- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Messages
- 1,238
I know that there's no predicting deployments, but as others have pointed out already, the expectations of a medic can vary a lot. My wife is a 68X (mental health specialist) in the Army Reserve, whose unit is attached to whatever larger medical unit needs people to fill that role. She deployed in 2012, and leading up to that, everything about her expected deployment - when, where, even the mission itself - changed a great deal in a very short period of time. Fortunately (for my peace of mind, anyway) that meant that she ended up stationed at a military hospital rather than some FOB, but that means different expectations. Now granted, her MOS and the realistic duties it calls for don't place much emphasis on equipment, but she was issued everything but the proverbial kitchen sink, including some last minute additions to her standard gear. She was issued a Gerber multi-tool, but usually used a Kershaw Drone of mine that she borrowed, or a Spyderco Econony/Standard that she traded for. The Kershaw was the most convenient letter/box opener, and was more than enough knife. Had she ended up in some other setting, the Gerber might have seen more use.
If your (OP) buddy is in a combat zone, he may find himself needing a knife that deploys quickly. He may need one that can take a lot of abuse. Or, he too might end up at an installation where he never has to cut anything more than tape on a care package. I think the suggestions of two knives make the most sense, or at least one that is suitable for pocket carry and has grip material that can perform with wet hands or wearing gloves. He will already have a multi-tool, one that is frankly too big and bulky for pocket carry. If it was me, I would want something that could be deployed with either thumb studs or a flipper, with fairly aggressive G10 or similar. A lot of folks don't like serrations, but they may come in handy if cutting through some stubborn material in a stressful situation. Something with a fine point, maybe even a tanto, would offer some capabilities that most of us don't usually consider when picking out a knife. Remember, the idea of EDC could mean just about anything to a medic, or any soldier.
If your (OP) buddy is in a combat zone, he may find himself needing a knife that deploys quickly. He may need one that can take a lot of abuse. Or, he too might end up at an installation where he never has to cut anything more than tape on a care package. I think the suggestions of two knives make the most sense, or at least one that is suitable for pocket carry and has grip material that can perform with wet hands or wearing gloves. He will already have a multi-tool, one that is frankly too big and bulky for pocket carry. If it was me, I would want something that could be deployed with either thumb studs or a flipper, with fairly aggressive G10 or similar. A lot of folks don't like serrations, but they may come in handy if cutting through some stubborn material in a stressful situation. Something with a fine point, maybe even a tanto, would offer some capabilities that most of us don't usually consider when picking out a knife. Remember, the idea of EDC could mean just about anything to a medic, or any soldier.
