Recruits Get New Enhanced Personal Equipment
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Since the beginning of this year, all Army recruits have been issued new and enhanced personal equipment that will help them meet the operational demands of the Army today.
The new equipment includes a Load Bearing Vest (LBV) which replaces the traditional webbing, a larger field pack, a new torch light and a multi-function knife.
Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Kong Kam Yean, Head Plans of 9th Singapore Division/Infantry, explained that the introduction of the enhanced personal equipment was part of the Army's effort to transform into the third-generation fighting force.
"The third-generation soldier is required to meet varied operational profiles," said LTC Kong. "And he needs to be flexible in his use of equipment according to what the mission demands of him."
A team of senior Warrant Officers and Specialists was responsible for coming up with the design and new features of the enhanced equipment.
At the initial stage, the team, known as the Infantry Personal Equipment Experts (INPEX), asked themselves what they would like to see in the new equipment. After a prototype was produced, the equipment was issued to an Army battalion for the soldiers to test and use.
From the feedback received, further enhancements were made and the equipment was then given to another Army battalion for testing.
This process was repeated about seven times with different formations of the Army.
In the end, the new and enhanced personal equipment like the LBV was finalised and issued to recruits for their Basic Military Training.
The LBV offers a lot of flexibility to the soldiers. Unlike the previous webbing, which consists of a fixed number of pouches and thin shoulder straps, the LBV allows soldiers to customise the pouches that they want to carry.
This is done through the use of a unique Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system. Using the MOLLE system, soldiers can choose the number of pouches that they wish to use and attach these onto their LBV.
For example, an ammunition pouch can be attached onto the LBV by weaving the pouch strap over the LBV several times. No additional knots or hooks are needed to firmly secure the ammunition pouch, and it will be firmly attached to the LBV within seconds.
"This customisation feature allows the soldier to perform specific roles during combat," said LTC Kong.
Therefore, a soldier using the M203 will have an M203 ammunition pouch fixed onto his LBV, while a SAW gunner will fix a SAW ammunition pouch onto his own LBV.
Another new feature of the LBV is that it comes with a durable hydration bag that can store three litres of water. A soldier can drink water while keeping his hands firmly on his weapon during his operations.
Another personal equipment is the new field pack. The new field pack is 80 per cent bigger than the previous one. It also sports the MOLLE system for more pouch add-ons.
That, however, does not mean that soldiers have to carry more equipment.
INPEX's Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Ho Kian Lee revealed that soldiers testing the enhanced personal equipment were worried the extra space meant they would have more things to carry.
"That was one of their worries but this was looked into because in terms of how much a soldier can carry, we have certain guidelines for that," said MWO Ho.
He explained that the primary function of the bigger field pack was to allow soldiers to fit all their equipment into the field pack.
When the recruits eventually get posted to their new vocations after their Basic Military Training, they might be required to carry additional equipment.
A combat medic, said MWO Ho, would have to carry a stretcher around and it would look unprofessional to sling it on the back. With the new field pack, the medic can put the stretcher into the field pack and still have ample space for other contents.
The old field pack was top-loaded, meaning content could only be unloaded from the top opening. The new field pack is not only top-loaded but also front-loaded. Therefore, if soldiers wish to reach for something at the bottom of the field pack, they can unzip the front side of the bag to gain access to the bottom portion without having to first unload all the contents.
A water-proof torchlight with changeable coloured shades and a seven-function multi-purpose knife were also introduced and will form part of the enhanced personal equipment.
The introduction of the enhanced personal equipment was welcomed by the recruits.
Recruit Muhammad Redzahuddin bin Jaafar had used the webbing during his secondary school co-curricular activity days with the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
After a few weeks of using the LBV and new field pack since enlisting for National Service, he gave a thumb's-up for the enhanced equipment.
He said, "I feel comfortable wearing the LBV because it has wider shoulder pads.
"I also like the water bag, so when I go for route marches, I need not worry about dehydration."
As for regulars and Operationally-Ready National Servicemen, LTC Kong said they will receive their enhanced equipment at a later date.
The enhanced personal equipment will also be made available at SAF.eMart outlets subsequently.
Recruits sporting the LBV and the improved field pack (left) and the current webbing and field pack (right).
The improved field pack (right) is 80 per cent larger than the current one.
Recruits marching with the new enhanced personal equipment.
