09-10-2008, 08:48 PM
I'm writing this thread to help others who have kindly taken interest in this style of kit and I hope this gives some good ideas/inspiration for you to do your own.
This is very generic, my one motto of this loadout would be HAVE IT YOUR WAY. This means you don’t copy what you see in a photo, but instead personalize your kit to your needs. This will create the best looking impression.
USMC Infantry: 2004-Present (OIF)
There are certain elements to a USMC impression that will either make it or break it. The key is studying what the real guys wear, and interpreting it how you want.
Do not try to create this impression if you have no interest in the kit and/or are not prepared to shell out a bit for it.
THIS IS OFTEN NOT A CHEAP IMPRESSION
and by cutting back, the look will only be hampered and thus be a waste of time.
However, I have some short cuts to save cash that will be shown later
Headgear:
Marine infantrymen do not wear boonie hats on Ops. The current protection is from the LWH (Light Weight Helmet) made by Gentex. These are rare and expensive and furthermore, not that lightweight. So there is a sneaky way around it (see bottom). You will need a helmet cover as only recruits have bare helmets. This is the one time you can buy a cheap replica, as long as you batter the hell out of it, getting it torn and dirty. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bse
You can just use a replica PASGT and update the chin strap to 4point.
You need some sort of NVG mount on the helmet, either the full rhino horn and retention strap, or just the plate http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bqa . Its totally your call. Its unlikely that youll use it, but it looks good, and that why we are doing this!
Goggles are not necessary. If you do want them you can use anything you want, ESS http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bvj , Oakley http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/asd ,Uvex anything at all. A dust cover would be best if you do choose this.
Boonie hats can be worn for woodland Ops however http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/abt . They are often very worn and faded, to create this rub the hat in mud and on the pavement/patio. The best result is from charcoal dust after a BBQ. It dulls the camo and makes it look very real. Try cutting the rim away as well, only 1cm or so, in order to fray and destroy it. It will look awesome, and break away from a clean and neat weekend warrior look!
Shemag. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/atm Often the guys wear shemags on dessy Ops, but not so much on green side. Use a beige/sand shemag for the best effect, however black/white and red/white still look good.
BDU:
Shirt:
The current uniform is MARPAT. Getting this right will either make or break the loadout. DO NOT BUY THE CHEAP REPLICA KIT. I don’t care what people say, you can tell the difference. If you get shitty cheap stuff, it will stand out and make your loadout look crap. EBay.com is the best bet for this stuff.
If you want it looking real, get some black Velcro and sew the female side onto the shoulder pocket tabs. These are for IR tabs. You don’t need the IR if you don’t want, just the Velcro. It shows you have spent time on your kit and its small differences like this that makes the kit look good.
USMC infantry do not have insignia of any kind on their shirts, don't go sewing rank or div patches cos they don’t have them!
Roll the sleeves up or down, up to you. Despite what people say, there are not regulations about this kinda stuff when out on patrol.
Trousers:
I suggest you don’t wear knee pads, they are restrictive and bunch up the trousers, resulting in a wedgie at the end of the day. Get some role mat, cut it into an A5 size rectangle and slot it into the trousers. There are foam insert pockets inside the trousers, and are there for comfort and ease of use.
You can wear a regular riggers belt, black, sand, brown, OD. It is up to you weather you tuck the shirt in or not.
Blouse your trousers if possible, but its not vital. Half way through the day, I bet you the trousers will come undone. No one will criticize you for it, it cant be helped. Tuck them into the boots using a trousers tie/rubber band is pos.
T-shirts:
USMC wear green t-shirts NOT brown. The US Army wear brown t-shirts and USMC have OD. Just a regular OD t-shirt from a surplus store or Primark will work. You can wear underarmor shirts if you want, although they aren’t really allowed in the corps in real life – but that is nitty gritty shit that doesn’t matter.
No logo t-shirt. There are some OD tops with USMC printed on it, leave them at home. Just plain OD is best.
Boots:
USMC use coyote brown boots. You can use the issued Bates boots as well as Magnum Amazons or Bellevilles. Try not to use sand coloured boots, like the British ones as there is a difference between Coyote Brown and Sand.
Gloves:
Some guys use gloves, some don’t. Its your call. If you do, try use Nomex flight gloves, either OD, Brown, Sand or Black. They often roll up just the end part of the glove for comfort and to get the flappy part out of the way.
Armor/Webbing:
All USMC personal are issued body armor. The current stuff is either the Interceptor Armor or the MTV. Its best to use Coyote Brown armor, however some guys still have the old school woodland IBAs. (OTV left, MTV right http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/akh )
Try get the full OTV set, including the neck guard and cock knocker. Try not use an SDS shell as you will NEVER EVER see a marine without the accessories on the armor. They are hard to come by, but you can always use the woodland parts on a coyote vest.
TIP: It looks good to sew you surname tape on the front of the IBA. Get them in desert sand or dessy MARPAT don’t use woodland/OD ones. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/abw
One can wear webbing over the top, an FLC (Fighting Load Carrier) or attach pouches straight to the OTV as it is MOLLE compatible.
