Brilliant tutorial ! Its good to hear someone make the point of OTT ghillie suits that just make you into a jumbo sized human shape. Often you hear people moaning about off the shelf suits with ''bald patches'' which is what you really need ! I (being lazy) bought myself a good (ish) off the shelf suit and removed half of the burlap straight away, that gave me space to fix elastic for attaching localised foliage, What I took off I reused by attaching it to a large scrim net to give me addition cover for day sacks or patrol packs left in situ. Got to say one of your best ideas for me was the paracord attached to the bottom of the jacket to stop it riding up when backing out of a position, I have often had ''ride ups'' that pissed me off but once back home you tend to forget about those moments until you are out on the ground again but by then its too late ! The fire retardant is also a really good point to make, I tried airsoft (yes I'm admitting that ) for something to do thinking it might help me keep my skills up but had to stop going because all the wannabe's just pissed me off so much, but the ghillie brigade sit there smoking between games in their ''chingpowellcheap'' chinese imported instant bonfires, its also something I had never really considered either! You get used to issued kit being fire retardant and flame resistant but I hadn't considered materials I ever added to my kit in the past. So I shall be spraying up my latest suit just in case !! But like I say .... Brilliant tutorial by someone who really understands what they are talking about ! very rare on UA-cam
Tackleberry0921 you are right, this is SF instructor grade level education. Reminds of the course that was given to me back in 2002. A little old I know. But this is high grade doctor level education. Be safe out there. Chip...
Real snipers do not take forseeable locations. What's in your mind as Good, is in your target mind "he is there". Just remember, your best taget point is the best enemy refference. Just think beyond. It's your life...
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret , what is your stance on using a flight suit..... I want to build it to where the back has some way to make the netting flex with movement. I know folks use fatigues to build the suits, but I heard some folks used flight suits......
@@Darkhorseman72 I don't personally like the flight suit base. I like the suit to be modular so I can choose how much of it I want to wear rather than all or nothing.
Josh, I was proned out on a Small hill top over looking a open clearing , fully camouflaged, while deer hunting with a scoped .270 and some dude rolled up on a motocross dirt bike , parked right next to me and almost pissed on me until I forcefully cleared my throat to make him scoot away , then he probably almost crapped his pants when he noticed my rifle and me he was about 6 feet away and never noticed me , camo works !
Using a heavy-duty sewing machine helps out for the base, bartack machine for gutted 550 and net. You can also just use a TOG with gear mesh, and tie into the mesh and random spots.
There is a guy on here somewhere I seen the other day, he took his boonie hat and cut the center of the top off and added the netting there for cooling when he was making his. Guy lives here in the pnw. Pretty cool idea
I have six sons and I made a ghillie suit for my oldest using your advice and now they all want one and it’s turning into a job I didn’t ask for. But I thank you for the advice and instructions. I do have two freezers full of meat out of it.
Thank you for the camo tips. '69 camo war story: we flew out, Rangers outnumbered, needing reinforced. Early morning. One told me the NVA they were outrunning came along at night with flashlights, hitting sticks on their AKs, looking for them, passing about 15' away and shining right into the brush areas they were in. They weren't spotted.
When I built my Ghillie Suit I didn't use BDU Pants but made a Chap with Plastic Snap link and a Belt with a Plastic scuba weight belt latch and the top half is the same type of netting and tide the burlap and jute tied on and glue, the head cover is a bonnie hat with the same material and I used my Ghillie Suit while I was on active duty. Next you've got to get it and you mud & sandy and never ever clean it. The schools teach the fundamentals of building the Ghillie Suit but after the school is done it is good to keep expanding your knowledge with field craft and tactics. This video brings back memories from the past thank you for sharing.
I Have been in areas with a lot of cactus while wearing a Ghillie Suit. I found some thick, kind of stiff leather pieces with a smooth outer surface. I used it on the front of the pants and top and, after I did that, I had no issues with cactus piercing the front and hitting skin. My spotter used the same leather while he was with me and he really, really liked not being tortured by crawling over cactus. Your Ghillie is superior to any that I have built. You provided some valuable info, thank you so much.
