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XO's CORNER

 

XO's CORNER:

TIPS FOR THE NEW RECRUIT

  • The M-1938 canvas leggings are worn over low-quarter and roughout boots, with the laces out and metal buckle forward of your heel. Once applied, the hooks should be facing back, with the eyelets forward towards the toe. If worn incorrectly the hooks will get caught on vegetation, or, if worn on the inside of the calf rather than the outside, they will get caught on each other, resulting in the wearing falling on his face. Remember: Laces out, hooks back, buckles forward. The M-1938 canvas leggings are used only with the low-quarter boots or rough-out boots. However, rangers of the 5th Ranger Battalion wore jump boots rather than the leggings and low-quarter boots 9 out of 10 times. When the leggings were worn (mainly during training and maneuvers) they were typically of the cut-down type. The top 4 or so inches of the legging were sheared off to facilitate ease of marching. It is entirely acceptable to do so to a set of your leggings for use.
  • Use ammunition from your bandoleer(s) first, then your cartridge belt; working from the back rearmost pockets to the front pockets. If you are carrying additional ammo or bandoleers in your pack or a GP bag, use it prior to your cartridge belt and replace empty bandoleers with full ones from your pack. Doing so will ensure that your ammo load is spread evenly and allow quicker access to ammo if were to start running out in a fight. That means a faster reload time as the action gets closer; in theory.
  • When using an M-1923 cartridge belt, use spacers to raise the level of blank rounds to that of live rounds. Live rounds (which the belt was designed for) are longer than blanks; so blanks will sit lower in the belt naturally. Spacers will make them much easier to access. A how-to detailing the process can be found here.
  • Do not "double-button" ammo into the M-1923 cartridge belt. If your cartridge belt has an inner web strap and snap, button it prior to inserting en-bloc clips for the M1. The inner strap is for securing 5 round stripper clips for the M1917, M1903 or M1903A3 rifles.
  • When using an M1 Garand Rifle with M-1943 canvas sling, remove the rear sling clip from the canvas sling where it attaches to the rear sling swivel and loop the sling directly thru the rear swivel. This will eliminate the rattle and lower the risk of exposing your position due to unwanted noise. This was a common field practice among Rangers.
  • Carry your cleaning kit in an appropriate position. For the M1 Garand, in the butt of the stock or for the M1 Carbine, in your pack or pocket. Know where it is and be able to get at it when needed, along with all blank adaptor (BFA) specific tools.
  • Dehydration is a solider's worst enemy. Get a clean, serviceable canteen and fill it up prior to action and drink often, even in cold weather and especially at hot or prolonged events.
  • Keep your eyes looking to the front. Anticipate the point of contact and scan the horizon for the enemy at all times. Do not let your guard down. If you see an enemy soldier and they do not see you; line them up in your sights and make it known to your squad leader that you have made contact and in what direction if they cannot tell from their position. Use hand signals so as to conceal your position with noise discipline.
  • Do not fix your web M1 helmet chin strap in combat. Leave it clasped behind your pot. Getting your steel caught on a limb or taking a hit and having your helmet try to snap your head off when you fall is no good.
  • Feet, hands, neck, balls; a pair of socks wraps them all. Pack at least one extra pair of dry socks in your kit regardless of how long you expect to be in the field. Change out of wet socks into dry ones at the first opportunity; dry the wet ones around your neck.
  • Break your new boots in prior to the day of the event. Don't wait till you're in the field to get blisters from humping your gear 2 or 3 clicks up a 80 degree incline.
  • When wearing Jump Boots skip the third or fourth pair of lace eyelets (depending on the boot size) when lacing up your boots. This will allow the leather to bend outward rather than back into the tongue of the boot and into your foot when stepping forward.
  • Dont eat your invasion gas mask bag and attack the camera. It probably wouldnt taste that good anyway...

 

 

Special thanks to Jerry Styles, Tim & Lisa Torey, West Robeson, and Tom Frost for their contributions contained within this website.
Contact our Battalion CO Tim Torey or Lisa Torey for 5th RIB R.S. Inc. Information
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RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!