of the gen 1's left on the market however.
 
JBfortunecookie1 said:
I might've misspoke. Apparently only the new Nike SFB boots are terrible; the "gen 1" actually seems to be loved by many. Looks like there aren't a lot of the gen 1's left on the market however.
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It's all personal preference. Some other brands like khyber that are widely loved by others were not for me. Whatever makes your feet happiest should be what you pick.
 
Buying boots is fine but you'll get those issued, if you don't want to wait until the Fall then I suggest you do get regulation boots to start rucking with. As for the other gear, a lot of people do buy their own once on active duty but it could become expensive at the moment. You may want to contact your ROTC program and see if they will issue you the gear for the summer.
 
Only 2 items, that if you really wanted to, you can purchase: boots and a watch. Honorable mention: gloves

Boots: If you do plan to get your own pair, I highly recommend you go to a shop that has them so you can try them on (just like all shoes really). At the VERY LEAST - if you must buy them online, ensure that that retailer allows returns for size exchanges. The last thing you want to have happen is order boots that turns out to not fit right to only realize they don't do returns (or they charge a fee for returns/exchanges). Boot sizes (just like sneakers) kinda very by manufacturer. You may be a Nike 9, but you could be a Rocky's 9.5. Speaking of which - there's 2 main kind of boots: you have your ultra light and minimalistic Nike boots and you have your heavy Rockys S2Vs. Nikes are great for rucking (since they are light) and garrison ... however extended or prolonged field time will quickly wear out your boots. Rockys are heavy, but super durable and last a long time with field use. Pros and cons.

Watches: If you don't have a watch - get one. You 100% need one, not only as a CDT, but also (and more importantly) as an Officer in the United States Army. Doesn't have to be anything super fancy or expensive; if you're short on funds your cheapo Walmart $20 special will do just fine as a CDT (until you actually have an income to get something a little more durable). As long as it tells the time and has a stopwatch and timer feature, you're good to go.

Gloves: I mention this, in part, dependent upon what program you go to --> specificaly what geographic region it's located in. If it gets cold in the winter, I'd recommend grabbing your own pair. The ones the Army will issue you are okay; they're bulky, but do get the job done. But you'll probably start hating yourself when you're running around in the woods during an FTX trying to plot points during land navigation with gloves that are big and bulky. Get whatever gloves you want so long as it's within regs.
 
rjb18 said:
Ya just stick with boots. You dont wanna be "that guy" in rotc. You would also be confused with prior enlisted cadets and would have some explaining to do as to why you have a brand new ach and the other cdts in ur class are still wearing a kevlar from Vietnam
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They had “steel pots” in Nam. We still had them in the 80’s until Kevlar helmets were issued.
Kevlar was harder to shave in.....lol
 
Thompson said:
Only 2 items, that if you really wanted to, you can purchase: boots and a watch. Honorable mention: gloves

Boots: If you do plan to get your own pair, I highly recommend you go to a shop that has them so you can try them on (just like all shoes really). At the VERY LEAST - if you must buy them online, ensure that that retailer allows returns for size exchanges. The last thing you want to have happen is order boots that turns out to not fit right to only realize they don't do returns (or they charge a fee for returns/exchanges). Boot sizes (just like sneakers) kinda very by manufacturer. You may be a Nike 9, but you could be a Rocky's 9.5. Speaking of which - there's 2 main kind of boots: you have your ultra light and minimalistic Nike boots and you have your heavy Rockys S2Vs. Nikes are great for rucking (since they are light) and garrison ... however extended or prolonged field time will quickly wear out your boots. Rockys are heavy, but super durable and last a long time with field use. Pros and cons.

Watches: If you don't have a watch - get one. You 100% need one, not only as a CDT, but also (and more importantly) as an Officer in the United States Army. Doesn't have to be anything super fancy or expensive; if you're short on funds your cheapo Walmart $20 special will do just fine as a CDT (until you actually have an income to get something a little more durable). As long as it tells the time and has a stopwatch and timer feature, you're good to go.

Gloves: I mention this, in part, dependent upon what program you go to --> specificaly what geographic region it's located in. If it gets cold in the winter, I'd recommend grabbing your own pair. The ones the Army will issue you are okay; they're bulky, but do get the job done. But you'll probably start hating yourself when you're running around in the woods during an FTX trying to plot points during land navigation with gloves that are big and bulky. Get whatever gloves you want so long as it's within regs.
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Amen on both the watch and the gloves. Boys use their smart phones to tell time, Army Officers wear a watch. Kind of hard to make your line of departure at 0430 when you don't have connectivity with your phone. Get a watch and start wearing, it is essential that you are on time every time - phones don't cut it.

Same for gloves. The issue gloves are OK - I still use my old black issue gloves for yard work, but get something that allows you to manipulate a compass or weapon easily while giving you some protection from the elements.
 
Thompson said:
Only 2 items, that if you really wanted to, you can purchase: boots and a watch. Honorable mention: gloves

Boots: If you do plan to get your own pair, I highly recommend you go to a shop that has them so you can try them on (just like all shoes really). At the VERY LEAST - if you must buy them online, ensure that that retailer allows returns for size exchanges. The last thing you want to have happen is order boots that turns out to not fit right to only realize they don't do returns (or they charge a fee for returns/exchanges). Boot sizes (just like sneakers) kinda very by manufacturer. You may be a Nike 9, but you could be a Rocky's 9.5. Speaking of which - there's 2 main kind of boots: you have your ultra light and minimalistic Nike boots and you have your heavy Rockys S2Vs. Nikes are great for rucking (since they are light) and garrison ... however extended or prolonged field time will quickly wear out your boots. Rockys are heavy, but super durable and last a long time with field use. Pros and cons.

Watches: If you don't have a watch - get one. You 100% need one, not only as a CDT, but also (and more importantly) as an Officer in the United States Army. Doesn't have to be anything super fancy or expensive; if you're short on funds your cheapo Walmart $20 special will do just fine as a CDT (until you actually have an income to get something a little more durable). As long as it tells the time and has a stopwatch and timer feature, you're good to go.

Gloves: I mention this, in part, dependent upon what program you go to --> specificaly what geographic region it's located in. If it gets cold in the winter, I'd recommend grabbing your own pair. The ones the Army will issue you are okay; they're bulky, but do get the job done. But you'll probably start hating yourself when you're running around in the woods during an FTX trying to plot points during land navigation with gloves that are big and bulky. Get whatever gloves you want so long as it's within regs.
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Brotherram said:
Amen on both the watch and the gloves. Boys use their smart phones to tell time, Army Officers wear a watch. Kind of hard to make your line of departure at 0430 when you don't have connectivity with your phone. Get a watch and start wearing, it is essential that you are on time every time - phones don't cut it.

Same for gloves. The issue gloves are OK - I still use my old black issue gloves for yard work, but get something that allows you to manipulate a compass or weapon easily while giving you some protection from the elements.
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Any suggestions on gloves? Looking to buy a pair for my DS, going to Norwich on a ROTC scholarship. It gets cold in Vermont.
 
ProudRIDad said:
Any suggestions on gloves? Looking to buy a pair for my DS, going to Norwich on a ROTC scholarship. It gets cold in Vermont.
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This is what I wear. Good dexterity, wind resistant, and touch screen compatible.

www.skdtac.com

PIG (FDT) Cold Weather Glove

PIG Full Dexterity Tactical (FDT) Cold Weather Glove
www.skdtac.com www.skdtac.com

I think he'll really get a kick out of these if you get this for him.
 
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