I see that Panama patch in your profile pic bro! Brings back great memories. I got to go in ‘94 and ‘96, and another trip that wasn’t JOTC in ‘97 before it was turned back over. Good times. Loved it there
Lots of good advice on here. I went to sniper school in 92 and was very unprepared. I reported directly from a line unit, while the other students were already assigned to a STA platoon and already had ghillie suits made. I was up at midnight every night working on my suit. I can still smell the burlap.
After watching your Israeli bandage video, which I commented was the best video I've seen on it, I feel the same way about this video. You are a wealth of knowledge, sir!
Honestly, almost all of my scout skills and tips served me well. Only thing I'm vehemently against was "dont use a TQ, youll make them lose a leg". They stopped teaching that, but definitely taught it when I was a scout. Now, I use my scout sewing skills more than anything else. And fell back into preferred scout knives (swiss army knives, for one) over everything else. So many useful skills and so much useful suggested gear. 100% wish I hadnt looked down on it when I was in the middle east. A victorinox hunstman would have saved me so much time and hassle on deployment.
Good lesson mate: Back in the UK they taught me the 5 S's & M. Shape, shadow, shine, silhouette, sound and movement. It always makes me laugh when I see a wookie bimbling through the undergrowth.
@@NightmareFuelsYou Hey mate, use deodorant if you have a personal issue ;-). In all seriousness: There are simple, commonsense techniques for reducing odor - 1. The biggie is don't smoke when out in the ulu, and for a couple of days before; 2. Do not eat spicy food, before and during a job. Take along baggies of local fruit, pre-cooked rice and pre-cooked chicken - NO BEEF JERKY; 3. Do not go out into the ulu freshly washed, and scented with talc & aftershave; 4. If military then when not in use your gear should live somewhere secure outdoors - away from gasoline, and oils, ie. no lawnmowers, machinery, or power tools in the shed as the scent will invade the fabric of clothing and gear; 5. Guys I knew who wore a ghillie for work would wash their base materials in water, no soap. Make the ghillie then lay it on a heap of rotting vegetation for a few days. Then finally hang it up under a tree until needed. It may sound silly, or exaggerated but, the prospect of even being on exercise and having a landshark (dog) go after your ball bag when you are trying to be an inconspicuous pile of leaves is not nice. Smelling a little like vegetation might just give you a few extra seconds when dealing with unexpected, or unwelcome company. You can actually smell many human locations before you physically bump into them out in the wild. Someone smoking you can pick up hundreds of yards away, along with the evenings waft of quality MRE mixed with tabasco, and the morning waft of coffee on the breeze is a delight. Lumpy human waste goes directly into a ziploc, and liquid waste into a bottle, waste is then taken with you along with all litter evidence of your presence (leave no trace) - just make sure you don't root around in the wrong side pocket of your rucksack in the dark. If a dog will sniff out waste more or less instantly, incredible to watch a good team dog at work and play. I had this chat with a couple of blokes who wondered why they were not getting any wild hogs during their night time forays. Freshly washed hunting cammies, oiled rifles, stuff rattling in every pocket, and the gentle smell of campfire, Bud and beef jerky emanating from them ......... they might as well have had a marching band going out in front of them. They started leaving their gear outside under a tree, stopped eating smelly food and their hunting ability magically increased. Its not rocket science.
@@Alex-jf1og Spot on my good man. Field kit is FIELD kit. It always pissed me off when we weren’t hard routine from day one on ex- fight the way you train and all that. I guess some head sheds want to keep morale up with hot scoff and a brew, but it defeats the object. Got your dossbag for luxury and gat for fun! Fantastic post my good man, have a wonderful day and God bless.
