USMC Force Recon SK!

[Sarge47]

I've priced these up to $125, been wanting one for awhile, and just ordered one from the vendor listed here for around 60 bucks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271137086982

For the story on this, check this site out:

http://www.donrearic.com/usmcskit.html :detective:

[hunter63]

Kinda cool, like the idea of tearing the package in half and carrying it in the pants pockets.......less 'hangy" stuff.
Thanks, nice find.

[Sarge47]

All the components are great! Even the wire saw, which I don't usually like! :tt1:

[kyratshooter]

Just showed this to the SIL that was a front line Marine.

It must be new. He had never heard of the kit, had never seen one and had never heard of the 7 items in the pocket regulation and he was front line combat with 2MEU for two tours.

He sort of laughed at the thought of a Marine being detatched from his unit and alone and needing a survival kit. Even force recon. His statement being, "It just don't happen!".

The Marines are famous for developing equipment, doing massive PR on it, requiring it, and never issuing it.

This is one of those items that appears to be worth the $60 you paid if the items in the kit are good quality issue items. The 4 blade pocket knife alone goes for about $20. The compass is probably another $10, and the other assorted trinkets are probably worth $30 total.

[Seniorman]

I have a friend who was a Marine in a recon platoon -- not Force Recon -- who fought in Vietnam. Once we were talking about "survival" etc., and I asked him if he carried a "survival kit" during his all-expenses-paid year long vacation in balmy, sunswept southeast Asia?

He said, "Sure did. An M16, twelve magazines and a radio."

Sounds like a plan.

S.M.

[Sarge47]

Just showed this to the SIL that was a front line Marine.

It must be new. He had never heard of the kit, had never seen one and had never heard of the 7 items in the pocket regulation and he was front line combat with 2MEU for two tours.

He sort of laughed at the thought of a Marine being detatched from his unit and alone and needing a survival kit. Even force recon. His statement being, "It just don't happen!".

The Marines are famous for developing equipment, doing massive PR on it, requiring it, and never issuing it.

This is one of those items that appears to be worth the $60 you paid if the items in the kit are good quality issue items. The 4 blade pocket knife alone goes for about $20. The compass is probably another $10, and the other assorted trinkets are probably worth $30 total.

Here's the value of most of the items that I found on E-Bay:

Doan Magnesium Block.(better quality thatn the others) $10
Starflash Signal mirror. $10
"Demo" pocket knife. $30 with S/H
Emergency Fishing kit. $30
3 pint capacity water bag, $20
Hurricane matches.(stay lit even underwater.)
Brunto "Smoke Chaser" Compass.(originally issued to the forestry service fire-fighters.) $15
Emergency Whistle. $.75 to $3
Wire Saw with extra blade. $20
Snare Wire. $11
Voitive candle. $4
Your life. Priceless!

Total around $150, Even if you discount it $50 it's still a bargain.

As far as to it's authenticity, each component is identified by a National Stock Number(NSN), including the two zip-lock bags(?):

Side A: Shelter and Food Gathering Side:
Fishing Kit, Emergency 4220-00-244-0764
Saw, Finger Ring 5110-00-70-6896
Survival Blanket 7210-00-935-6666
Plastic Bag, Zip-Lock 8105-00-837-7755
Candle, Votive 9925-00-202-4417
Snare Wire 9525-00-59-63498
Side B: Escape and Evasion (E & E) Side:
Fire Starter, Magnesium 4240-01-160-5618
Knife, Pocket 5110-00-162-2205
Signalling Mirror 6350-00-105-1252
Compass, Smoke Chaser 6605-00-553-87-95
Plastic Bag, Zip-Lock 8105-00-837-7756
Whistle, Extreme Cold 8465-01-278-6982
Water Bag, Drinking 8466-00-634-4499
Matches, Waterproof 9920-01-191-3434

I find it very interesting. :detective:

[hunter63]

I find it interesting to see what the military minds consider as a SK, and I'm sure that components are a "get what you pay for" situation.

I also find it interesting that there is no paracord or Altoids can listed....I have led to believe you don't even go get the mail with out them?

[Sarge47]

I find it interesting to see what the military minds consider as a SK, and I'm sure that components are a "get what you pay for" situation.

I also find it interesting that there is no paracord or Altoids can listed....I have led to believe you don't even go get the mail with out them?

I don't know about the para cord, but Altoids wasn't around in 1991. :laugh:

[Sarge47]

The USAF Survival kit was really cheap! And the one for submariners was really rough; It was just a piece of paper that read: "In case of emergency while submerged hold your breath!" :stuart:

[Sarge47]

Two other thigs to consider:

1.) Bear Grylls' name is not on it anywhere!

2.) Ruth Hawke thinks men that carry this are hot! :w00t:

[hunter63]

Just ordered two.......

[Sarge47]

For the same 50 bucks you can get this SK:

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gerber-Bear-Grylls-Survival-Series-Ultimate-Kit&i=442678&str=bear+grylls&merchID=4005 :2:

[Sarge47]

I received my USMC Force Recon SK today and have posted a review of it on my blog! :detective: