Kit Up is a military gear blog that reports on the changes -- both good and bad -- to combat gear, including guns, magazines, packs, knives and other essential kit. Our focus is on the weapons, ammunition and equipment that U.S. Army and Marine Corps infantry and U.S. Special Operations forces carry into the fight.

Most Recent Posts

New Info Out on Purchasing Army Surplus 1911 .45s

The Civilian Marksmanship Program has released the much anticipated instructions for purchasing U.S. Army surplus 1911 .45 au...

Soldiers Take Top Honors at Marine Scout Sniper Course

Two soldiers recently outshot their Marine classmates in one of the Marine Corps' most challenging schools.

Dunford Pushes Services to Move Faster on Body Armor Fitted for Women

The services have to speed up the process of getting body armor fitted for female troops into the field, Dunford said.

Marines Unveil New Drone Operator Badge Design

The newest approved breast insignia for Marine officers and enlisted troops is here and ready to be worn.

SecAF Asks Airmen for Opinion on OCP Uniform, Tries It Out Herself

Wilson changed into an OCP-pattern uniform before attending a mission demonstration by an AFSOC special tactics team.

Marines Want Lightweight .50 Caliber Machine Gun Ammo

The Marine Corps wants a 30 percent weight savings over existing linked belts of .50 caliber ammo.

Marines Buy Thousands of M27 Rifles At Bargain Price

The contract was awarded to H&K in Ashburn, Virginia, to supply the service with as many as 15,000 M27 IARs and spare parts.

Army Awards Contract for Locator Beacons to Find Missing Soldiers

The Army awarded a contract to McMurdo Inc. for personnel recovery devices that can be used to pinpoint missing soldiers.

Lawmakers Want Army to Re-Dye Old Camouflage Uniforms With New Pattern

The Army is transitioning to the OCP uniform in 2019, but the service still possesses a inventory of UCP products.

Marines Want a Man-Portable System That Fires Kamikaze Drones

The Marine Corps is asking for proposals on a portable system that can fire high-tech attack and recon drones on the go.

Lawmaker: Is the Army Paying Too Much for its New Ultra-Light Vehicle?

Army officials had to explain why the new, ultra-light combat vehicles the service plans to field are so expensive.

Marines in the Hunt for a Mortar Round That Can Fire Up to 12 Miles

The Marine Corps is investing heavily in long-range fire systems as it prepares itself for future battles.

Marines Working with the Army on 5.56mm Rifle Round Replacement

The Marine Corps confirmed the service is in lockstep with the Army's effort to search for a more potent rifle round.

Marine Leaders Explain Corps' Decision to Buy Army's New Pistol

Marine Corps leaders today offered a glimpse into the service's decision to adopt the Army's Modular Handgun System.

Navy to Begin Testing New Body Armor for Naval Security Forces

The U.S. Navy will soon begin the first tests on its newest body armor -- the Naval Security Forces Vest.

Marines to Test out Lighter Combat Boots at Boot Camp

Users will be monitored to determine if there is a decrease in lower extremity injuries for those wearing the lighter boots.

Admin Change Streamlines Re-Entry of Marines With Out-of-Regs Tattoos

The way cases involving tattoos that fall outside guidelines are processed is changing.

SOCOM Supply Snafu Results in Millions of Dollars in Excess Gear

SOCOM has 4,420 more radios than it needs, among other items, an IG report finds.

Air Force Follows Navy in Adopting New Army Sidearm

The Air Force confirmed that it will field 130,000 of the Army's MHS to replace its existing inventory of 9mm M9 pistols.

Goldfein: Air Force Must Get Female Uniforms Right

"We're taking a really hard look at women's uniforms," Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein told reporters.

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