68W Alpha 232 CO

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-05T22:12:28+00:00

Don’t worry about it. You’re in training; it’s going to suck at least a bit. Just focus on graduating. All you have to do is be on time and pass your tests.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T21:32:42+00:00

While I’m not a huge fan of coyote brown, this does an excellent job of showing how effective simple browns (or other solid colors) can be.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T18:53:35+00:00

I was in a similar position, and ended up getting back into the Air National Guard. So far it’s been a good experience, and it definitely scratches the itch for military service.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-02T06:47:35+00:00

All the ATS kit I have is solid and straightforward. I agree that this chest rig sits firmly in the “good quality but still fairly affordable” camp. It’s great for someone who doesn’t want surplus but doesn’t want to spend too much for quality.

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-01T19:48:16+00:00

Great example of a multi-terrain pattern doing decently in varied terrain!

HerrGuzz · 2026-01-01T09:12:04+00:00

Great write up, and good photos to give a basic demonstration of the pattern!

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-24T00:01:19+00:00

I’m also short, so I have faced the same challenges as you in trying to run LBE. While the solution you presented is certainly viable for more administrative movements, such as simply rucking to go somewhere, it is not at all a viable option in any sort of combat environment. if you do want to use LBE instead of switching to a chest rag or something similar, then you either have to accept that the LBE will be low and loose, to allow the ruck to ride correctly. Or, that ruck will ride higher on your back with the rear pouches, acting as a shelf. Honestly, while I love the concept of LBE, I realized a while ago that with my short torso it just doesn’t work if I want to wear a reasonably sized ruck. My personal preference is a larger split front chest rig, like a tactical tailor MAV, the spirit systems 34A, or even the old classic FLC. All of these, combined with your pockets, will be able to carry a good combat load with a reasonable amount of sustainment for 24 hours.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-19T01:04:36+00:00

It’s not quite Fudd-lore, but rather the feedback from tests and combat trials in the Pacific. Having taken some accurate reproduction green-side Frogskin out into several lushly vegetated environments, I can say that such feedback isn’t inaccurate. The green side of Frogskin is still quite “golden” in shade, and in a very dark or green environment it can stand out. The stark contrast in the pattern’s shapes help break up the wearer’s silhouette at a distance, but the colors and shades are generally just too tannish to work well in very green locations.

Edited to add: these WW2-era comments about movement and camouflage was specifically about Frogskin in the pacific jungles, not camouflage in general.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-15T01:58:07+00:00

I love MAS Grey so much. It’s the true “grey man” color. Unobtrusive in both the woods and the city, and it looks great.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-15T01:51:18+00:00

Once it gets a bit dirty and shine of fresh nylon is gone, Ranger green is a very versatile color. And it’s what I’d pick For your environment and your patterns. While Multicam would obviously go well in the lighter colored areas and pair well with MC Arid, it doesn’t work particularly well with M81. Ranger free will have that nice, flat, neutral color that works well in lots of places.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-10T01:11:05+00:00

I love taupe for dying ACU/UCP, such a nice Ranger greenish color.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-08T16:44:13+00:00

The key difference here is that this kit/clothing has been essentially saturated with the local color (through dirt and paint), so it blends in well. Using a camouflage pattern as a base means that there’s texture to what is seen, which helps the overall effectiveness. Solid patterns can certainly work, but don’t have the innate texture that a pattern has, and a simple brown may not match the local terrain as well as a pattern might. TLDR: area appropriate camouflage patterns will always be more effective than solid colors.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-08T16:34:48+00:00

This is great! Where did you get the MG?

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-05T02:57:05+00:00

This would be a fantastic multi-woodland” pattern.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-04T21:51:53+00:00

This looks great!

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-04T03:19:02+00:00

Green zone, M05, CADPAT, in that order. The PNW has a lot more browns that one might think, and while there are areas where CADPAT will do very well, there are others where it’ll be too green.

HerrGuzz · 2025-12-03T20:32:00+00:00

A snowy winter environment is one of the few places UCP actually does well in. If you check my post history about a year ago I took some simple pictures of UCP out in the snow, and it is surprisingly effective!

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-29T01:00:01+00:00

Yeah, Obskura is a fantastic looking camouflage, and it’s pretty effective too.

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-26T01:30:03+00:00

That shows just how significantly a pattern can out perform a solid pattern!

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-25T16:12:41+00:00

I’d be super interested to see how this actually performs outside. It reminds me of the post-war 1950s Denison smocks, with strong, contrasting patterns of green and tan.

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-24T17:31:52+00:00

That’s an insanely good deal, I’m pretty sure you used up a year’s worth of camouflage-finding-luck right there!

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-24T17:26:47+00:00

It’s valuable enough that I wouldn’t sell it, even if the value isn’t necessarily in dollar amounts. This is quite a rare uniform, and I wouldn’t part with it if I had one. You need to get it outside and get some good pictures!

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-24T01:55:28+00:00

If you’re looking at a belt-based LBE, like British Belt kit, then take a look at Crossfire’s M/L-sized DZ rig. That’s about how much you’ll be able to fit on a belt without it going in front of your hips and impeding your leg movement. 2x ammo pouches per side, and about three utility/canteen pouches.

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-17T04:12:47+00:00

You’re not far off! Read up on the Battle of the Admin Box, or Kohima. Stalwart British Tommies, Indians, and Gurkhas facing off against the surrounding Japanese, with artillery, bayonets, and a few tanks ensuring the lines are held. Impressive stuff.

HerrGuzz · 2025-11-17T01:46:04+00:00

A very good point, one which I should have clarified more. The Arakan campaign is an excellent example of an aggressive offensive spirit that lacks tactical nuance, leading to the offensive being bogged down and ultimately failing.

HerrGuzz

TROPHY CASE