| Dragoon2912 |
October 14th, 2008 00:06 |
Interesting thread, and one I will add my two cents too.
I remember the trial combats for sale at surplus store in the early 80's (not the late 70s at all). I actually purchased a jacket at what was a considerable cost as I was 14 at the time and the thing was like $25. Lots of people had them (I was in Army Cadets in Sudbury at the time). We all assumed they where a "trial" but now that I look back on it I realize that that was not the case. They where all brand new and no Reg Army person I knew had ever seen it. However it was an excellent uniform, same design and quality as the issue OD uniform, and in the DPM pattern that I always liked. The 50% cotton, 50% Nylon fabric is the same fabric they use today for CF Uniforms. I wore it in High School thinking I looked pretty cool. Other kids wore Iron Maiden T-Shirts. Chicks digged me, honest.
I also remember the DPM para Smocks. They are referred to as SSF Smocks. When I joined the SSF (Special Service Force, the Brigade in Petawawa at the time, now 2 Brigade) only Airborne troops where issued the Smock. It was a Parade Square item only. It was 100% nylon (fatal to wear in Petawawa in the summer) and was not ripstop. Also the snaps on the pockets where prone to fail. No one I know ever wore one in the field.
However when I was deployed to Somalia in 1993 I was "attached" to the Airborne Regiment and as such was issued a Smock. I was a Dragoon, a brand new Lieutenant and I had to cart it to Africa and never actually wore it. We turned them in half way through the tour. No one I know ever had anything good to say about them but they all strutted their stuff in them when they were outside Petawawa. It was a status item.
Also my Platoon Commander on Basic Training was Captain Hirter, the son of the LCol Hirter noted it the post by Pork Chop. Small Army!
Great thread. Brings back allot of repressed memories.
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