Uniforms & Gear

As living historians portraying paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, new recruits are highly encouraged (though not required nor limited) to all of the following. Naturally, reenacting is an expensive hobby. Do not feel obligated to buy everything at the same time. Accumulating the necessary gear is often a multi-year process - but completely worth it.

Uniform and Gear Guide Key:

OL denotes use only for Operation Overlord

MG denotes use only for Operation Market Garden

* denotes non-requirement

82nd Airborne uniform

Combat Clothing

Coat, Parachute Jumper, M42 (Re-enforced*) OL 
Trousers, Jumper, Parachute, M42 (Re-enforced*) OL

Jacket, Field, M43 [with 48-Star Flag Armband*] MG

Trousers, M43 (Modified) MG

Boots, Jumper, Parachute or Boots, Service, Combat MG

Shirt, Wool, Mustard, Special (gas proof feature) with 101st Airborne patch

Trousers, Wool, OD, Special*

Socks, Cotton, OD3 or Socks, Cushion-sole*

Boxers, Cotton, OD3*

Undershirt, OD7* or T-shirt, White*

Suspenders, Trousers and/or Belt, Waist, M37 with open-face buckle

Tags, Identification, Notched and neck chain with S-hooks

G.I. helmet with netting.

Field Equipment

Helmet, M2 with liner and leather chin cup

Helmet Net, 1/2” weave pattern [with burlap scrim OL]

Bag, Canvas, Field, M36

Suspenders, Belt, M36 [with brown felt shoulder pads*]

Cover, Canteen, M10 or M41 (Modified)

Canteen, M10 or M41

Cup, Canteen, M10 OL or M42

Pouch, First Aid, M24 [with Bandage, Carlisle, M41 in tin] or M42 [with Bandage, Carlisle, M43 in box]

Tool, Entrenching, T-Handle, M10 OL or Tool, Entrenching, Folding, M43 [with appropriate cover]

Thompson sub-machine gun, etc.

Weapons and Related Items 

(Choose one primary and two secondary.)

Primary Options:

Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 [with M3 combination tool*, oiler*, grease pot*, and M1907 Sling]

Bayonet, M1 and Scabbard*

Belt, Cartridge, M23 or Belt, Pistol, M36 with Pouches, Rigger, M1 (3-4)

Bandoleer, Ammunition, M1 (2)*

Bag, Spare ammunition, M1*

Container, Rifle, Individual, Aerial delivery, 1st pattern, (Modified 1st pattern Griswold bag)*

Carbine, Caliber .30, M1A1 [with OD3 web sling and oiler]

Belt, Pistol, M36 with M1 Carbine Pouches (2) or Pouches, Rigger, M1 (2)

Bandoleer, Ammunition, M1*

Scabbard, Carbine, M1A1 (standard or rigger modified)*

Rifle, Caliber .30, M1903A4 (sniper variant with scope)

Belt, Cartridge, M23

Bandoleer, Ammunition, M1 (2)*

Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, Thompson

Pouch, Magazine, 5-cell, Thompson (2) or Pouches, Rigger, Magazine, Submachine Gun (2)

Bag, Spare Magazine, Submachine Gun*

Container, Aerial Delivery, Submachine Gun*

Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3

Belt, Pistol, M36 with Pouches, Rigger, Magazine, Submachine Gun (2)

Bag, Spare magazine, Submachine Gun*

Rifle, Caliber .30, Automatic, Browning, M1918

Belt, Magazine, B.A.R, M37

Secondary Options:

Pistol, Automatic, Caliber .45, M1911A1

Holster, Hip, M1916 or Holster, Shoulder, M3

Pouch, Magazine, Pistol, Caliber .45

Knife, Fighting, M3 [with M6 or M8 Scabbard]

Knife, Pocket, M2 [with para-cord lanyard]

Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, MKII*

Grenade, Hand, Anti-tank, No. 75 (Hawkins Mine)

Grenade, No. 82 (Gammon Bomb)*

WWII U.S. weaponry in camp.

Miscellaneous Field Gear

Armband, Gas Detection

Bag, Duffel or Barracks Bag

Bag, Leg, M44

Blanket, Wool, M34 or Bag, Sleeping, Half-zip, M44

Cricket OL

Compass, Wrist with leather strap

D, Ration (emergency chocolate ration)

Disc, Helmet, Luminous

Gloves, Riding, Horsehide, M38

Goggles, M43 or M44

Kit, Mess, M42 with fork, knife, and spoon

Map Pouch, Escape and Evasion

Mask, Gas, M5 with M7 Rubberized Assault Bag

Packet, First Aid, Invasion

Parachute, T5 OL or T7 MG with reserve parachute

Poncho, Canvas, Rubberized, OD7

Rations, K (Breakfast, Dinner, Supper)

Rope, Let-down, Paratrooper

Scarf, Identification

SCR 300 (Walki-Talki)

SCR 536 (Handi-Talki)

Half, Shelter, OD3 [with 1folding pole, 5 wooden stakes, and 1 cotton rope]

Vest, Life, Pneumatic, B4

WINTER CLOTHING

Cap, Wool Knit, M41

Gloves, Wool, OD, Leather Palm

Overcoat, Wool Melton, OD

Sweater, Pullover, Wool, High Neck, 5-button

Scarf, Neck, Wool

Socks, Wool, OD

DRESS UNIFORMS

Early-Mid War

Coat, Dress, Wool, M37 [with 101st Airborne patch & appropriate rank]

Shirt, Wool, Dress, Enlisted, M37 [with 101st Airborne patch & appropriate rank]

Trousers, Dress, Wool, M37 with M37 waist belt and open-face buckle

Cap, Overseas, Wool, OD7 [with light-blue parachute patch]

Tie, Neck, Cotton, OD3

Socks, Cotton, OD3 or Cushion-sole socks

Boots, Jumper, Parachute

The Class A Uniform: Suitable for all classy events--including college graduation!