Hey All,
I know there was a thread earlier asking what exactly to expect for issue, but here is currently what people are getting as well as what's happening for those who don't get all their crap. The API XO taught us FR&R last week so we heard it straight from the horses mouth.
Just hoping to dispel any rumors that might be going around in the A-pool right now with some "hopefully" good gouge.
What your Natops Jacket says you're "supposed" to get:
2 Pairs of Boots
4 Flightsuits
Helmet/Mike/etc
2 Pairs of Gloves
Sunglasses
1 Green Summer Weight Jacket (CWU-36/P)
1 Leather Jacket
1 Helmet Bag
1 Parachute Bag
1 Kneeboard
1 Logbook
1 Natops Jacket/Folder
What you'll actually get:
2 Pairs of Boots (Some only got one, they were running low on 9, 9 1/2)
2 Flight Suits (if you're lucky, half my class didn't get any, unless your 42R and below or 48R and above, a few got tans in the hard to get range, most only got 1 if any at all)
2 Pairs of Gloves
1 Green Jacket
1 Helmet Bag
1 Log Book
1 Natops Jacket
Flight Suits - the manufacturers are completely out of material, the tank drivers in Iraq are actually getting flight suits b/c they are out of tankers suits, that's how bad it's getting. They say that there should be more in mid to late November for issue but don't hold your breath for it.
Helmets - if you're going to Whiting you'll be getting a helmet once you show up at Primary, and it'll likely be a modified helo helmet. Going to Vance or Corpus you should get one when you finish API, that's straight from the guys at gear issue.
Leather jackets - if you wear a 40 or smaller or a 50 or bigger you'll get it, otherwise they are completely out. Apparently the manufacturer had a contract for 4000, made them for the Navy, then went bankrupt! So, the current supply ran out and right now there is no manufacturer lined up to make more, although they are definitely trying to find one. The joke is that you'll get it when you retire!
Kneeboard/parachute bags/sunglasses - they were out when I got my stuff but the guy said that it should all be in this week sometime. We'll see... As for a kneeboard, I heard that it's better to get a 9G+ from Wings anyways, apparently the issue one sucks?
The big thing is DO NOT go out and buy a flight suit from a surplus store, etc, b/c they aren't authorized, something to do with the inncorrect amount of Nomex flame retardent as well as not being able to verify the integrity of Nomex in the suits. Also, old DRMO'ed suits are a no-go as well (some people may have scrounged one on Middie cruises, etc).
Also, right now flight suits are no longer worn during week 4, it used to be that it started on that first Monday, but now it's not till the first Monday of week 5. If you don't have a flight suit on week 5 then you either wear cammies if you have them or stripped down khaki's (no ribbons/nametag, just rank...essentially wash khakis).
Hope that helps and hope that gets rid of any rumors. I mainly wanted to put that out b/c I overheard some guys in the pool right now talking about going out and buying their own flight suits and other stuff but it turns out some of that might not be authorized.
The gist is it helps to be either really small or really big (like me, I got everything, even a leather jacket, and they are currently molding me my own flight helmet b/c my head is too big for the XL!
) Otherwise, don't expect to get too much stuff.
I know there was a thread earlier asking what exactly to expect for issue, but here is currently what people are getting as well as what's happening for those who don't get all their crap. The API XO taught us FR&R last week so we heard it straight from the horses mouth.
Just hoping to dispel any rumors that might be going around in the A-pool right now with some "hopefully" good gouge.
What your Natops Jacket says you're "supposed" to get:
2 Pairs of Boots
4 Flightsuits
Helmet/Mike/etc
2 Pairs of Gloves
Sunglasses
1 Green Summer Weight Jacket (CWU-36/P)
1 Leather Jacket
1 Helmet Bag
1 Parachute Bag
1 Kneeboard
1 Logbook
1 Natops Jacket/Folder
What you'll actually get:
2 Pairs of Boots (Some only got one, they were running low on 9, 9 1/2)
2 Flight Suits (if you're lucky, half my class didn't get any, unless your 42R and below or 48R and above, a few got tans in the hard to get range, most only got 1 if any at all)
2 Pairs of Gloves
1 Green Jacket
1 Helmet Bag
1 Log Book
1 Natops Jacket
Flight Suits - the manufacturers are completely out of material, the tank drivers in Iraq are actually getting flight suits b/c they are out of tankers suits, that's how bad it's getting. They say that there should be more in mid to late November for issue but don't hold your breath for it.
Helmets - if you're going to Whiting you'll be getting a helmet once you show up at Primary, and it'll likely be a modified helo helmet. Going to Vance or Corpus you should get one when you finish API, that's straight from the guys at gear issue.
Leather jackets - if you wear a 40 or smaller or a 50 or bigger you'll get it, otherwise they are completely out. Apparently the manufacturer had a contract for 4000, made them for the Navy, then went bankrupt! So, the current supply ran out and right now there is no manufacturer lined up to make more, although they are definitely trying to find one. The joke is that you'll get it when you retire!
Kneeboard/parachute bags/sunglasses - they were out when I got my stuff but the guy said that it should all be in this week sometime. We'll see... As for a kneeboard, I heard that it's better to get a 9G+ from Wings anyways, apparently the issue one sucks?
The big thing is DO NOT go out and buy a flight suit from a surplus store, etc, b/c they aren't authorized, something to do with the inncorrect amount of Nomex flame retardent as well as not being able to verify the integrity of Nomex in the suits. Also, old DRMO'ed suits are a no-go as well (some people may have scrounged one on Middie cruises, etc).
Also, right now flight suits are no longer worn during week 4, it used to be that it started on that first Monday, but now it's not till the first Monday of week 5. If you don't have a flight suit on week 5 then you either wear cammies if you have them or stripped down khaki's (no ribbons/nametag, just rank...essentially wash khakis).
Hope that helps and hope that gets rid of any rumors. I mainly wanted to put that out b/c I overheard some guys in the pool right now talking about going out and buying their own flight suits and other stuff but it turns out some of that might not be authorized.
The gist is it helps to be either really small or really big (like me, I got everything, even a leather jacket, and they are currently molding me my own flight helmet b/c my head is too big for the XL!
) Otherwise, don't expect to get too much stuff.
