As I get started on militia gear concepts, an idea I had in mind for this blog since it started (and already covered in part with the couple of uniform commentary posts), it is time I give credit where it is due. All topics I write about draw on personal experience, but often that experience is preceded with meticulous research. Today's topic will be a non-comprehensive review of my primary sources, most of which cover other gear topics that (since other's needs and tastes doubtless differ from mine) will help fellow citizens make up their own minds on how to be better-prepared for difficult times ahead. US Nylon Field Gear (1967-2001) by Shawn Noe
A classic picture-rich categorized overview that, of particular interest, appears to be done from a citizen militia perspective (though it may just as likely be for reenacting) as its author tends to comment on how well setups made with the M16 in mind work with his own weapon of choice: the M14. The snipped bit above shows how his commentary is tongue-in-cheek but his reviews always note how well a particular piece of gear is practical for the civilian, both in terms of cost (30-round M16 magazine pouches before ALICE are generally not worth the collector premium) and applicability (he says to definitely pass on the grenadier's vest). The site is remarkably comprehensive: from pre-Vietnam canvas gear unique enough to still work well with modern setups to M-1956/ALICE-compatible items not even made for the military. I first stumbled upon this site after already deciding I wanted to compile an ALICE ensemble, but here is where I first learned about M-1967 and IIFS which have since become the bigger staples of my loadouts. Anyone navigating this site for the first time needs to be aware of a few things. It is older and, while still having it online is something to be thankful for, it has clearly not been updated in years. It is amateurish, with grammatical and typographical errors abounding (a couple appear in the snapshot above). Format is obsolescent, both in actual layout and the underlying code; certain browsers and search engines may throw up a security warning. Yet as a "grand overview" of the time periods covered one would be hard-pressed to find a better source online.
Olive-Drab Another classic site that likewise appears to have not been well-maintained (I had trouble accessing it as of this writing so putting the link into Internet Archive may be necessary). It satisfied my curiosity about US Army uniform changes and use following WWII, elaborating on the garrison vs. field dichotomy that is deprecated today, but it also goes into detail about unit equipment as well as individual. The clothing and gear pages included links and information meant to aid viewers in acquiring those items but much (if not all) of that is no longer useful. In the past few years other sites have superseded the usefulness of this one but it can still qualify as concise equipment introductions for those just getting started.
Clothing & Individual Equipment Hub Focused exclusively on issued equipment (though I believe there are a couple inaccuracies on that front) what I like most about this site is not just the technical detail of the items themselves but that the bulk of the information is drawn from official military publications, many of which are available to download from here. Unfortunately it is not all-encompassing, though it appears to be open to continually growing. As an overview of modern US military gear, much of which is available to the militiaman at any surplus store, this site will help weigh all the official options from head to toe. As a nice bonus: individual gear pages include a window to present eBay listings for that item, greatly aiding in their acquisition.
An even more comprehensive grand overview, this one covering many more eras than the Cold War into modern times, but it comes with some serious caveats. It appears to be based in China, which probably makes it even less secure than the first site on this list. It is lighter on commentary but much better on the pictures; it tries to make up for that deficit with a blog on select gear topics but some posts are only in Chinese.
This site is great for its detailed visual aids, particularly in regard to rare items, all accompanied by their stock numbers when known to help in their acquisition. While nylon gear is generally recommended for a modern militia loadout, for collectors and those who prefer canvas this is a superb resource. Uniforms, personal items, even how to tell apart commercial reproductions is covered from WWI to present day. If one is willing to look past issues with the site itself this may be the most comprehensive military gear site (for US equipment at least) out there. Vietnam Gear
Similar to the site above only focused on the complete US-involved Vietnam era (1954-1975) with better individual gear commentary and great visual aids (this is the source of the "infamous" to the community picture of 3 M14 magazines stuffed into a later model M-1956 ammo pouch). It's comprehensiveness to this era is second-to-none with what may be the most complete representation of prototype and ARVN-specific items. I find it of great interest because I field M-1967 and certain individual items made for that war (i.e. jungle hammock, insect headnet) which never got suitable replacements in later US inventory. The Baldwin Files on Soldier Systems Daily
Learning general gear details is one thing; that would be all the collectors and reenactors need. But the militiaman must have purpose in whatever gear he acquires which is why I consider highly-valuable this growing list of observations from the experiences of a retired US Army special ops officer who happened to serve in a span of time multiple equipment transitions occurred (not all of which made general issue). His non-gear posts are also compelling reads, both for the serviceman and the patriotic citizen. Soldier Systems Daily is a long-running blog on gear developments and current events; the Baldwin Articles are technically guest posts (hence why the link is to a search results list) but is still some of the best treasure found on that site including the reader comments.