I made my own ghillie poncho and hood with twine and burlap, then sewed it to a tiger stripe hat and shirt.. Worked great. My son and I were bow hunting in early fall, and sneaking our way to our stands. I was halfway down the trail and I saw two feet coming straight for my face. Then they pulled up directly over my face and landed in on my head. It turned out to be a blue jay. I made a hissing noise and my son turned and saw the bird and started laughing so hard he said the bird looked at him, then flew off. He said he could have sworn the bird was shaking his head like he didn't understand what he was doing that was so funny.
That's awesome! Similar thing happened to me once with a squirrel, we stared at each other for ages, eventually the little critter trusted me enough that I could feed it some of my lunch.
@Alan Fitzgerald A practice among the Navajo was (and is, perhaps) to build a hide in the ground, bait it with a hunk of meat, and wait for an Eagle to alight and grab it. They you grab the eagle. Wrestling ensues. . Don't do this except on consultation with your spirit animal.
I have made a Ghillie Suit out of a BDU top/shirt and turned it inside out and the Pockets are in the inside to carry my groceries, I then sew and glue the netting the tied the jute and burlap to the netting. I do a Ghillie Cover for my head and Weapon then I get it Wet and Muddy and NEVER Clean it. I still use my Ghillie Suit even after I have Retired from the ARMY in 2007 ... The More that you use the Ghillie Suit the Best they get. Thank You for your Service and Sacrifices, and for posting these Videos
As a sniper/retired.this is gold. I learned the hard way, no youtube back then. Work with guys with a skateboard helmets a few times in past.Good work sir.I use RUBBER CEMENT AND CONTACT CEMENT on my helmet, boots etc . put dirt around me on that glue ...works fine
By far one of the best gilli video's out in Utube land . I like that you shared these tips as a survivalist/ woodsman concealment can be used often in many scenario's keep these sort of things coming. Maybe do a video on adding natural vegitation to the overall system and followed by simple hunting or mission gear selections that would pertain to a survival or long term bushcrafters needs while out in the field.
If you cut the burlap into 12"x12" squares, the strands in each direction can be used instead of having long strands that are kept and short strands that are removed and discarded. I also opted to go with a flight suit so I'd have a one piece that both doesn't require a belt and won't ride up if I have to back up - scooping up whatever's on the ground. I also have netting for a back panel so the one piece doesn't get too warm.
I was wondering if anyone thought to use a jumpsuit it seems like it would eliminate a lot of the issues with it hiking up on you when moving. I'm a caver and have found moving in general to be easier in a one piece suit.
This is one of the best tutorials on how to make a Ghillie Suit the way that our best and brightest operators do. Thank you for your time, and your service to this Great Nation.
First, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. This tutorial produced by an experienced warrior like yourself helped a great deal. My shopping list got longer. The hat with extension to cover ones weapon will be first on my project. Thank you for the training. Lastly, I posted on Facebook, "BE NOT DECEIVED OF ME BEING OLD AND GRAY, THIS VIETNAM VETERAN CAN STILL KICK ASS". God Bless and Semper Fi
I have used it for several different surfaces and found that with fabrics that it does quite well. I will try it and let you know. Thank You for responding.
Fantastic video! Reminds me of all the research I did to make mine years ago. Another thing you can use instead of rubber bands are hair ties. You can find them in earth tones pretty easily. Another thing to consider for how much burlap/jute to use, is by weight. I used (I think) about 10 lbs. for top and bottom and left room in the shoulders for natural vegetation.
Easily the best ghillie suit video I've ever seen. Top notch brother! Great ideas abound, I'll be using more than a few. Related to your hat (love the use of the veil BTW) is something a buddy of mine did. He took a European bdu top that has a hood (not sure what country, Warsaw pact I believe) and cut it off just below the sleeves. Then did the net, loops, bands, jute etc. To it. Easily put on and takes up little room.
Been working on a new one for about a week thus far. I've tied about 10 thousand knots and I've barely finished the hood. I've decided to use a cape/poncho style and spend less time on my chest and abdominal area. The challange for this time of year is getting the color right. Stuff is getting real green in the last week.
Thank you for making this video. This is something I've wanted to do for several years. Takes a lot of work to make a quality ghillie suit, and you've given me some good insights for knee/elbow pads pockets and ways to attach fresh vegetation.
