The do it all bag

Submitted by Eric Daniel

Back in the day, everyone had one. It didn’t matter if you were going to the field for 45 days of gunnery at Grafenwhoer or maneuver training in Hoenfels, or day tripping out to the LTA, it was the one thing you always took with you. It was versatile, reliable, indestructible, and would do everything you asked of it, though I must admit I never once saw it used for the purpose for which it was intended.

I am, of course, referring to the helmet bag. Intended, I suppose, given the bag’s padded liner, to protect an aviator’s helmet from scratches and damage, the nylon bag was an almost universal accessory in the Armor community (where we called it the CVC bag after the Combat Vehicle Crewman helmet we wore.) Large enough to hold an MRE or two, your half-gallon coffee thermos, binos, a notebook, pogy bait, and your nomex hood and gloves, the CVC bag was a universal carryall. Moreover, it was also your traveling companion and record keeper as many folks would have the patches of the various units they’d served with sewn on to the bag (I’ve seen many a seasoned campaigner in the airport with ten or more unit patches on their bag.)

Constructed of padded nylon fabric and featuring two internal and two external pockets, the bag had a single zipper across the top as well as an external clip, which is where you probably actually put your helmet, since I don’t think I ever say anyone actually put a helmet into one of these. Never an issue item in the units I served with (again, this may just be an aviator thing) the bags were cheap enough to buy such that if yours got lost or destroyed you didn’t sweat buying a new one.

Get your CVC bag here

Comments

[Mike]

The link is broken, it doesn't take you to the CVC bag, is an updated link available?

[jbange]

Try this:

http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=armynavy&BusType=BtoC&Count1=98735988&Count2=15876412&Keyword=cvc&Target=products%2Easp

[jbange]

crud, wrong link. this one works:

http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=armynavy&BusType=BtoC&Count1=634014308&Count2=551154732&Keyword=helmet+bag&Target=products%2Easp

[Derek Aker]

These are great bags for a lot of different uses. Make sure you are getting the real deal GI issue ones- as a lot of them out there are Asian made copies. The only issue ones I have ever seen are in OD green, all the other colors are copies!! The Quartermaster has GI issue ones in excellent condition for $15- can't be beat!!
www.qm-supply.com

[MIKEY]

I still have mine 19 yrs later

[ArtilleryDog]

I agree they are good for a lot of things. I never went anywhere without it and oddly enough here I am alomost 4 yrs out and mine is sitting right beside me with my junk in it that I need for the night. I do disagree with being indestructable though as I have torn a few up in my days. Good to have though.

[BPDnarc]

My favorite use of the helmet bag is placing my soft body armor and Blackhawk assault vest inside for a quick grab and go!!

[Closer1775]

I have been out of the corps since 99 and I still use mine till this day to take to the office. Good for gym cloths, lunch and of couse a 12 pack of cold beverages you can take with you anywere. I don't even remember how I obtained 3 of them. I was never issed one

LL
USMC

[Charles Young]

These are great bags, still in use today. My son is carring one that I used during the last 6 yrs of active duty. I gave it to him when he was commissioned in 2001.

[Lopez,J]

Great bag...had mine through Desert Shield/Storm, & still going

[Bill Ames]

Wore one out over a twenty year period. The other two replacements have thousands of miles of duty related service and pleasure travel on them.

[Linc Abney]

I've had mine for for about 20 years - still going strong. I officiate high school football and carry all my gear in the bag - pants, shirts, shoes, cap, whistles, flags, cards and some grub. Great item.

[Chuck Gossett]

I received this bag in 1975 at Dover AFB, DE. I went into the ARG 22 years later and I still have this bag in great shape.

[patrick hill]

you know this bag i use my bag for a tackle box. grab n go. should have been the name of it. its ready when you are. thanks for my memories of graf , and holf. check out erlangen ferris barracks.com
if you want to stay in touch with brother's and sisters in arms

[Chris Fleming]

I bought mine at Ft. Dix during a Guard AT. It's been on various trips, to include a 14-month 'trip' to Iraq. I use it now on short work trips and as a gear bag at the gun range.

[Joris]

Yes, a great bag. When I was technical sergeant in the Netherlands Air Force I used it to carry Technical Orders, and tools to the flightline. I now mostly use it when I drive to work. But also use it to carry my horseriding helmet. So, some use it to carry a helmet, although not standard issue.

[Andyman73]

I spent @ 5.5 years in a flight equipment shop, in the mid 90s, in a Marine C-130 unit. The helmet bag was the number one item that was bartered for, among the non-flying members of my C-130 unit. I've had mine since 1993. It, and a parachute bag, now carry my hunting gear. Best bag I ever had.

