Grenada Gear Questions for Vets

[Wade20th]

Hello everybody. 

 

I've been helping out a guy I know who's working on an Invasion of Grenada impression, and we'd like to ask some veterans a couple of questions. 

 

Question 1. 

How common was chemical protective gear in the field? Like the gloves, boot covers, and gas mask. 

 

Question 2. 

Most of you probably remember those black leather gloves with green inserts. How common were those at the time?

 

Question 3. 

Did most people wear their issued black leather combat boots, or did most find some Vietnam-style jungle boots?

 

Question 4. 

He's going for a combat impression; should he have a rucksack or a buttpack? And what kinds/models?

 

Question 5. 

I know helmet graffiti was a big thing in Vietnam. Was it common in Grenada? If so, what would have been seen?

 

If you served in Grenada, I'd also like to know what unit you were with at the time. I may come back later with more questions. Thanks!

 

Wade

[McLenn2025]

Hi,

 

although I am not at all a veteran, I thought, I would chime in with a few things...

1. Concerning the graffiti: I don't think, I have ever seen it on photos from Grenada to be honest... I could be wrong, but I don't think, that it was a thing.

 

2. Boots worn: On period photographs, it is sometimes hard to make out, but I have rather seen black leather combat boots worn. Keep in mind. Grenada was only about a month and one of the major issues was the gear. The newly introduced BDUs with the Elvis collars were too hot and many suffered from heat exhaustion. That is, why they allowed them to wear jungle fatigues and RDFs. I guess, that some did manage to get their hands on jungle boots, but my impression is, that it was not the majority as the overall gear seemed rather lacking for this conflict and same would apply for the boots. And pictures, where they wear jungle boots, are mainly ones of Rangers or Airborne troops...

 

That is all I can say concerning your topic. Hope I was of help :)) However, I am no veteran of this conflict and my field of interest lies rather elsewhere (fatigue tops and shirts), so I would not swear on my answers. It is just things I have seen on photos. I anyone else could chime in and maybe make some corrections if needed, that would be great!

Would love to see the finished impression and good luck!

 

Jules

 

PS: Some pics I found after a quick Google search:

[Marshallj]

First term enlisted personnel did not spend a lot of money on boots.

[brad k]

I was in the 1/508th 82nd abn., our battalion commander said no jungle boots so I wore my jump boots. when we got to green ramp they issued all the ammo rations poncho liners camy sticks ect. and brand new jungle boots! by the time I got mine all they had was size 7 1/2 and I wear a 10 so I continued to wear the jump boots. 

 as far as graffiti, they were pretty strict about stuff like that in the 82nd but tick marks on the helmet band for how many jumps you had was common.

we had the standard small alice packs and no chemical gear except protective masks and I think they allowed us to put those in our rucsacks. my bn commander also made everybody that had one to shave their mustaches of before we left and we had to shave and polish our boots daily and were issued bayonets because he wouldn't let us take personal knives. other units would be a little differant but my bn commander was a little differant too.

 pic's of the guys with the mesh on their helmets were from the 505, I dont remember which bn. we called them the cabbage patch kids.

[McLenn2025]

8 hours ago, brad k said:

I was in the 1/508th 82nd abn., our battalion commander said no jungle boots so I wore my jump boots. when we got to green ramp they issued all the ammo rations poncho liners camy sticks ect. and brand new jungle boots! by the time I got mine all they had was size 7 1/2 and I wear a 10 so I continued to wear the jump boots. 

 as far as graffiti, they were pretty strict about stuff like that in the 82nd but tick marks on the helmet band for how many jumps you had was common.

we had the standard small alice packs and no chemical gear except protective masks and I think they allowed us to put those in our rucsacks. my bn commander also made everybody that had one to shave their mustaches of before we left and we had to shave and polish our boots daily and were issued bayonets because he wouldn't let us take personal knives. other units would be a little differant but my bn commander was a little differant too.

 pic's of the guys with the mesh on their helmets were from the 505, I dont remember which bn. we called them the cabbage patch kids.

Thank you for your service and this extensive answer! It is a very interesting read indeed. :)

Why did you call them "cabbage patch kids"?

 

Jules

[Rhscott]

6 hours ago, McLenn2025 said:

Thank you for your service and this extensive answer! It is a very interesting read indeed. :)

Why did you call them "cabbage patch kids"?

 

Jules

Because of the scrim on their helmets.

[brad k]

6 hours ago, McLenn2025 said:

Thank you for your service and this extensive answer! It is a very interesting read indeed. :)

Why did you call them "cabbage patch kids"?

 

Jules

the scrim looked like the cabbage patch dolls that were a stupid rage at the time

[brad k]

Just now, brad k said:

the scrim looked like the cabbage patch dolls that were a stupid rage at the time

that battalion had a bn. xo that was a british exchange officer and the scrim was his idea from his service in england.

[McLenn2025]

7 minutes ago, brad k said:

the scrim looked like the cabbage patch dolls that were a stupid rage at the time

I see! I just checked and it is so true haha