[Longstreet]

Do guys wear cellphones on their tac-vests? Is this a good idea or should it be avoided? Why or why not? I am asking because of something I have seen frequently when on EX. First off, I am a Reservist with the Canadian Forces. I have never been deployed and have minimal experience with Reg Force troops. So my experience is from a Reservist perspective. Over the years I realized that most Reservists take their cellphones into the field - which includes both NCOs and Officers. In the CF, we are issued a tac-vest (an item one could argue is the dumbest design ever, but that is another discussion) which we must wear. What I have noticed is that when guys want to access their phones, getting to it can be tricky as they must unzip their tac-vest and then open whatever clothing they have on. Since I like to sew, I started coming up with some ideas how this problem could be solved. Last night I put together a simple pouch that attaches to the only MOLLE on our tac-vest. It is a padded pouch and makes use of Velcro to close it. And as it can been seen, the pouch adds two rows of MOLLE (this is where I add a single mag pouch for the fifth mag we are issued). I did some simple tests where I adopted a prone position with my cellphone in the pocket. The phone was fine and while I could feel it on my belly, it was not overly uncomfortable. Last night I showed my pocket to my PL last and it turned into a heated debate about its usefulness as some guys felt the pocket would do little as the phone would still be subjected to "belly bouncing" when in the field (their words not mine). Also the pocket is not waterproof. I countered that the only way to truly protect one's phone would be for it to be a Pelican type box placed on one's pack, but that this would then have its own problems as to ease of accessibility. So I am putting it to all of you. Any feedback, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.