My Son In Iraq Needs A Picking Tool

[SFGOON]

Assuming the availability of the A-10 Thunderbolt. If there's not a lot of tanks, you'd be hard pressed to find an A-10 at all. If there ARE tanks, the last thing the hog drivers are on is door duty...

[walrus]

I agree with SFGOON, and disagree with everybody else. (With exceptions, don’t be offended.)
He may WANT lock picks, but in no way NEEDS them. I have never even heard of a scenario where you will pick locks, unless you are Special Forces, then you already have the tools you need. Along with the rest of our military, they all have what they NEED. Some soldiers want more armor, or newer guns (reminds me of the old joke "don’t forget, your rifle was made by the lowest bidder"), or don’t even want to go. Its war, quit your bitchin! you know what you were singing up for. Our fighting men and women have what they need, and are the best. you can also sure as hell bet their not going up against any sand monkeys with better equipment. Lock picks are not used in "night raids" or any raid for that matter. SOP is kicking in the door, battering ram, shaped explosives (no, not that kind), or going in a window. Sometimes we knock first, if they don’t open the door then we kick it in. And sometimes we just let ourselves in. He is on the fast track to getting himself and his comrades killed. Tell him the only lock pick he needs is his m16a2 and his boondockers, and not to confuse cover with concealment.

[MrB]

Walrus is right in concept, but wrong in reality. It is not war at the moment, it is a peacekeeping operation. The forces in Iraq are attempting to restore order to a country currently in chaos. Iraq is full of ordinary people trying to go about their lives in extremely trying circumstances, living in conditions that the average American could scarely imagine. The last thing those people need is a bunch of foreign soldiers kicking in their doors and blowing up their houses.

As we enter the holiday season here in the West, with shops full of food and luxuries, peace and stability on our streets, try to remember those less fortunate, living in daily fear, many of whom have lost wives, husbands and children.

[don-the-pick]

get him some from walmart

[D_Shane]

Along with the rest of our military, they all have what they NEED. Some soldiers want more armor, or newer guns (reminds me of the old joke "don’t forget, your rifle was made by the lowest bidder"), or don’t even want to go. Its war, quit your bitchin! you know what you were singing up for. Our fighting men and women have what they need

First, before you jump to conclusions, relaying on what you've "heard" maybe you should sign up. They DON'T have what they need, but thet may be only an opinion. See, as a corpsman, I and alot of others DID NOT have flack jackets...but from your point of view I might not have needed it. A corpsman is a medical person after all, and since technically according to the Geneval Convention are "protected against attack" why would they need one? Because we are one of they primary targets, along with OIC and radiomen. Maybe you think the jacket isn't equipment. Ok then, how about 4 out of 20 being issued night vision. We ALL don't have to see in the dark right?
That's only mentions what I didn't have, that doesn't include some of the others. By the way, every try to load a 45 with 9mm rounds? Both issued to me, since they were short.
Possibly you were only referring to entry tools. Well, you should have mentioned that. As your post is written it seems as though your only information is 3rd, 4th, 5th handed...ie. a friend of a friend knew someone, or you read it somewhere. I suggest you grab a weapon and stand a post so you can see what reality is.

First hand knowledge.. First hand knowledge

[walrus]

I have enlisted. Im an e2 5811 with the USMC. I have not gone yet. but all of my information is from people who have been there. I dont know about the other branches, but every marine is going fully equipped and fully trained. A friend of mine who just returned from fallujah with a purple heart owes his life to his flack jacket and kevlar.
and back on the subject of entry he said that every time he took part in an entry the door was opened with a prybar, apparently a lot of homes have those steel security doors.

[SFGOON]

I myself am an Army O-1E with Special Forces qualification and some experience abroad. I've seen a lot of what D is talking about, even with Marines, and it's an unfortunate situation. There's a great degree of difference between gear that is "servicable" (frayed, worn out, rattling, etc.) and in good, reliable condition. A lot of the time, good gear goes bad out there, and there's nothing anyone can do to replace it. I myself had to rig my M-4A3 with some nylon ties for a few weeks - that was scary, I couldn't rely on my rifle. (I was doing a LRRP) When you go to Iraq, your gear will wear down fast. Take good care of it, be retentive especailly with your weapon, LISTEN TO YOUR NCOs, and do your very best to assist your commrades in arms. But I don't need to say that to a Marine, do I?

[D_Shane]

As a marine you'll have plenty on interaction with those other branches, especially the Navy. Since there is no medical field in the Marines, it is the corpsman that will be there. Once you go through FMF you ARE a Marine. Same supplies and equipment, including jackets. Although still designated as Navy, ask any Marine if Doc is a Marine or Navy man.

[Buggs41]

The Marine Corps is a branch of the Department of the Navy. I was never on foot in the middle of the battle field, nor would I ever want to. The Marines that go through this type of battle deserve the very best equipment available.

If they need new equipment, it should be provided to them.

[reboot_zero]

About a week ago my son sent me a letter. Explaining how his squad, and himself could benefit from using some lock picks. He sometimes goes on night raids, so he needs something fast and reliable that will open doors, locks etc… very fast. I have done a little research about the basics of lock picking. And have concluded that getting picks for him would be too time consuming for him (learning how to lock pick), and take too much time in battle. What I was thinking of getting him was an Electric Pick, or a Flip-It Tool (Plug Spinner), or a LockAid Pick Gun. This is where I need some advice which one should I buy for him.