Frag Out! Magazine This may be one of the more interesting sources as it is based in, of all places, Poland. I will not claim to understand the present state of East European militia and preparedness culture but I have read enough to say with confidence the people in the former Warsaw Pact (excepting Russia, of course) enjoy greater freedom these days than their old-school NATO counterparts out West...the world really turned upside-down. That a newly-belligerent Russia remains an ever-looming threat doubtless plays large part in their perspectives. Because it is Polish-focused that will immediately limit this web-based magazine's applicability to the US militiaman, but that makes it no less interesting a read (check their firearm, tool and gear reviews). What does this have to do with American militia readiness? While it rehashes some of the same ground as the sources above there are still detailed reviews of certain gear ensembles which remain available for militia use in the context of how they fared historically, plus some important scenario contemplations. Here is a chronological list of recommended reads: Issue #03 pp. 212-223
Operation Desert Storm Individual Equipment
In 1991 there were several new equipment sets in the works just finishing up (IIFS, ECWCS) and, while in some cases only a few troops got issued them, they became staples the following decade and remain great militia choices
Issue #04 pp. 174-179
UK Personal Load Carrying Equipment (PLCE)
The royal equivalent to ALICE is not as accessible as US gear but is still a superb choice alternative
Issue #04 pp. 180-191
Late Vietnam Individual Equipment
Available gear of the time, much of which remains militia-useful, is reviewed in fighting context from the key year of 1969
Issue #05 pp. 220-233
Normandy 1944 Individual Equipment
For users of World War-vintage cartridge belt and/or haversack assemblies (they can be good militiamen too) this is a great overview
Issue #06 pp. 200-207
How to Assemble PLCE Correctly
The drawback of PLCE, like MOLLE, is that proper assembly requires proper education which this offers
Issue #07 pp. 150-157
AK Practical Training Part I
Though a Kalashnikov is not the most recommended platform for militia use in the US (if only because AR-15s are more accurate, more modular, and generally less expensive) there is something to be said for the fact that it is by far the world's most popular assault rifle and the likelihood of encountering it makes reason enough to learn it
Issue #09 pp. 120-127
AK Practical Training Part II
See above
Issue #12 pp. 98-105
Combined Training
Firearm practice and gear assembly are but part of preparedness so here is suggestion on how to have a more comprehensive program
Issue #13 pp. 144-151
Combined Training Part 2
See above, preparedness is something for everyday and not just anticipating things hitting the fan
Issue #14 pp. 128-137
AK Accessory Upgrades
The AR may be a man's Barbie doll here in the Western Hemisphere but similar sentiment exists for the AK and in fact may be stronger in Eastern Europe (which has a more extensive history with the platform)
Issue #18 pp. 224-237
US All-Purpose Lightweight Carrying Equipment (ALICE)
One of the best single-article detailed overviews of the entire system, written with assistance by posters at US Militaria Forum
Issue #19 pp. 202-221
PASGT Helmet
It may be growing quaint now, but America's first general-issue Kevlar helmet is still widely available and continues to work very well for militia applications
Issue #20 pp. 206-217
PASGT Vest
The old flak vest may have lost favor to plate carriers in the 21st century but is still worth consideration
Issue #23 pp. 128-147
US Individual Integrated Fighting System (IIFS)
Just like the previous ALICE article this is a great one-stop read for the ensemble that augmented ALICE while providing much of the basis of what would become MOLLE
Issue #24 pp. 40-45
Terror Attack Analysis
This is necessary as terrorism may be the most probable scenario prompting militia involvement
Issue #26 pp. 64-75
WWIII Analysis
While not as likely a new full-scale war remains the primary cause to have militia in the first place
Issue #29 pp. 60-65
Terrorism Analysis
Knowing the enemy means grasping the choice tools and trigger events of terrorists, a highly-pertinent subject as recent world events prove
US Militaria Forum A treasure trove of collector findings and service memories all-encompassing United States military gear. This is not so much a primary research source as a means of finding more detail; particularly for obscure items chances are there is someone found here who can shed greater light. Years ago one of the site administrators compiled the fruits of his research for entry in the Europa Militaria book series, American Web Equipment 1967-1991.
Closing Again this is not every source I consult but it is most of the better ones. Early in this blog's life I opted to abandon academic writing method as I found its stipulations too restricting for web-based composition, but I still avoid plagiarism by pointing to the source whenever I make a quote. Otherwise I typically get my information the same way many Millennials do from the internet (search engine of choice), and while gaming subject matter is generally known from many sources, militaria is more specialized so here was my shout-out to those I found most useful over the years. Thank you all!