[Bruce (Sarge) Thomson]

Even the Canadian Armoured Corps carried the bag I am a 22year vet who just handed mine down to a youg kid who worked for me who just Joined up got mine in Germany at an American PX

[Hank]

Used mine for MOPP gear in 2003 as my emergency kit bag. Now it's a great grab and go bag for softball games.

[Ed Quayle]

I've had mine since '85 and still use it. Without a doubt these were the most sought after issue items for personal use in Germany during the '80's. I'm one of those who used it to map my military career with patches too. It has been around the world more than once to include a trip to the sand box.

[Ed Quayle]

I've had mine since '85 and still use it. Without a doubt these were the most sought after issue items for personal use in Germany during the '80's. I'm one of those who used it to map my military career with patches too. It has been around the world more than once to include a trip to the sand box.

[Fred]

These are great for just about anything, from car things, hunting, fishing and other out-of-doors stuff. Mine was issued in '66 and last used for flying activities in USAF in '73. Great bag!

[archy]

We always found the *tankers tool bag* to be a batter bag for a CVC and the then-issued greasegun and eight magazines. If you added a couple of straps to it, you could add your .45 pistol and shoulder holster, though the bag wouldn't zip closed.

The flyguys helmet bag is almost as handy, but now that the old M3A1 greasegun is no longer with us, it'll do.

[Mike]

Whata BLAST from the past. I forgot all about the cvc bag, Brings back good the good old times.

[DAVID.HUERTAS]

There a lot of history with the CVC Bag just to show how long it's been in the systems.I still use my and take good care of it do to I carrie my Dominos for quick game,and personnal hygienes for fast shower if Possible.my been with me 1979 Yakima,WA. Ft Lewis

[MN]

I was SP artillery and was issued one for my helmet. Like what was said before, I never saw a helmet in a bag, most of us had purchased one in addition to the issue. I still use mine today after 8 years in and i'l be using it for years to come. And yes, I have my patches sewn on too.

[Fr Rick]

Not sure when or where I obtained mine, one OD Green the other Black -- I still use them to this day for various things.

[Sgt Maddawg]

Still got mine from '79, covered with my unit patches (official and otherwise...F.U. Jane Fonda ring a bell?) and it's still the "go to" bag for a quick trip out. Straps well to my sissybar on the bike.

[Ray Castagnaro]

I was issued my OD helmet bag in 1979, when I started USAF pilot traing. Mine does not even have the external clip on it! 9I think they added those some time later.0 I do still have the bag. The zipper still works, and yes, it is covered with unit patches.

One correction though: At least from 1979 through 1985, aircrews actually carried their helmets, checklists, and knee-boards in it to and from the jet. It was mandatory from a FOD perspective, and to prevent damage to the helmet.

Great bag, though! It has seen a lot....

[Josh Kirk]

Hell got mine in Kuwait (had to get the DCU) back in 2000 and still using it to this day. Even after getting out in 03 I used it for all my paperwork and binders for work. Great gym bag and just a do anything bag. I love it.

[Tom Valles]

When I was issued a helmet in Naval Flight Training ('74) I was told to get the riggers to make up a helmet bag. I paid for it ($10?). They made some $ and I got a great piece of gear that is around here some place.

[Matthew Graham]

I was issued my 1st and only bag in 98 at HM-14 in VA, went through 2 Med cruises, Iraq, Afghanistan, and then Key West, FL and it still never leaves me. I still use it to this day. Everybody should have 1 or 2.

[Brian Bownds]

I remember seeing my first one of these in Korea in '85 and I wanted one. My sergeant said don't bother, they only let aviators carry one in uniform and I was a turtle (to both Korea and the Army) so I believed him. I stayed in till '97 and never did get one. The closest I came was a FAG Bag (map case). I sure could use one of these today.

[Jason Smith]

Yea I served from 99-07 and it was the best thing I ever stumbled across thanks to an old top of mine. used for everything and everywhere from my stent in Alaska - Iraq hell even use it still of course now it is covered with all my old unit patchs and awards and mostly collecting dust but still full none the less.

[Jim Eastman]

And the side pocket held two cartons of cigs.

[J]

Bought my black one at Ft. Knox just before heading out for SFAS, TOOK the green one from Naval Aviation when I served as a Gunner's Mate (it was actually used for a pilot's helmet, which makes it even better). Tried to convince my girl to let me use it as our diaper bag for junior...I don't think she agrees!

[Brian]

I have had mine for almost 14 years and it still serves me well. I have stuffed anything and everything in this bag.

[Backbreaker7]

CVC bags are the best. I kinda disagree with the author though. In 11 ACR we always kept our CVC helmet and spaghetti cables in them. Then of course we had another CVC bag for snivel gear and pogey bait :).