"Why they didn't stick with the 50/50 NYCO, I have no idea"
You're talking about the government here. They never stick with a good idea.

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But, yes, I realize that.

US Cavalry have the genuine article. Though mail order might be too late for you. A raincoat beats a poncho anyway and unless you have to; camouflage is the worst thing you can wear. You want to be visible if things go wrong.
qjs

[quote=thseng]The packing list says "Rain coat or poncho (green/camo)"

I realize that this is heresy, but for anything except combined shelter building/rainwear functionality, ponchos actually kind of suck. A set of waterproof pants and jacket are lighter, more effective as clothing, and considerably more useable in real life than is a poncho. Ponchos work great to cover person and pack while in a standing posture on a windless day, and work poorly in most other scenarios.

Forgive me preppers, for I have sinned....

Your punishment will be severe!!

Alas....I too am a sinner! In any kind of serious weather ponchos seriously suck. A rain jacket is a much better choice.

No doubt nursemike and I will be stripped of all rank and privledges, and drummed out of ETS.

...and abandoned, naked and afraid, on a desert island, equipped only with ponchos...

Ponchos as a shelter rock. You just have to know what to do. For instance, never sleep parallel to the ponchos, sleep perpendicular, and use sticks/poles in the hoods to increase the inner space. Remember to use a drip stick/knot on the cords attaching ponchos to the trees.

I never slept in the communal tents we set up. I either used two ponchos to make my own hootch, or carried a camo civilian small dome tent, further cammied with the poncho.

On a side note, never used the poncho when it rained. Wore the issue rain suit, under my bdus. Less noisy, and hey, you were gonna get wet anyhow.

Likely with a TV crew ...

Been away on business for a week - thank for all the replies, especially the generous offer of a loan from MDinana.

Inspected the one from ebay last night - it is genuine "new old stock" as stated - the seam sealer is dried up and flaking off, so it needs to be re-sealed. The price was right, so I'm happy.

Re poncho vs rainsuit:

As a matter of fact, that's exaclty what he'll be doing, standing around in formation practicing hurry-up-and-wait. Jackets are fine but they don't do anything for your lower body and pants are hassle to quickly don and doff when you're on the move.

Camo is the worst choice for survival, but he's going to be on an Airforce base, not it the woods. Ironically, CAP regs require a certified ANSI class II safety vest for "ground team activities" which begs the question: Wear the vest under your field gear and defeat the purpose of the vest or over your field gear and make access a pain? Third option is to find the holy grail: a gear vest the actually meets the ANSI standard.