This sailor whole heartedly agrees with you.Most personal Mil-Spec gear is junk <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />.I had a post on another thread on the survival fishing kit that said the same thing.Canteen cups and rain ponchos are the most versatile equipment we carry.
Most every thing else is either too heavy and over built(E-tools) or just plane cheap(flashlights,heavy and cheap). I too augment my gear with civilian essentials.I believe this causes
change for the better.Albeit slow but necessary. I just wish the active duty service men didn't have to pay so much for good reliable gear they need.