You are in top physical shape, your mind is strong, and you have completed all the family, administrative, financial, and legal preparations (if not, refer to our practical guide Departure on Opex: preparations). It is now time to review your gear and optimize it to be fully ready for your mission.
Practical advice
Get informed. This is the first thing to do before thinking about "gear": gather as much information as possible about your mission, talk to your colleagues who have already left, find out about the type of terrain you will encounter, the type of climate, etc. The Army provides a lot of information before any departure, but nothing prevents you from going further to avoid any unpleasant surprises upon arrival.
Anticipate, foresee. Once well-informed, you will know precisely what type of gear will be best suited for your mission. However, be careful not to forget the journey. It is important when preparing your gear to also consider the trip to the mission location; it is not uncommon to have a transit delay of 24/48 hours, for example. Just as it is not uncommon for luggage to get lost or damaged during any trip. The best approach is to distribute your gear into 3 identified bags: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. Also, know that depending on the Opex, it is sometimes possible to bring individual or collective rigid cases.
Bags A, B, C: example checklists
Important: these checklists are for informational purposes only, they may not correspond to your mission and are by no means exhaustive.
Standard TAP gear bag / Alpha Bag (approx. 20 kg)
Clothing
- Sports gear (shoes + outfit)
- Laces / Rangers maintenance kit
- Swimsuit
- Second belt
- Second pair of Rangers (adapted to the theater)
- Second set of fatigues (UBAS, jacket, pants)
- Underwear, socks (in case the B bag gets lost)
- Civilian clothes
- Flip-flops / sandals
Sleeping gear / Hygiene
- Patch glue if inflatable mattress
- Hammock
- Waterproof-breathable over-bag
- Ground pad / inflatable mattress
- Hygiene / Medical
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, 2 toothbrushes, razor, deodorant, nail clipper, tweezers, lip balm, sunscreen, anti-malarial treatment, mirror)
- Laundry detergent / Marseille soap, flexible basin
- Tissues, toilet paper
- Laundry bag, pins, cord
- Towel
- Mosquito net, mosquito repellent
- Toiletry bag
Combat protections / Weapon accessories
- Tactical vest
- Ballistic mask
- Magazine pouches / pockets
- Holster
- HK416 / Glock 17 accessories
*Some accessories may be shipped with the weaponry.
Other equipment
- Flashlight
- Alarm clock (in addition to the phone)
- Water bladder / Canteen
- Foldable wardrobe
Backpack +60L / Bravo Bag (approx. 20 kg)
Administrative
- Office supplies (pen, paper, envelopes, stamps, transparent pockets, folder, markers, etc.)
- Charger, batteries, adapter, extension cord
- Tactical belt
- Blister-resistant socks
- UBAS shirt
- Headgear (beret, bush hat, beanie...)
- Tactical gloves
- Fatigue pants
- Underwear
- T-shirts
- Fatigue jacket
- Softshell jacket
- Sleeping bag liner
- Inflatable pillow
- Poncho liner
- Sleeping bag
- Knee pads / Elbow pads
- Protective glasses
- Hearing protection
- Candle, lighter (even if you don't smoke)
- Pocket knife
- Mess kit
- Fire starter / stove
- Sewing kit
- Camouflage cream
- Headlamp
- Padlock
- ISTC strap
- Weapon maintenance kit
Cabin bag / Charlie Bag (approx. 8 kg)
This is your "cabin bag," the luggage that will stay with you throughout the journey and will allow you to manage if a transit delay occurs. Therefore, pay attention to cabin size and security guidelines (no knives, containers less than 100 ml, etc.)
Administrative- Opex file (passport, military ID, photos, certificates, customs declaration…)
- Computer / tablet, hard drive, USB stick
- Wallet (cash...)
- Pen
- Mobile phone + charger
- Cap
- Shemagh
- Underwear for 48h
- 1 microfiber towel
- Mini pharmacy (paracetamol, Imodium, bandages, anti-malarial…)
- Toiletries under 100 ml
- Tissues
- Rank insignia, badge, blood group ID
- Sunglasses
- Snacks, energy bars
- Padlock