Comments were almost all positive. However, many soldiers said they fog easily when you are sweating and the lenses scratch. ESS goggles were a vast improvement over WSD goggles but it is still uncomfortable to wear prescription glasses beneath the goggles.
Helmet: Comments on the current Kevlar were few because most soldiers were aware of the ACH although none had been issued yet. In general, the expectation was that the ACH would be more comfortable.
Situational Awareness
AN/PVS-14: We received mainly positive comments about these NVGs for units that had them. In general, soldiers agree that they are a vast improvement both in terms of comfort and performance over the PVS-7 variants. The negative comments revolved around the helmet mount and the battery compartment. The swing arm and the detent button on the mount were frequent points of failure. Soldiers recommended constructing these components of a sturdier material. The battery compartment cover fails frequently and requires the entire sight to be turned in. Soldiers recommended a separate battery case possibly to reduce the cost of repair.
Damaged Battery Case on PVS-14
AN/PAS-13: Feedback on the medium thermal weapon sight varied greatly depending on whether the feedback came from the mechanized or light communities. The mechanized elements had all positive comments. They felt the clarity of the TWS outperformed the M2A2 sight in most cases. However, the light soldiers felt the TWS was too fragile and heavy for offensive operations. They would use for defensive operations. Other concerns were the availability of the TWS battery and how quickly it consumed batteries.
Also, the sight blurs when you move it. Soldiers recommended a tripod for observation.
The Rapid Equipping Force provided a hand-held thermal viewer, the Raytheon X1, to the 101st. The 82d was aware and expressed a desire for a hand-held thermal viewer also.
Commercial GPS: As is widely known, many soldiers purchase their own GPS systems rather than use the PLGR. The Rhino was provided to the 82d as part of the rapid fielding initiative. Overall, soldiers were very appreciative of this addition to their MTOE. The Rhino was a vast improvement over the PLGR because of the weight, volume, power consumption and performance - the Rhino consistently acquired satellites faster than the PLGR. However, the soldiers stated they did not use the communications capabilities of the Rhino, at least not extensively, because it was not secure and consumed batteries too quickly in this mode.
Squad Communications: Based on the feedback, I believe this is the area that requires the greatest attention by the Acquisition community. Soldiers have no confidence in the ICOM radios. The range was unsatisfactory. Everyone had a Motorola-type hand-held radio that had vastly better range and power performance. Soldiers purchased handsets and longer antennas for their ICOM radios.
Whether mechanized or light, communications at the squad level is problematic. Mechanized leaders told us they needed a way for squads to communicate back to the platforms and with each other once they dismounted. Light leaders had the same concern with communicating with geographically separated squads operating independently in urban terrain. Soldiers had MBITR radios at company and platoon level. They feel the MBITR is a good solution for the squad but could be lighter/smaller.
Commander's Digital Assistant: Leaders agree there is a need for this type of device in the light infantry formation. The laptop variant of the CDA was very well received. However, the PDA variant was less so. The problems with this variant were mainly a function of timing. Soldiers at the company and below level were very busy with activities associated with combat operations and had less time to learn the interface than their peers on battalion and higher