Try to keep pouches to a minimum, its not a competition to see how many Velcro patches and pouches you can fit, the less the better. Most infantry just have 1-2 ammo pouches, water bottle and IFAK. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bnx
The IFAK (Improvised First Aid Kit) is VITAL. Everyone has one and you defiantly must have at least one. http://www.us-elitegear.com/images/IFAK.jpg
TIP: It looks great if you write your surname on the pouch with your blood type.
You can use either Coyote Brown or woodland pouches, stay away from MARPAT camo pouches or black, they just not used. http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d170/s...CN2934.jpg
ID Velcro panels are rare as, so try not use them. USMC don’t pratt around with funny moral patches like ‘’MILF hunter’’ so try not to.
PMR radio’s are carried by most guys as only Bowman radios are issued to NCO’s and officers. Just a regular cobra radio clipped to your molle chest panel will be good.
Backpacks:
You can wear a backpack if you want, but they aren’t necessary. Keep kit lightweight and easy to move in.
ILBE’s are issued packs, http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/bgg but so hard to find and very expensive.
You can use Eagle 3Day packs or anything else that is coyote really.
Camelbacks are nearly always worn, either woodland, OD or coyote ones. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/atm
Weapons:
Nearly all grunts will have an ACOG on top of their rifle, the one with the red tube running across the top. (G&P make a replica) http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bdj
Main rifle used by the corps is the FN M16A4. Its an M16 with RIS in the front section. G&G and CA make a replica of this. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/brr
Also the M4A1 is used, again with ACOG. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bbi
M249 with retractable stock/solid stock is the support weapon of the corps, used on patrols due to its maneuverability (A&K make a replica) http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bgi
Rocket launchers, pistols, M203’s and shotguns are also used, but that is more specific roles, which you can look into if you would like.
Do's and don'ts of the impression:
DON’T wear knee pads for woodland
DON’T have thousands of glow stick hanging from your hip
DON’T wear insignia on your arm
DON’T use replica MARPAT, it looks really bad
DON’T cam up your whole face and forget the back of your neck/ears!
Get kit dirty, don’t wash it unless you have to. Really fuck up your helmet in order to make it look real. If there is one piece of kit which should be most worn or tatty is the helmet cover.
Keep pouches to a min, only have water, ammo and first aid – get rid of GP pouches, mars bar pouches and thousands of pistol pouches!
Have fun with it, put what you want into this but use these tips as guidelines.
Try not to ask their opinion, cos that’s what you’ll get, THEIR OPINION which wont work for you. You need what you need, so trust your instinct
This is very generic, my one motto of this loadout would be HAVE IT YOUR WAY. This means you don’t copy what you see in a photo, but instead personalize your kit to your needs. This will create the best looking impression.
USMC Infantry: 2004-Present (OIF)
There are certain elements to a USMC impression that will either make it or break it. The key is studying what the real guys wear, and interpreting it how you want.
Do not try to create this impression if you have no interest in the kit and/or are not prepared to shell out a bit for it.
THIS IS OFTEN NOT A CHEAP IMPRESSION
and by cutting back, the look will only be hampered and thus be a waste of time.
However, I have some short cuts to save cash that will be shown later
Headgear:
Marine infantrymen do not wear boonie hats on Ops. The current protection is from the LWH (Light Weight Helmet) made by Gentex. These are rare and expensive and furthermore, not that lightweight. So there is a sneaky way around it (see bottom). You will need a helmet cover as only recruits have bare helmets. This is the one time you can buy a cheap replica, as long as you batter the hell out of it, getting it torn and dirty. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bse
You can just use a replica PASGT and update the chin strap to 4point.
You need some sort of NVG mount on the helmet, either the full rhino horn and retention strap, or just the plate http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bqa . Its totally your call. Its unlikely that youll use it, but it looks good, and that why we are doing this!
Goggles are not necessary. If you do want them you can use anything you want, ESS http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bvj , Oakley http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/asd ,Uvex anything at all. A dust cover would be best if you do choose this.
Boonie hats can be worn for woodland Ops however http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/abt . They are often very worn and faded, to create this rub the hat in mud and on the pavement/patio. The best result is from charcoal dust after a BBQ. It dulls the camo and makes it look very real. Try cutting the rim away as well, only 1cm or so, in order to fray and destroy it. It will look awesome, and break away from a clean and neat weekend warrior look!
Shemag. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/atm Often the guys wear shemags on dessy Ops, but not so much on green side. Use a beige/sand shemag for the best effect, however black/white and red/white still look good.
BDU:
Shirt:
The current uniform is MARPAT. Getting this right will either make or break the loadout. DO NOT BUY THE CHEAP REPLICA KIT. I don’t care what people say, you can tell the difference. If you get shitty cheap stuff, it will stand out and make your loadout look crap. EBay.com is the best bet for this stuff.
If you want it looking real, get some black Velcro and sew the female side onto the shoulder pocket tabs. These are for IR tabs. You don’t need the IR if you don’t want, just the Velcro. It shows you have spent time on your kit and its small differences like this that makes the kit look good.
