For those of you who have been deployed, can you explain how gear/equipment is issued?

I'll be joining the army in the near future, but was wondering how/what equipment is issued to you and at what time?

Are you given everything you need before you leave the US (weapon, mags, IBA, ect) or is some of that issued when you get over there?

Is any of that yours to keep after deployment for the future?

Are you allowed to purchase your own MOLLE pouches or extremity add-ons for your IBA? Thank you for taking the time to answer and thank you for your service.

basically you get it all when you join and they are changing some things like you will now take what you get with you. you will get body armor in the states with weapon no rounds till your there unless you end up with the "cool kids" SF/SPEC OPS those types. do you get to keep it yeah as long as your in. rounds will get turned in. you don't get to keep those. as far as buying your own equipment yes you can buy the swoopy pouches and things but you need to mark what is yours and what is the armies that you are "borrowing".
make a mark on everything you get from the army cause you get to pay for it if someone ganks that stuff (not cool) your personal stuff will have to come off for inspections period. you are allowed a personal flashlight and knife of a certain size lets say if the blade is bigger than your hand you got some issues. email me for any other Q/A sessions I've been in for 8yrs now and been deployed for 3yrs 7mons. round about i'm deployed now so...

At mob station, you get ALMOST everything you'll need. Of course, this is dependent on mob station supplies, but they should be okay. When we came back, we had to turn some of the stuff we were supposed to "keep" on our clothing record because they had a shortage.

The issue goes like this: stand in line, try on size, hold out hands, next station, "sign here."

But things that haven't been issued at mob yet I think are the stronger sapi plates that go inside your IBA...just the basic sapis are being issued at mob. Then also, DAPS for your IBA were issed to us in theatre. But this could have changed in the past 2 yrs. I'm sure if it has, someone will correct me.

In theatre, add ons are usually okay to wear on your IBA. We didn't have many issues unless there was something reflective or shiny showing. That seemed to cause problems with big wig officers.

As far as stuff to keep, that's if you got a good supply sergeant who sneaks extras!! Most of it goes on your clothing/OCIE record and you turn it in either upon demob or discharge from the army.