Thank You, for your comments
Mark

If I were your son, and know about the work that is involved with picking a lock, I would probably attempt to find an alternative for "quick" jobs. I mean, we aren't really talking about someone's past time here...but someone, and most likely, the squad's lives.

I recommend the new 10.8V lithium ion Dremel, and a tapered carbon steel cutter such as this one. These particular cutters recieve a 9 score for cutting hardened steel...so cutting brass in a matter of a couple of seconds shouldn't really even be a thought. I really don't know specifics, like if it has to be quite, and stuff like that. But if speed and success is the number one priority, I recommend it. And he could perhaps pick up wood carving .

Good luck on finding something that will assist him.

[raimundo]

When I was at Lai Khe in 1969, lockpicks were handy for liberating jeeps from saigon MP's, there are a lot of things in a war zone that have to be liberated, In Viet Nam, there were two supply chains, one for USARV and another for MAGV. Liberating supplies was the norm. (US army vietnam, and Military Assistance Group, vietnam) Also trading with the Magv types like special forces, or the spooks, (three letter orgs, DIA CIA whatever.) I can imagine that the Dyncorp types and other mercenaries have some nice stuff that gyrines would want.

[captainsawdust]

About a week ago my son sent me a letter. Explaining how his squad, and himself could benefit from using some lock picks. He sometimes goes on night raids, so he needs something fast and reliable that will open doors, locks etc… very fast. I have done a little research about the basics of lock picking. And have concluded that getting picks for him would be too time consuming for him (learning how to lock pick), and take too much time in battle. What I was thinking of getting him was an Electric Pick, or a Flip-It Tool (Plug Spinner), or a LockAid Pick Gun. This is where I need some advice which one should I buy for him.

Thank You, for your comments
Mark

If I were your son, and know about the work that is involved with picking a lock, I would probably attempt to find an alternative for "quick" jobs. I mean, we aren't really talking about someone's past time here...but someone, and most likely, the squad's lives.

I recommend the new 10.8V lithium ion Dremel, and a tapered carbon steel cutter such as this one. These particular cutters recieve a 9 score for cutting hardened steel...so cutting brass in a matter of a couple of seconds shouldn't really even be a thought. I really don't know specifics, like if it has to be quite, and stuff like that. But if speed and success is the number one priority, I recommend it. And he could perhaps pick up wood carving .

Good luck on finding something that will assist him.

This may be quiker than a dremel :

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/pro ... %20Cutters

[reboot_zero]

About a week ago my son sent me a letter. Explaining how his squad, and himself could benefit from using some lock picks. He sometimes goes on night raids, so he needs something fast and reliable that will open doors, locks etc… very fast. I have done a little research about the basics of lock picking. And have concluded that getting picks for him would be too time consuming for him (learning how to lock pick), and take too much time in battle. What I was thinking of getting him was an Electric Pick, or a Flip-It Tool (Plug Spinner), or a LockAid Pick Gun. This is where I need some advice which one should I buy for him.

Thank You, for your comments
Mark

If I were your son, and know about the work that is involved with picking a lock, I would probably attempt to find an alternative for "quick" jobs. I mean, we aren't really talking about someone's past time here...but someone, and most likely, the squad's lives.

I recommend the new 10.8V lithium ion Dremel, and a tapered carbon steel cutter such as this one. These particular cutters recieve a 9 score for cutting hardened steel...so cutting brass in a matter of a couple of seconds shouldn't really even be a thought. I really don't know specifics, like if it has to be quite, and stuff like that. But if speed and success is the number one priority, I recommend it. And he could perhaps pick up wood carving .

Good luck on finding something that will assist him.

This may be quiker than a dremel :

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/pro ... %20Cutters

...holy crap man. Can you imagine sitting at a table, and one of your worries is someone picking the locks and killing you? Then you hear a chainsaw sound and sparks fly through the door as all these mofos run in with cutter in one hand and AR's in the other x_x ....

[pick_maker]

From experience, Supply 76Y MOS, I know if the item is not in your TOE you don't get it and Supply ain't gonna order it unless the commander wants it and then Batallion might overrule his/her request.

With frequent adaptations to the Iraq war plan, which is now nation building, a consideration just might be that US forces aren't able to resupply civilian residences with the locks just pried open by US troops. Looks a little stupid, and won't help gain local intel for us to destroy locks, the search turns up cold and then leave not restoring security to the residence. Picking the lock makes prudent sense.

So, LP101 members, how does MrB you get lock picks to his son in Iraq? I would take this to the press- In light of the armored Hummer press conference. Not to cap on Rumsfeld or the war plan, but this would speed the process along.

I'll make it plain for you lurking reporters at the next Rumsfeld/Pentagon Q&A:

"The mission in Iraq is now nation building and it is safe to say locksmithing is a world-wide occupation so, why doesn't the Army have any locksmiths or lock-opening trained troops?"

[pick_maker]

no, no, no, no...not MrB. I meant ...how does golfer15 get lock picks to his son...