Worn and Carried Around the DNC: The Soft Stuff

This is a two part piece about the apparel and gear worn/carried by the security teams around the DNC in Philadelphia.  Obviously this isn’t a completely comprehensive list because there were far more security teams from both government agencies and commercial organizations than could be kept track of.  This is an ‘in general’ observation piece about what was easily seen and mostly in common between the teams. This first article will be about the soft items – like boots, clothing and eyewear.  The second article will be about the hard items – like guns, flashlights and knives.

Recognize that those security folks in suits – folks like the Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation – weren’t observed much outside the Wells Fargo Center.  Those FBI agents outside the center – assigned to FDR Park and such – were largely in fatigues / utility blue BDUs / multi-cam ACU type uniforms.  The Philadelphia officers working were in the uniform of the day, whether that was their Class B uniform or a utility uniform.

LOTS of other groups had hired security to escort them to various locations and stand by while they did their jobs.  Those ‘other groups’ included people from the media, ‘fringe’ political groups (the Green party, the Communist party, the Weed party, etc) and others.  The private security personnel that were contracted wore pretty much the same thing with few modifications.

Clothing:

For the pants and shirts I saw worn each day, two names seemed to rule: 5.11 Tactical and Under Armor.  The 5.11 Tactical STRYKE pants seemed to be the favorite, in khaki, with the ‘standard’ 5.11 Tactical pants holding a close second.  I did see the occasional Warrior Wear pant and a few off-brand cargo pants worn. When you consider how much stuff is carried, needing pants of such a design isn’t a surprise.  Those extra pockets come in handy for carrying around snack food (mandatory since you never know when you’ll get to eat a meal) and first aid supplies (equally mandatory).

For shirts, black polos were the name of the game, but everyone had an undershirt on as well.  That keeps the gun you’re wearing either in an IWB holster or on your belt from rubbing your skin raw as you move and sweat for twelve to sixteen hours per day.  The undershirts were, without exception that I saw, Under Armor.  The polo shirts were a mix of Under Armor, 5.11 Tactical and Warrior Wear (from BLACKHAWK).  In general they seemed to be sized a bit larger than necessary but that allowed the wearer to hide all the stuff s/he was carrying such as gun, spare magazines, radio, cuffs, etc.

On ONE occasion I saw a security team that had everyone in the relatively new checkered design button down 5.11 Tactical shirts.  The media team seemed to feel that such shirts were less ‘tactical’ looking, but the boots and pants gave the wearers away.  It can look less tactical all it wants, but to people who know, it’s just a different color shirt.

Boots:

It was interesting on day one to see some folks in tennis shoes.  New Balance seemed to be the primary brand.  They were black and I’m sure they were comfortable for a while.  However, after any appreciable rain fall and hours on your feet, tennis shoes just don’t offer the support necessary.

Starting on day two, everyone I saw in any security detail was wearing boots. The manufacturers ran the gamut from Oakley to 5.11 Tactical to Warrior Wear and others. I wore my Oakley light weight assault boots for three days straight with a decently padded pair of socks.  My feet stayed comfortable and dry and my ankles were sore from all the terrain variety we had to deal with.

I did see a few people in ‘old school’ jump boots; all leather, highly shined.  I was both impressed and felt sorry for them at the same time. I remember wearing those boots. They were the kind of boots that broke in your feet rather than the other way around. They were hot as hell because they didn’t breathe… at all.  Waterproof?  Yes, if treated properly. Still, boots with a nylon or other reasonable fabric upper were far more practical and in use 99% of the time.

Eyewear:

No surprise here: Oakley was the name of the game.  Virtually everyone I saw working was wearing Oakleys. The styles may have differed. The color of lenses was different here and there, but the fact that Oakleys were on everybody’s face was plain to see (no pun intended).

That said… a few of the Secret Service agents I saw and some of the FBI guys were wearing Ray Bans.  I guess you just can’t change old school?

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Look for part two on the ‘hard’ stuff: guns, knives and flashlights (with a few comments on holsters thrown in).