NEW YORK WING

CLOTHING

1. Cold Weather Related: Can I bring cotton thermals?

   NO!! Cotton literally sucks. It sucks up and absorbs moisture which in turn sucks up your body heat. This will leave you miserable, and possibly hypothermic. Stick to synthetic fabrics like light weight polypropylene, it's comparable in price and can be found at most of the same stores. Check this section for more info regarding cold weather clothing and gear.
   

2. Where can I find more tips regarding Winter Clothing?

   We created several pages under the Winter Academy Prep. page one such page is Winter Clothing and Gear.
   

GEAR

1. Why so much stuff?

   We didn't make it up. All of these items, with the exception of one or two we added from experience, are required for you to have by CAP National Headquarters as task O-001 in the GT and UDF Task Book, and on your Eval Sheets for Qualification. Every GTM in CAP is required to carry these items.
   

2. Do I need to bring sunglasses?

   Not necessarily,but you do want to have some sort of eye protection, whether it be from branches, dust, bugs, and even the sun too. These glasses don't have to be your prized $300 pair, any $10 pair from a gas station will work just as fine and you won't have to worry about breaking those.

3. What kind of notepad do I need?

   We recommend a small one readily available for quick notes: headings, call signs, etc. and a larger composition sized one for classroom notes. Make sure both are waterproofed in ziplock bags. Also pack a small library sized pencil, as they don't poke your pockets so much, and never run out of ink.

4. Do I need a copy of GTM task book, and where can I get one?

   Yes, it's your field guide and holds the answers to all of your questions; it's also what you should study up on instead of snoozing on CQ. You can get it from multiple places. First; you should be able to get one out of your Squadron Commander or Squadron Emergency Services Officer. Second; you can also buy one from Vanguard for $6.90 plus shipping. Your third option is download it and print it fromhome. Go to here and click on Ground& Urban DF Task Guide, it won't look pretty but it'll have all the same information.

5. Do I need a whistle?

   Don't bother showing up with out it. A plastic whistle (with no bead or a plastic bead) is better than a metal whistle with a traditional bead as these are terrible when they get wet.

6. Does the carrying device for my 24-hour gear have to be military web gear?

   Not unless you're also carrying M-16 magazines, and grenades too. Military web gear is specific to the military's needs, and not necessary. In fact we fit all of our 24-hour gear into medium Camelbacks. Military web gear can be cost effective, modular, and as such easily adapted for GT use.

7. Does my military poncho have to be an actual military poncho?

   If you plan on using that as your shelter material; yes or a very good reproduction the reason for this is military ponchos, have brass grommets to stake them down, have snaps to snap together with one another, and, most importantly, are made of strong rip stop material. Many cheap imitation military ponchos are little more than camouflage garbage bags with head and armholes, and no grommets. Military ponchos can be expensive but are worth it for numerous reasons you'll learn about, but you can substitute one for a small 10x10 tarp as it has the same basic features except the ability to be a poncho of course.

8. Can my outer layer and my rain gear be the same thing, and does it have to be a military issue?

   Yes, they can be the same thing, and technically the coats/jackets should be compliant with CAPM 39-1 but sometimes there are better things for the job. For example, during warmer months some GTMs carry extremely lightweight civilian rain coats that fold into a small ball. When it cools down we do favor the military issue Gore-Tex parka, but this can also be substituted for a civilian equivalent. Most special operators in the military don't use standard military outwear; think fast, light, and quiet.

9. Which compass should I bring, the lensatic or compass?

   Bring both they're cheap enough, as you can get both at stores like Walmart for about $5 each. You'll learn the difference at the academy, but in short orienteering compasses are great for tabletop map work, and planning your hikes. Lensatic Compasses are meant for use during the hike itself.

10. Do I need to bring every item in the First Aid kit?

    Yes and then some. Remember, we only list the minimum equipment required. You should already be first aid qualified by the start of the academy, and if you or someone on you team gets hurt you may be the first person to aid them and you want all the basics. You can usually buy a small lightweight version of these pre-packed at any outdoor store, but a ziplock bag containing the items works just as well.