I’ve got me a Wookie suit first one I ever made it’s only purpose is to hunt coyotes and other animals like hogs. But it still Blends in quite well most people can’t see me once I get in position. But for a hunt is a thick south forest full of old man’s beard and lots of vegetation Which gives me an advantage in it. But since then have reconstructed mine to be like the one you were talking about in this video. Thank you for the great work and keep the great videos coming.
Finally, I'm glad you released this video and shared the tricks of the trade, the only thing I do differently is I use a flight suit with burlap on the chest, I dont get dirt down my pants while crawling also keeps most bugs out of the suit while waiting. 😁
Thats exactly what Im using. What color did ya go with? I found a nice used desert brown suit from the surplus store for $25. I think I paid more for the net and burlap than I did the suit.
I remember that being suggested. Not that I currently have a need for a ghillie suit, but if I made one to use here in Florida, it would have to be very light or I'd probably dehydrate and/or overheat. A jumpsuit seems like a damn good idea.
Man, I've been always a hunter. Yours is the best explanation I've heard. I've been there, when just a little mouvement, just a little chage in light, was the signal... Patience and observatience was the key. No straight movements that nature hasn't.
Building one now for archery hunting.These tricks put me on point.Truly appreciate this tutorial.Love the rubber band and mixing different color locks together trick.This truly ups the ante for my success in the field. 🏹🦌
Awesome video! Good to hear someone who knows the detection factors and how to apply them (first video on youtube that ive heard them used when discussing ghillie construction, first time ive heard them used outside of a SOTIC context). Excluding BDUs and boonies, Hobby Lobby sells everything else you would need for those of you following along at home. (burlap, netting, glues, thread and dyes)
The water bladder against the back also absorbs a bit of body heat. And the tip of keeping the suit narrow is a good idea, Thanks. My bow has leaves on it too, good to hide behind.
This was great. I've made a few "Wookie" suits and I think I'm getting better each time but that's probably a matter of opinion. This video will help lots. I definitely learned something here. Thanks again from the great white north.
Thank you for all the little insights like the thumb loophole an the stirups for you feet always had trouble when i backed up, now i can take my ghille to another level.
Sir, your content and demeanor is reminiscent of my uncles, both retired marines. The elder uncle used a baitboard to replace a cracked carburetor plate--fifteen miles into the Chesapeake. We made it to feet-dry.
I don't have a ghillie and prob won't make one; however, it's amazingly impressive the amount of skill and thought into making one that works so well for various conditions. Well thought out and shows your years of experience doing this. Very impressive GBGB
13:45 The great thing about the new ACU trousers is that there are velcro flaps in the knee where you can add padded inserts. Not too hip on the pattern for actual concealment, but the flaps are nice for that reason.
What do you do for the treads of your shoes when laying down? Seems like someone on a hill or flying or even a drone could pick out the black rubber soles, is that an issue?
Shane K yes, if the shoes are not in grass or shrubs. If your feet will be exposed, you can make booties for them or extend the pant legs to cover them.
Years ago I hunted an area where the whitetail deer bedded on a high knob. No matter how I tried I could only crawl so close before they spotted me. Two hops and they'd be over the back side before I could get a shot. I'd love to try that stalk with a ghillie on. Thanks for the lesson. Stay safe.
You will also have environmental issues. Wind direction and thermals can cancel all of the camo you have on. I know I crawled to within 25 ft of a nice buck a few years back. I was close enough to smell him. Then the wind changed i felt it on the back of my neck. Surprised wasn't the word . He jumped up looked my direction and trotted off . He never positively identified me. But he knew I was there and I was close.
I was just given a suit for Christmas. Never wore one or put one together. Be perfect for hunting. Great video. Gave me alot of good tips for putting it together.
I got a few ghillie suits that the SEALs wore in desert storm, they look very similar to this (super nice quality). The biggest difference from your suit and the SEAL suits that I have are that the top is a 1 piece and the whole front is a sewn together with the padding/canvas. Definitely a pain to take on/off but definitely not going anywhere lol Great video!
