Personal Items and Tactical Equipment
You only need to bring your personal gear and clothing. You do not need your own tactical equipment. We will provide you with the necessary team equipment you and your team will need during our week together. If you do have tactical kits, med packs, information from other TEMS programs you have attended or other “neat stuff” we encourage you to bring it because we have set aside time on the first day for show-and-tell. This is one of the ways that we network and learn, and keep from reinventing the wheel.
Note: There is no need to bring firearms. We will supply all of the firearms and ordnance required for the week. If you are a commissioned officer or are traveling with a firearm you must secure it in your locked vehicle since it will not be allowed in the building or on the training grounds. AN INERT SIMULATION PISTOL and HOLSTER such as a blue gun or inert training gun that will not accept live ammunition is useful during exercises, but it is not required. Ballistic armor is also not required but if you wear it as part of your regular kit you should train in it too.]
Note: THE 8 SAFETY ITEMS BELOW ARE REQUIRED! We will conduct an inspection of your equipment on day one to confirm you have these items. You cannot participate in our training without them.
- Helmet (that fits and can be worn with your gas mask on): a tactical or ballistic helmet is not required. You may use a skateboarding or biking helmet and it must fit securelywith your gas mask on – check this! The helmet must have a chin strap. You will wear this for hours in the field.
- Chemical agent mask with OC/CS filter (bring a mask that fits you and you have checked the seal on!): any chemical agent mask capable of filtering CS or OC riot agent. Surplus is acceptable if it fits you properly (seals) and filters agent. If you don’t know, have someone help you. Make sure your mask FITS and WORKS before you come to training; there will be live agent exposures during our training.
- Eye protection for both day and evening events (a neck lanyard can be VERY useful in the field): clear lens goggles or glasses are required. When your gas mask is on you do not need goggles underneath. Eye pro is required during all operations; day and night (clear lenses?) Lenses may fog under headgear when you are warm; have a lanyard or strap so you will not lose your eye protection. In-ear foam plugs, NOT over-the-ear muffs.
- In-ear hearing protection such as foam plugs or Surefire Sonic Defenders. NOT muffs or over-ear models.
- Full fingered and properly fitting gloves made of Kevlar, Nomex, or leather: Well-fitting work gloves with full fingers intact. Consider your dexterity.
- Sturdy knee pads that attach above and below the knee that stay in place when you are moving and active. Dry waller’s knee pads from the home improvement store are cheaper but may not work as well for you on extended operations. Remember, you are going to be wearing these for several hours at a time. 5.11 foam pad inserts or any pants that accept similar thin inserted pads are NOT adequate.
- Supportive tactical or work boots that fit properly. Steel toes are not required.
- A 27-foot foot piece of 1-inch tubular rappel-grade webbing AND a locking D carabiner. Rescue grade tubular webbing can be found at most outdoors or climbing shops for about 40 cents per foot. There will be many applications for this during the week.
Personal Equipment
- Utility uniform – pants and shirt/blouse. Surplus military BDU’s, 5.11’s, flight suit, etc. No blue jeans as utility pants.
- Athletic wear for morning PT to include a warm layer such as a sweatshirt or thermal pullover.
- Athletic shoes and plenty of socks and underwear (blister prevention and foot care are benchmarks in our business!)
- Balaclava or hood in a subdued or earth-tone color
- Casual wear – bring one old set of clothes, jeans and a long sleeve shirt that can be cut/stained, and sweatshirt or jacket that can be soiled) for use in one of the field exercises where you will be moulaged to act as a role-player.
- Jacket and additional under-layers, Under Armor, or polypro for moisture wicking and warmth.
- Subdued head cover such as ball cap or boonie hat
- Full rain gear – we recommend a parka and pants or bibs, not a poncho that limits your mobility
- Personal hygiene items, prescription meds, glasses (with lanyard) if you wear contact lenses
- Shower towel and shower shoes, and a small hand towel is useful for the field.
- Sleeping bag or bedding and pillow. (Single bunk with mattress provided. If you are packing conservatively, you may be able to purchase bedding items at the Wal Mart in Little Falls, which is 15 minutes from Camp Ripley, phone 320-632-9268. You may have access to Wal Mart on Sunday afternoon, the first day.)
- Flashlight with holster and/or lanyard and a colored lens or filter (red, green, or blue does not matter)
- Sunglasses and clear lens glasses or goggles (with lanyard or retention strap!) for night events
- Covered pocket notebook and pencil or pen
- Pocketknife, Leatherman tool, or SOG tool
- A few clothes hangers may be convenient, there is large standing locker next to each bunk for your use.
- A medium-sized backpack or rucksack / load bearing equipment such as an ALICE pack, Camelbak® BFM, etc. You will need to take a few items to the field (you do not need a jumbo-sized pack for the field, a day-sized pack will do):
- Safety equipment as listed above, an extra shirt or jacket, and a spare pair of socks
- Hydration source – bladder, bottle, your choice
- A medium dump pouch like the Maxpedition Rollypoly 0208 has proven very useful to past classes
- A “blue gun” or completely INERT simulation pistol and holster are useful.
NO FIREARMS, AMMUNITION OR RESTRICTED DEVICES ARE PERMITTED IN THE BARRACKS AT ANY TIME!