11. I have waterproof matches do I need a water proof container?

    Yes, trust us.Throw them in a ziplock bag.

12. Do I need to bring a flashlight with both a red lens, and blue lens?

    Yes, most importantly red because it will preserve your night vision along with everyone else's. This will in turn result in staff and team leaders not having to yell at you to 'turn that white light off'. Again, don't worry about military issue. You can buy cheap LED ones at any store that sells flashlights, and they usually have a switch or bezel to toggle between the colors. The advantage of LED flashlights are that their smaller, brighter, and are very long lasting (bulb & power.) Just carry spare batteries, and now you've got no lens to fuss with or lose /break. Again fast, light, and quiet.

13. Can I bring work gloves other than leather?

    We wouldn't recommend it as leather is thick and tough so you don't have to worry about stabbing you hands with thorns when getting firewood, or cutting your hands when handling sharp objects. Also, I recommend gloves with some sort of liner or insulation so that you can handle hot objects such as cans of soup or smoldering wood that may have collapsed into the fire without burning yourself through the leather.

14. Does my backpack have to be an ALICE pack?

    What did we say about military gear? There are sometimes better things for the job; I have personally have two packs I like to use, both are what's called internal frame. Packs can be expensive or cheap find one that's going to comfortably hold both your 72 hour gear, and either allow you to put your 24 hour gear inside of it or wear it comfortably at the same time. You also want to make sure the straps are sewn on well, and that it will allow you to attach pockets you may want in the near or distant future. Most importantly make sure it's sized for you, somepacks come in frame sizes,don't ignore this as your back will thank you. Again fast, light, and quiet.

15. How big of a tent do I need?

    One big enough for you and all of your gear at least, make sure you can put it up by yourself as well. If you bring a giant house sized tent, you won't be allowed to put it up, and how are you going to carry it through the woods? If you're attending a winter academy no tent is needed as our current facility has leantos for trainee use.
    

16. Do I have to bring a towel?

    Yes, you may get a chance to shower and we want you to, but we also want you dry before you get dressed. Don't concern yourself with bringing one of your mother's large towels, we find smaller dish towels work just as well. They take up much less space in your pack, and they're easier to dry and keep clean.

17. Advanced Academy or higher: Do I really need all that stuff in the map case?

    Yes, yes, yes! And don't forget your compass.

18. Expert Academy or higher: Do I need to bring a laptop?

    Laptops aren't as appropriate in the field asthey are in the classroom portion. Just make sure you have copies of all formspertinent to GT operations such as ground interrogation forms, GT clearanceforms, any SAR related manual or reading you may want. Print plenty out beforehand, but also bring a flash drive with the files themselves because we may ormay not have a printer.

19. Expert Academy or higher: Extra batteries for the DF?

    We won't have them so you'd better.

20. Expert Academy or higher: Digital Camera?

    The NTSB loves pictures, so does missionbase. Oh, and also the LIGSAR website needs new ones don't you think? However,we don't advise you bring your prized $500 camera.

21. Packing your gear

    The most important thing toconsider while packing your gear is compact functionality. In other words, onlypack items that are as small as possible with the highest level of usefulness.Try to fit all the gear you can into as few packs or bags as possible withouthaving to carry any leftover items. This will help you move fluidly throughvarying terrain without your poorly packed gear getting caught every 20 meters(slowing you and your team down.) Periodically practice packing and unpackingyour gear by pulling out all the items including your sleeping bag (unroll thiscompletely), and repack everything back up into a tight package. Evaluate whichitems give you trouble, and then take measures to streamline this process untilyou can locate items in your pack quickly and in the dark. You will have to dothis multiple times throughout the academy, and there's little time to waste.

     We will update this as morequestions are asked of the staff. But as always feel free to ask any questionsyou may think of via email, or through the forums on LIGSAR.org where studentspast and present will be more than happy to help you out. The Academy Stafflooks forward to see you again, or meet you for the first time.