My favorite concealment technique: stay still. Hahaha there were so many times when I shit in the woods just a few feet from a trail and when some farmers pass by I would just stay still and they wouldn't notice and I just watch them pass by.
The rubber bands idea is a great way to attach foliage quickly. Great idea! On a funny note maybe you can use the color hair spray to camo your beard since its already so bushy. I'd watch that video too. Cool video thanks for all the great ideas...
Excellent instruction. My brother was an SF guy and forevermore he teased me about being a Chest Beating Aww, Marine, anyway, A couple of lessons learned was there is nothing in nature the is Flat, Straight, or Round, and make sure your Vail covers the triangle from your chin to your chest. That goes to what you said about a Silhouettes and my brother could always pick me out because of my Boot heals, then when I would remember to lay my feet down in a proper position he could still see the straight line of my Boot. So what I did is I got a belt for a water pump on a car, the ones that have the segments on the contact side then I riveted it to my Boot top and I made kind of like chicken feathers for my feet. Sewed them to a boot band, problem solved. I really appreciate the shirt vent idea. Have a great day.
Awesome! Thats a good idea for the boots. I spent the last two years training Marines, I enjoyed it. We are all the same patriots with different uniforms in my opinion. And we will always bust each others balls between services!
I used to have one my team leader made. He used vehicle camo netting over jlist. It was a bit wookie ish but not as bad as you might think. The jlist has all the stirrup straps and stuff already which saved a bit of work.
OH Snap.. What an awesome lesson in who to make a functioning suit. for me if TEOTWAWKI stealth is my friend.. i cant wait to try all that.. hat vial and top is amazing.. first the suit then the veg.. thanks for sharing all that. Great Lesson... I understand it is not how you are taught but how you adapt the lessons from all the proceeding instructors and snipers ahead of you, then making a suit for yourself to accomplish the best camouflage possible. Your pocket application is really super awesome... i think i get it.. thank you again ... J
That was incredibly informative! Thank you! I am modifying your design as mine will be for hunting, that said, you have shared so many solid tips that I will incorporate. I will absolutely give you a shout out when I finish mine and use it on my channel! Thanks again!
I hid in plain sight with a suit on. 1 knew I was there. 20 didn't. I layed beside a tree shrub. I gave it up when one of the guys said he was getting a gun to inspect the weird noise.
I decided to watch this video and realized that I had seen it before, but you provide so many points and tips that it was like a new video. Most of the good stuff I have learned about ghillie suits and camouflage was from the book "The Ultimate Sniper" by Major John L. Plaster, but you provided a few more gems. I'm surprised how far you deconstruct your BDU's and remodel them in building your suit, but we see that the results benefit you for all your efforts.
How about permethrin? I would add that if you're in tick country. I've already been through one bout of Lyme and other co-infections. Great vid; lots of new ideas!
Thank you sir for sharing. Your mods, thumb pulls on the sleeves and bottom ties to keep the jacket in place, much like the back vent are awesome mods. Well done.
Great video. Seems like i had read a manual somewhere about turning the bdu blouse inside out so pockets were on the inside. I dig the mesh on the back great tip.
We had forward a listening post and a trench just deep enough to squat down and be level with the ground. We took care and replaced the topsoil and natural grass around it. The camo must have looked fairly natural and night time because one of the guys walking through our position stood on my head and kept going. Probably thought he stood on another rock lol.
Brilliant tutorial ! Its good to hear someone make the point of OTT ghillie suits that just make you into a jumbo sized human shape. Often you hear people moaning about off the shelf suits with ''bald patches'' which is what you really need ! I (being lazy) bought myself a good (ish) off the shelf suit and removed half of the burlap straight away, that gave me space to fix elastic for attaching localised foliage, What I took off I reused by attaching it to a large scrim net to give me addition cover for day sacks or patrol packs left in situ.