Using the MOLLE system, a pouch like this is weaved onto the LBV using the pouch straps.
Can't stand this you know... imagine my torture in packing my field pack during bmt... now... got extra space somemore...
ok i stop whining. -
they should change the ammo pouch to magnetic button thingy and not velcro. all ZZZZ.zzzz.ZZZz.zzzzzzz quite noisy
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they shld get gundams.
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i have 1.Originally posted by Ito_^:they shld get gundams.
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say until so nice in the end sure increase the load de
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When will they come up with a helmet that sprouts its own leaves?
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Originally posted by ditzy:When will they come up with a helmet that sprouts its own leaves?
dunno i think now only BMT camo their helmets...
battalions always use the tes set... camo netting also must take out...
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i gt chance to use this .
i going NS soon !!! -
wah .. now the new recruits blessed sia ...... i still rmbr my BMT daes still using the old webbing n field pack ..... a torture everytime we r asked to put on FBO .. imagine going for 24 click
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waste of money lor give them these equipment...wat abt those becoming clerks in the end...or non "new equipment" vocations like artillery
its a hindrance in some vocations -
PES C clerks have to do guard duty as well. If there is a conflict, it's better than nothing right?Originally posted by Rockhound:waste of money lor give them these equipment...wat abt those becoming clerks in the end...or non "new equipment" vocations like artillery
its a hindrance in some vocations -
just look at the new fieldpack. so much bigger.... and i think it's heavier too!!
the LBV looks heavier than the former webbing.
ArGH! -
cool sia.. the backpack can use a pillow liao... big big and retangular
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The new field pack so big!! Luckily im using the old ones.
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with a bigger fieldpack, they can now ask us to put in more rubbish items, like extra pair of boots and PT shoes.
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Dun laa.. i still got reservist lei...Originally posted by Gordonator:with a bigger fieldpack, they can now ask us to put in more rubbish items, like extra pair of boots and PT shoes. 
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anyone think the new field pack look pretty stupid?Originally posted by Don©:The new field pack so big!! Luckily im using the old ones.
Especially if the recruit is the tiny sized type. (you know, the field pack cover his whole body and can only see the ears
)
don't talk about functionality here lah how useful it is is a different thing. -
Good mah, no way the enemy can target you with ease anymore.Originally posted by chanjyj:anyone think the new field pack look pretty stupid?
Especially if the recruit is the tiny sized type. (you know, the field pack cover his whole body and can only see the ears )
don't talk about functionality here lah how useful it is is a different thing. -
pes C gt chance to use this equipment ?
7 weeks bmt nia -
New LBV looks f***king warm esp in our humid weather. Those goondus at DSTA must have tested it in their aircon environment.
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If you're in recce or some vocation that requires you to carry obscene amount of load, the new fieldpack is a godsend, no more squeezing like crazy
But then again, they'll expect you to carry new equipments... For eg: laptop
Before LBV + new fieldpack: Never experience heatrash before
After LBV + new fieldpack: Just stand around also kena heatrash -
full pack look like got pillow inside,bulky.Loo like have to carry more equipment meaning have to sign more 12-06.Is it still called 12-06?
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everytime get bigger=put more things
very soon they will be carrying the ALICE pack as standard issue -
The full pack got lotsa padding, makes a good pillow and stoolOriginally posted by Short Ninja:full pack look like got pillow inside,bulky.Loo like have to carry more equipment meaning have to sign more 12-06.Is it still called 12-06?
Not too sure about current batches but mine will collect water when it rains, so it gets heavier when it rains or when you do river crossing
Anyway, 1206 heng suay one leh... Dunno how, but one of my plt mate managed to lose his vehicle set antenna... End up need to pay back quite a lot of money... While the rest of us no problem with our equipments -
The funny thing about signing 12-06 is that after you sign and paid for it the equipment would miraculously find its way back to the storeroom.Signal stores also got lots of excess items Mah!Originally posted by DarthBart:The full pack got lotsa padding, makes a good pillow and stool
Not too sure about current batches but mine will collect water when it rains, so it gets heavier when it rains or when you do river crossing
Anyway, 1206 heng suay one leh... Dunno how, but one of my plt mate managed to lose his vehicle set antenna... End up need to pay back quite a lot of money... While the rest of us no problem with our equipments