what happens when you arrive for basic training

[mfat_man]

do you have to carry all of the kit you own in the bergan at all times?

Mark

This has to be post of the year

To be honest I didn't have a good time with my rucksack duiring basic training I had an older Army issue with the straps, had not used it before I went to Lichfield and it kept falling apart

As soon as I joined my unit I bought a decent Berghaus, a lot easier to use

[Spooky]

Handbag? As in, short back?

Capacity of both sizes of issue bergans is the same, as far as I'm aware, the long back version is thinner and for short blokes like me, a nightmare. I swapped mine for a short back in the first two weeks of starting training, never had a problem since.

Nope - not a shortback. Imagine a longback, then where the tops of the pouches are is where the pack itself stops also. Its got a zip along the top as opposed the flap or drawstring on the short and longbacks and well, handles akin to a handbag..!

Here's a pic of one:
http://www.army-shop.cz/images/products/Jun01293.JPG

[darrenrugby18]

is when you f#$k up a locker inspection and get the joy of carrying the contents for a whole day, including phys

LOL druadan, RT sounds like fun!...lol we had a an ex marine teacher at school, n when we used to go on camps with the school if our mess tins wern't clean we had to tie them round our neck and carry them all day. not quite the same as a bergen but i understand where he gets it from now, haha.

[druadan]

Spooky, looks like a tank bergan to me, not had any experience with them tho, only time I've actually seen them was in cadets years and years ago So no comment.

RT is fun lads...just remember, you have the joy of the unit afterwards

[dwarfy]

Handbag? As in, short back?

Capacity of both sizes of issue bergans is the same, as far as I'm aware, the long back version is thinner and for short blokes like me, a nightmare. I swapped mine for a short back in the first two weeks of starting training, never had a problem since.

Argh, sounds like a bergen made in heaven, why was i never informed of such a creature?

I,m 5ft 4, and was a biff at yomping. I will certainly be on the hunt for one of these when i get back to CTC.

[RS250-Squid]

It's primary use is to knacker the back and shoulders of the user, secondarily to transport all the kit required to survive and fight in the field...

You got that right!
I hated mine with a passion!

[Spooky]

Handbag? As in, short back?

Capacity of both sizes of issue bergans is the same, as far as I'm aware, the long back version is thinner and for short blokes like me, a nightmare. I swapped mine for a short back in the first two weeks of starting training, never had a problem since.

Argh, sounds like a bergen made in heaven, why was i never informed of such a creature?

I,m 5ft 4, and was a biff at yomping. I will certainly be on the hunt for one of these when i get back to CTC.

Good luck fitting your kit into it when you've lost a third of your capacity...

[dwarfy]

Does Druadan not say that he believes the capacity of both bergans is the same?

[Spooky]

Does Druadan not say that he believes the capacity of both bergans is the same?

I certainly dont concour. Maybe its something to do with the shape but I had a seriously hard time trying to fit my kit into it when forced to use one through my recruit course.

I ended up actually using the stuff bag for the issue sleeping bag, to get that down to a size reasonable enough to fit everything else into the thing.

Not only that, if you are used to using your fullsize as a means of squishing down your sleeping bag, forget it. With no straps to use, and a zip to fight closed its a nightmare.

EDIT: http://www.silvermans.co.uk/silver/docs ... bergen.htm

They are 75 liters + side pouches (30 liters)

The full size is 125 liters complete with side pouchs, and you got the top pouch on the lid & the small pouch at the bottom.

[RS250-Squid]

Given a choice I'd rather use one of the more advanced sleeping bags on the market. Same warmth and protection from the elements in a package 25% of the size.
At least that's what they're advertised as having, though I have to admit, I haven't slept in one yet.