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I have a confession to make. It is rather embarrassing, but I feel it is time I come clean. My wife has known about this, and while she is supportive most of the time, occasionally, in my moments of weakness, she gets upset with me. I don’t blame her, I know I have a problem, but I cannot help myself, and I’m not sure there is even anyplace I can get professional help…

You see, I am addicted to backpacks. In fact, and type of carrying container made from cotton or nylon catches my eye. And if it has MOLLE straps on it, the attraction becomes even worse. In short, I buy up packs like a women buys up shoes.

So in feeding my habit, I LOVE any store with military goods. In particular, I love military surplus stores. I spent over half a decade in the US Air Force, so I have an affinity towards all thing military. The thought of “military and “surplus” used together makes my head swim…visions of inexpensive packs, bags, and other gear makes my head swim….

So while on a road trip last week with RidgeRunner, we were able to stop in at a military surplus store right outside of Camp Lejeune, made famous by the US Marines. I cannot say any bad about my Brothers in Arms, what they do, they do very well. And they take it VERY seriously. So a military surplus store right outside THAT base, should be chock full of great things…and it is.

However, in perusing the aisles, I found a problem with the label of “military surplus. 

Yes, the items are mostly military in nature. And there were some surplus items. However, there were far more items that were NOT issue items, but rather some semblance of a military item…And while most of the items were of good (or even great) quality, they were NOT military, or surplus.

Old military surplus is exactly that, items from old stock, made for (and sometimes used by) the military, be it our country, or some other country. When the items get worn out, or are phased out for some reason, they were collected into large lots, then sold off to the highest bidder. Some of the items were used harshly, others could be brand new, having never seen any use.

Either way, they were older items, and were absolutely an item that could be or would have been used by a military force. 

Not so anymore, it seems. Gone are the days of finding decon kits. Having been phased out years ago, the supply mostly dried up. These were great little waterproof containers, the 1950’s and 60’s version of the Altoids tin.

Jungle boots, the kind with canvas sides, are also disappearing, along with lots of other WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam era military gear. Their replacements in these so called “surplus” stores are new gear made by the likes of 5.11, Condor, and Maxpedition. Again, some of it is great stuff…..but much is not military…and none is surplus.

Sadly, we are quickly losing the ability to find pieces of equipment that have history as well as lots of useful life left, and all at a decent price.

For us, at least on this trip, RidgeRunner was able to find an old canvas map case to be used as a shoulder bag, priced at $10, a true piece of history.

I ended up with a Condor Sidekick pouch ($16) and a small utility go-bag ($16), both new gear. Both new, in plastic wrappers, and cheaper at Amazon….and while they had no colorful history like RR’s bag, at least they fed my addiction…

Peace,
db

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