USMC infantry do not have insignia of any kind on their shirts, don't go sewing rank or div patches cos they don’t have them!
Roll the sleeves up or down, up to you. Despite what people say, there are not regulations about this kinda stuff when out on patrol.
Trousers:
I suggest you don’t wear knee pads, they are restrictive and bunch up the trousers, resulting in a wedgie at the end of the day. Get some role mat, cut it into an A5 size rectangle and slot it into the trousers. There are foam insert pockets inside the trousers, and are there for comfort and ease of use.
You can wear a regular riggers belt, black, sand, brown, OD. It is up to you weather you tuck the shirt in or not.
Blouse your trousers if possible, but its not vital. Half way through the day, I bet you the trousers will come undone. No one will criticize you for it, it cant be helped. Tuck them into the boots using a trousers tie/rubber band is pos.
T-shirts:
USMC wear green t-shirts NOT brown. The US Army wear brown t-shirts and USMC have OD. Just a regular OD t-shirt from a surplus store or Primark will work. You can wear underarmor shirts if you want, although they aren’t really allowed in the corps in real life – but that is nitty gritty shit that doesn’t matter.
No logo t-shirt. There are some OD tops with USMC printed on it, leave them at home. Just plain OD is best.
Boots:
USMC use coyote brown boots. You can use the issued Bates boots as well as Magnum Amazons or Bellevilles. Try not to use sand coloured boots, like the British ones as there is a difference between Coyote Brown and Sand.
Gloves:
Some guys use gloves, some don’t. Its your call. If you do, try use Nomex flight gloves, either OD, Brown, Sand or Black. They often roll up just the end part of the glove for comfort and to get the flappy part out of the way.
Armor/Webbing:
All USMC personal are issued body armor. The current stuff is either the Interceptor Armor or the MTV. Its best to use Coyote Brown armor, however some guys still have the old school woodland IBAs. (OTV left, MTV right http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/akh )
Try get the full OTV set, including the neck guard and cock knocker. Try not use an SDS shell as you will NEVER EVER see a marine without the accessories on the armor. They are hard to come by, but you can always use the woodland parts on a coyote vest.
TIP: It looks good to sew you surname tape on the front of the IBA. Get them in desert sand or dessy MARPAT don’t use woodland/OD ones. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/abw
One can wear webbing over the top, an FLC (Fighting Load Carrier) or attach pouches straight to the OTV as it is MOLLE compatible.
Try to keep pouches to a minimum, its not a competition to see how many Velcro patches and pouches you can fit, the less the better. Most infantry just have 1-2 ammo pouches, water bottle and IFAK. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bnx
The IFAK (Improvised First Aid Kit) is VITAL. Everyone has one and you defiantly must have at least one. http://www.us-elitegear.com/images/IFAK.jpg
TIP: It looks great if you write your surname on the pouch with your blood type.
You can use either Coyote Brown or woodland pouches, stay away from MARPAT camo pouches or black, they just not used. http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d170/s...CN2934.jpg
ID Velcro panels are rare as, so try not use them. USMC don’t pratt around with funny moral patches like ‘’MILF hunter’’ so try not to.
PMR radio’s are carried by most guys as only Bowman radios are issued to NCO’s and officers. Just a regular cobra radio clipped to your molle chest panel will be good.
Backpacks:
You can wear a backpack if you want, but they aren’t necessary. Keep kit lightweight and easy to move in.
ILBE’s are issued packs, http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/bgg but so hard to find and very expensive.
You can use Eagle 3Day packs or anything else that is coyote really.
Camelbacks are nearly always worn, either woodland, OD or coyote ones. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album216/atm
Weapons:
Nearly all grunts will have an ACOG on top of their rifle, the one with the red tube running across the top. (G&P make a replica) http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bdj
Main rifle used by the corps is the FN M16A4. Its an M16 with RIS in the front section. G&G and CA make a replica of this. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/brr
Also the M4A1 is used, again with ACOG. http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bbi
M249 with retractable stock/solid stock is the support weapon of the corps, used on patrols due to its maneuverability (A&K make a replica) http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/ratamacue01/bgi
Rocket launchers, pistols, M203’s and shotguns are also used, but that is more specific roles, which you can look into if you would like.
Do's and don'ts of the impression:
DON’T wear knee pads for woodland
DON’T have thousands of glow stick hanging from your hip
DON’T wear insignia on your arm
DON’T use replica MARPAT, it looks really bad
DON’T cam up your whole face and forget the back of your neck/ears!
Get kit dirty, don’t wash it unless you have to. Really fuck up your helmet in order to make it look real. If there is one piece of kit which should be most worn or tatty is the helmet cover.
Keep pouches to a min, only have water, ammo and first aid – get rid of GP pouches, mars bar pouches and thousands of pistol pouches!
Have fun with it, put what you want into this but use these tips as guidelines.
Try not to ask their opinion, cos that’s what you’ll get, THEIR OPINION which wont work for you. You need what you need, so trust your instinct