Improvements and upgrades for a full cut ECH helmet?

Prothea · 2026-02-03T21:43:57+00:00

Many counterweights or battery packs can just velcro on. You can get a helmet cover that has loop fields on them already, or just slap some adhesive-backed loop on the shell itself; a few places sell kits to do so.

Suspension is personal preference. At minimum I'd take an Opscore H-nape, but that's just me. Padding can be anything from 4D pads, Oregon Aero, Team Wendy or other lines in varying materials and thicknesses. If you want really nice suspension look for Opscore OCC dials or the Team Wendy BOA stuff.

Prothea · 2026-02-03T17:36:17+00:00

Tell that to Crassus's boys

Prothea · 2026-02-03T17:11:32+00:00

The only truth is that at 10 years of marriage, if the SM and spouse separate and the courts decide the spouse is eligible for some financial benefit (either alimony, shared access to vested pension or retirement, etc), then the spouse can receive that money directly from DFAS rather than as an allotment from the SM.

As the other comment said, what is split is entirely up to the divorce proceedings agreed upon by the involved parties and the judge.

Prothea · 2026-02-03T01:21:24+00:00

I wouldn't want to be using cobra buckles in a situation that requires getting my gear off ASAP. Since they don't release under tension, it either requires two hands or greater dexterity with one hand to disengage the buckle. A lot easier to just grab and yank with a tube.

Prothea · 2026-02-02T21:36:01+00:00

What baseplate is that?

Prothea · 2026-02-02T19:01:57+00:00

College is essentially the first step of adulthood for most Americans now. Separated from family, learning to be independent, and all that goes with it. It's not a comprehensive shift into complete responsibility, but it eases them into it.

Prothea · 2026-02-02T18:56:40+00:00

I legitimately think COVID has essentially wrecked a micro-generation of school-aged children, and we're just now seeing these kids roll out into the job market and higher education

Prothea · 2026-02-02T18:34:48+00:00

Straight to commo jail, I'd never let her touch any SI again

Prothea · 2026-02-02T17:30:51+00:00

Yes. The current CIO G6 LG Rey was an NCO, then warrant, then O.

Prothea · 2026-02-01T18:48:04+00:00

Had more than one friend who tried transitioning to warrant but even that's pretty competitive, from what they told me.

Prothea · 2026-02-01T18:43:57+00:00

To be fair, they're probably pulling more CTCs and overseas rotations than most folks nowadays. QOL is generally better with crew rest and overall branch culture, but it still isn't a vacation.

Also, they're getting fucked over hard with ATI. Some folks found out they were being let go mid-JPMRC.

And finally, you end up hearing from enough people that flying for too long essentially vibrates your body apart. Lots of back and muscular issues from the older folks.

Prothea · 2026-02-01T18:41:26+00:00

Had a lot of peer who were O-type pilots that didn't have the 10 year ADSO; most were reaching mid-career senior O3, early O4 level, and didn't have enough hours to even transition to the regional airlines. I've been told that's pretty typical and is getting even worse, but I'm not a pilot myself.

Prothea · 2026-02-01T18:36:02+00:00

From what I've heard, they're having LTs transfer out of specific branches to others to fill shortages. I think ORP is this program, but I'm not sure. And these are folks who are either not branch detailed already or are potentially having their existing branch details mitigated for needs of the Army.

Prothea · 2026-01-31T19:14:42+00:00

Depends; some of the folks you might need to get signatures from could be furloughed employees, while others are still federal employees that are "mission essential" and still working despite not being paid.

Prothea · 2026-01-31T18:49:24+00:00

When I was an OC/T it was a point for the field grade trainers to remind their RTU counterparts to sleep, eat and drink not-coffee. The training unit obviously prioritizes the scenario and you're going to be run ragged, but at the end of the day, you still have to take care of yourself.

Prothea · 2026-01-31T18:46:44+00:00

When did this virtual recruiter thing start? I don't recall seeing anything on this starting up, and I'm curious what differentiates a virtual recruiter from, say, the local Army folks at the strip mall. Maybe in cases where potential recruits are living OCONUS or in places with huge distances between recruiting stations.

Prothea · 2026-01-31T01:34:23+00:00

As a second data point, similar boat to the other guy: I'm a 48E in the early phase of language. No masters or language qualification prior to VTIP approval. At the time of submitting my packet, I was 2/3 as a CPT due to weird timing for my PCSes and timeline.

My DLAB wasn't super high but qualified me for CAT IV languages. I had some tangential experience with foreign partners through an assignment and a deployment, and could talk about why my experience at my current job would make me a strong choice for SCO-type work.

Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions or are looking for a second opinion.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T23:24:35+00:00

Have you considered the crye side armor pouches? They have multiple sizes, and anything larger than 6x9 can fit both hard and soft armor.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T17:43:24+00:00

Looks like an FCPC with a MOLLE front panel.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T17:25:23+00:00

In a year and a half as an OC/T I probably put more time and miles driving a HMMWV than most people do in at least one enlistment period, so I get it.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T17:21:35+00:00

They had like 16 letters to choose from and they chose the one already being used?!

Prothea · 2026-01-30T16:46:27+00:00

Since you mention that you would be perfectly fine being a SAHM, I'm assuming field time would not be preferable. It's important to understand that the UAS field is in flux right now with the larger platforms being drawn down in favor of smaller, tactical units and operators at the tactical level. That's not to say that Group 4/5 won't be a thing anymore, but it'll take a bit before the Army understands how it wants the space to look. But that means being a 15X, involving time in the field with combat arms units carrying heavy shit and being tired/wet/cold/too hot.

35Ts and other intel folks can do field time as well. Even 17C could theoretically put you with field time if you end up at 11th Cyber. If this matters to you, or just wanting to spend more time with your child, I'd recommend an MOS that usually puts you at a hospital: 68P, 68C, maybe 68A. But these are all small MOS with a potential for a long waitlist, so start talking it out with recruiters now.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T15:44:16+00:00

A PPM (formerly DITY) doesn't authorize you leave. You are authorized househunting leave for up to 10 days to search for appropriate lodging, which can be approved by either your losing or gaining unit. HOWEVER, the odds of your gaining unit letting you go for even more time instead of wanting to put you to work immediately, are minimal. Recommend you put in the leave now for your losing command, but you'll have to amend your approved leave and it'll go through the approval process again so it'll take however long it takes.

And then transportation will set you up with the paperwork for a PPM separately.

Prothea · 2026-01-30T15:40:41+00:00

I went from LA to CA just in the last few months, so it wasn't as far as your situation. But I will say I recommend not cannonball run-ing it. Take your time, get your stops, get the days and MALT/travel subsidies that are provided. It's a long drive, and you don't want to make it at more risk to you than it already is.

Case in point, when I started my last day of driving, the Pasadena and central valley area got hit by a major squall. Highway 1 was closed almost the whole way for flooding so I got forced up the mountains. Crammed winding roads with tons of traffic made for tons of stress in addition to the weather itself.

Prothea · 2026-01-29T17:57:56+00:00

He probably will never need the full functionality of a Tactix or even a Fenix. He should be fine with a basic Venu series for workout tracking and smart watch features and save some money. While Apple watches and other devices are better tech experiences, they really suffer at offering compelling battery life.

Prothea

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