Got to say one of your best ideas for me was the paracord attached to the bottom of the jacket to stop it riding up when backing out of a position, I have often had ''ride ups'' that pissed me off but once back home you tend to forget about those moments until you are out on the ground again but by then its too late ! The fire retardant is also a really good point to make, I tried airsoft (yes I'm admitting that ) for something to do thinking it might help me keep my skills up but had to stop going because all the wannabe's just pissed me off so much, but the ghillie brigade sit there smoking between games in their ''chingpowellcheap'' chinese imported instant bonfires, its also something I had never really considered either! You get used to issued kit being fire retardant and flame resistant but I hadn't considered materials I ever added to my kit in the past. So I shall be spraying up my latest suit just in case !! But like I say .... Brilliant tutorial by someone who really understands what they are talking about ! very rare on UA-cam
Thanks, Tackleberry! I appreciate that!
Tackleberry0921 you are right, this is SF instructor grade level education.
Reminds of the course that was given to me back in 2002.
A little old I know. But this is high grade doctor level education.
Be safe out there.
Chip...
Real snipers do not take forseeable locations. What's in your mind as Good, is in your target mind "he is there". Just remember, your best taget point is the best enemy refference. Just think beyond. It's your life...
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret , what is your stance on using a flight suit..... I want to build it to where the back has some way to make the netting flex with movement. I know folks use fatigues to build the suits, but I heard some folks used flight suits......
@@Darkhorseman72 I don't personally like the flight suit base. I like the suit to be modular so I can choose how much of it I want to wear rather than all or nothing.
Josh, I was proned out on a Small hill top over looking a open clearing , fully camouflaged, while deer hunting with a scoped .270 and some dude rolled up on a motocross dirt bike , parked right next to me and almost pissed on me until I forcefully cleared my throat to make him scoot away , then he probably almost crapped his pants when he noticed my rifle and me he was about 6 feet away and never noticed me , camo works !
Right, Savage?
Classic!
Thanks for the chuckle!
@SavageSurvival how do you mistake a dirt bike rider riding a bike as a deer
270. Lol
I've made about 5 of these things throughout my career. VERY time consuming, if done properly. Your video is right on the money.
@dth stk A long time. Stripping the burlap takes forever. My wife helped me with the first one I ever made while attending the sniper course.
Yeah.. I have never made one. And just based off of this tutorial, it looks like a VERY lengthy process
Using a heavy-duty sewing machine helps out for the base, bartack machine for gutted 550 and net.
You can also just use a TOG with gear mesh, and tie into the mesh and random spots.
Yup jutting all night on cq .
Best part is when they help you condition your new ghilie.
Taking out a section on the back of your jacket, and sewing in the netting for ventilation is brilliant. Very useful tip.
There is a guy on here somewhere I seen the other day, he took his boonie hat and cut the center of the top off and added the netting there for cooling when he was making his. Guy lives here in the pnw. Pretty cool idea
I have six sons and I made a ghillie suit for my oldest using your advice and now they all want one and it’s turning into a job I didn’t ask for. But I thank you for the advice and instructions. I do have two freezers full of meat out of it.
Thank you for the camo tips.
'69 camo war story: we flew out, Rangers outnumbered, needing reinforced. Early morning. One told me the NVA they were outrunning came along at night with flashlights, hitting sticks on their AKs, looking for them, passing about 15' away and shining right into the brush areas they were in. They weren't spotted.
Nice! Welcome, Commenter Five. I hope you stick around so I can hear your stories.
The loops are an insane tip, appreciate it!
I have at least 5 seabags from deployments. I am good until at least 2090...............Awesome vid brother. Keep it up for those that do not know.
When I built my Ghillie Suit I didn't use BDU Pants but made a Chap with Plastic Snap link and a Belt with a Plastic scuba weight belt latch and the top half is the same type of netting and tide the burlap and jute tied on and glue, the head cover is a bonnie hat with the same material and I used my Ghillie Suit while I was on active duty. Next you've got to get it and you mud & sandy and never ever clean it. The schools teach the fundamentals of building the Ghillie Suit but after the school is done it is good to keep expanding your knowledge with field craft and tactics. This video brings back memories from the past thank you for sharing.
