RE: Starting equipment

["Adam Johnson" <vze2wmka@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On a personal note, when I was running ME a few years back, I didn't give
out individual equipment.
The cell had its own equipment stash in a location outside the office
(Baltimore/Washington DC area). I think they had a rented warehouse for
this. I outfitted the cell's armory with a few things, and they worked on
the rest of the gear as needed. I didn't really worry so much about a budget
(though if I was to start running it again, I would definitely set a budget,
but use the above method) at the time. I think I also ran it more as a
cinematic game as well.

Thanks to this list, now I'm starting to get some ideas for this game
again... better write a few of them down before they're forgotten.


===================================
adam.johnson5@verizon.net (vze2wmka@verizon.net)
It is said that whomsoever the gods wish to destroy, they first
make him mad. In fact, whomsoever the gods wish to destroy, they
first hand the equivalent of a stick with a fizzing fuse and
Acme Dynamite Company written on the side. It's much more
interesting and it doesn't take as long.
	-- Terry Pratchett, "Soul Music"
===================================


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert J . Hansen [mailto:rjhansen@inav.net]
Sent: Wednesday, 14 November, 2001 17.10
To: millenniums-end-l@firedrake.org
Subject: Re: Starting equipment


> I would like to get some comments on what is missing in this firm
> starter kit.

Short answer: LOTS.

Search through the archives to find a thread or two on God Forbid bags.
They're called God Forbids because God forbid that you should ever need
one.  I can see BE issuing a lightweight God Forbid to operators, but not
the very heavy military equipment that you've got listed here.  Just
carrying around half of it, plus rations and shelter, would leave strong
men staggering under the load.

> My idea with the following list of equipment is, that it is given to
> every new starting person in the firm and like the basic equipment
> cop/solder would get.

You might wish to consider that in armed forces, not all soldiers are
provisioned alike.  One man is provisioned with the GPMG/SAW, others are
provisioned with rifles.  Some are provisioned with antitank weapons, some
are provisioned with Claymores.  Soldiers tend to be issued only what gear
is so pervasive as to be needed just about everywhere.  Anything which is
mission-sensitive they draw as-needed from the quartermaster.

> Weapons
> · 1 red smoke grenade
> · 2 CS grenades
> · 2 Flash Bang grenades
> · 4 spare magazines for the Colt M4
> · 4 spare magazines for the H&K MP5SD6
> · 4 spare magazines for the SIG Sauer
> · Colt M4 - Rifle
> · H&K MP5SD6 - Silenced SMG
> · Rugged 20cm stainless steel knife, with built-in wire-cutter
> · SIG Sauer P228 - Pistol
> · Silencer for SIG Sauer P228

Unless you're running a Rambo game, you're way overequipped.  In my own
campaign, each operator was required (not requested--/required/) to carry a
BE-approved pistol (SIGs and Glocks dominated) and wear Class IIa body
armor.  More weapons than that could be provided by the operator himself,
from the cell's locker, or by pleading and wheedling with other cells to
borrow parts of their kit.

There is a tremendous functional overlap between the MP5SD6 and the M4
SOPMOD, incidentally.  Both are designed for close-quarters battle.  They
are similar in size and heft (M4 is larger, but not greatly so).  They both
mount silencers, scopes, etc.  Issuing everyone both an MP5SD6 and an M4
strikes me as very wasteful spending from the BE beancounters--it's almost
totally redundant to keep them both.

> Other
> · 10 Green chemical light sticks

Only needed at night.  Thus, this would be a "draw as-needed" item and not
part of standard kit.

> · 25 km Encrypted hand radio receiver with strobe microphone and earpiece

Only needed for tactical operations (for non-tac use, a cell phone draws
much less attention).  Draw as-needed.

> · AN/PVS 7 night vision goggles

Only needed at night.  DAN.

> · Armor Holding Assault Vest "Armor Holding SWAT 22", Class II
> · Armor Holding Protective Vest "Armor Holding M4", Class II
> · BDU, black
> · BDU, US pattern woodland camouflage

Only needed for tactical operations.  DAN.  Normal duty wear might be a
concealed Class II, IIa or III vest.

> · Binocular, 12-20x zoom

These are surprisingly useful in a wide variety of situations, but not
every operative needs a pair.  One or two sets of binocs might be issued
per cell, but more than that would be up to individual operators to
provide.

> · Boots, leather combat model
> · Camouflage compact

Tac ops, DAN.

> · Cellular phone

Useful.  Probably provided to everyone.

> · Climbing and rappelling gear including: chock set, locking carabineer,
> rappelling ascender, rappelling descender, rappelling seat
> · Compass

Mountaineering and orienteering only.  DAN.

> · First aid kit field

A well-stocked first aid kit (paramedic's jump kit, etc.) should be issued
to every cell, and very light first aid kits issued to every individual.
This one's a keeper.

> · Full-face military issue gas mask

CBW.  DAN.

> · Insect repellent

Only needed for wilderness operations.  DAN.

> · Nylon rope, 20 meter

Not needed for most operations.  20m of rope per person is also excessive
(and heavy).  11mm Kernmantle has a Kevlar core and a nylon sheath
surrounding it; 20m of it will weigh about five kilos.  DAN.

> · Pair of black fingerless shooting gloves
> · Pair of thick, heavy kneepads

Tac ops, DAN.

> · Shoulder holster for the SIG Sauer P228

Method of carry shouldn't be specified--some people have an easier time
concealing with small-of-back carry, others with shoulder carry, others
with side carry, etc.

> · Ski mask, black

If BE is paying these guys $50,000+ a year, they can buy their own ski
masks.

> · Standard Alice gear including a pair of canteens, several magazine
> pouches, etc.

Tac ops, DAN.

> · Sure-fire 2-C cell flashlight

Good idea.

> · Tactical vest, black
> · Tactical vest, US pattern woodland camouflage

DAN.

> · Two small water bottles

Operative is responsible for providing their own water.

> · Watch, Casio water proof down to 20 meters

Operative is responsible for having a reliable timepiece.


--
Millennium's End list: mail millenniums-end-l-request@firedrake.org with
subject "unsubscribe" to leave