I have too much time at the moment
, so I thought, I could start a style guide for the German Army. As the KSK style guide, I'll try to maintain and expand this in the future.Uniform
Let's start with some basics - the camo. There is a whole lot of Flecktarn stuff out there. About 85% you can immediately forget about. The Bundeswehr has technical specs, called "Technische Lieferbedingungen" or "TL". When you buy gear, make sure, the fabric is accourding to those TL ("gemäß TL"). If you don't find the information, check the colors. Real Flecktarn does not have very intense colors and the shapes are clearly defined. Some examples:
Good (original Bundeswehr Gore-Tex)
Good (original Bundeswehr Boonie)
Good (original Bundeswehr Field Cap)
Good (Multi Design KSK Chestrig)
Bad - colors to intensive and flow into each other (Combatkit Multifunction Pouch)
Bad - colors to intensive and flow into each other (Combatkit .223 Double Mag Pouches)
Using self-bought stuff in bad quality is usually tolerated in the Army if you don't take it too far. But there is no way, that this stuff is ever issued or used by special units. Mostly Bundeswehr conscripts which want to be a bit more "individual" buy this stuff and use it nowadays.
The next thing is the rank insignia. If you use enlisted ranks, make sure, the bars point to front outside. If you use NCO ranks, remember, the round and/or the arrows always point to the inside, i.e. your head. The only official and legal rank insignia for greens are white on OD in peacetime and black on OD in real missions abroad - as long as you don't anyway take the rank insignia away on a mission! Anything printed on Flecktarn is not legal according to the uniform regulations although it is widely common and tolerated in battle units.
Here are all ranks:
- Wikipedia
And here are all basic official uniform variations.
- Official Bundeswehr brochure
Gear
The only gear which is generally used at the moment is the standard System 95 LBE ("Koppeltragegestell"). The IdZ-system is currently only given to very little units like paras, mob infantry, RDF/QRF and to units on missions abroad. For high risk areas there is the Mehler Bristol or lately an IdZ vest by Mehler with integrated plate carrier. The KSK has some additional options - see KSK style guide.
Weapons
Standard weapon is the G36. Some units still have the G3.
G36K and C are only used by Mobile / Armored Infantry and Jumping units like Paras and KSK.
Vehicle personnel uses the MP2 (Uzi) or the MP7 as a primary weapon.
Medics use the P1 (P38) or the P8 as primary weapon for self defense (unless they are vehicle personnel). All others use the P1 or the P8 as secondary weapon.
Military Police Special Units also uses the P7 and the MP5K. KSK has almost free choice - see KSK style guide.
Precision shooters / snipers use G22 and G82