I Have been in areas with a lot of cactus while wearing a Ghillie Suit. I found some thick, kind of stiff leather pieces with a smooth outer surface. I used it on the front of the pants and top and, after I did that, I had no issues with cactus piercing the front and hitting skin. My spotter used the same leather while he was with me and he really, really liked not being tortured by crawling over cactus. Your Ghillie is superior to any that I have built. You provided some valuable info, thank you so much.
I see that Panama patch in your profile pic bro! Brings back great memories. I got to go in ‘94 and ‘96, and another trip that wasn’t JOTC in ‘97 before it was turned back over. Good times. Loved it there
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret You are right! Good Times. I was there in 1985 (Or 1986 can't remember for sure.) Ft Sherman, Green Hell. It was fun.
@@dennisgarryowen8885 exactly! Ft Sherman all three times. Amazing place
Every infantry soldier should read the book Marine Sniper. Great topic Josh this video was awesome
Bob...👍🏻🇺🇸
Hey my buddy tim ramirez was\is a Rakkasan. Haven’t came across another one until now. Hope all is well with you and thank you for your service.
@@xringkiller Right back at you.
Ne desit virtus.
Thanks for defending me and my family. I will always support you "guys".
Lots of good advice on here. I went to sniper school in 92 and was very unprepared. I reported directly from a line unit, while the other students were already assigned to a STA platoon and already had ghillie suits made. I was up at midnight every night working on my suit. I can still smell the burlap.
After watching your Israeli bandage video, which I commented was the best video I've seen on it, I feel the same way about this video. You are a wealth of knowledge, sir!
So those Boy Scout sewing skills really do come in handy.
Honestly, almost all of my scout skills and tips served me well. Only thing I'm vehemently against was "dont use a TQ, youll make them lose a leg". They stopped teaching that, but definitely taught it when I was a scout.
Now, I use my scout sewing skills more than anything else. And fell back into preferred scout knives (swiss army knives, for one) over everything else.
So many useful skills and so much useful suggested gear. 100% wish I hadnt looked down on it when I was in the middle east. A victorinox hunstman would have saved me so much time and hassle on deployment.
Greetings from a Swedish Army Paratrooper!
You, Sir, just got yourself a new subscriber 🎉
Good lesson mate: Back in the UK they taught me the 5 S's & M. Shape, shadow, shine, silhouette, sound and movement. It always makes me laugh when I see a wookie bimbling through the undergrowth.
What about smell
@@NightmareFuelsYou Hey mate, use deodorant if you have a personal issue ;-). In all seriousness: There are simple, commonsense techniques for reducing odor - 1. The biggie is don't smoke when out in the ulu, and for a couple of days before; 2. Do not eat spicy food, before and during a job. Take along baggies of local fruit, pre-cooked rice and pre-cooked chicken - NO BEEF JERKY; 3. Do not go out into the ulu freshly washed, and scented with talc & aftershave; 4. If military then when not in use your gear should live somewhere secure outdoors - away from gasoline, and oils, ie. no lawnmowers, machinery, or power tools in the shed as the scent will invade the fabric of clothing and gear; 5. Guys I knew who wore a ghillie for work would wash their base materials in water, no soap. Make the ghillie then lay it on a heap of rotting vegetation for a few days. Then finally hang it up under a tree until needed. It may sound silly, or exaggerated but, the prospect of even being on exercise and having a landshark (dog) go after your ball bag when you are trying to be an inconspicuous pile of leaves is not nice. Smelling a little like vegetation might just give you a few extra seconds when dealing with unexpected, or unwelcome company.
You can actually smell many human locations before you physically bump into them out in the wild. Someone smoking you can pick up hundreds of yards away, along with the evenings waft of quality MRE mixed with tabasco, and the morning waft of coffee on the breeze is a delight. Lumpy human waste goes directly into a ziploc, and liquid waste into a bottle, waste is then taken with you along with all litter evidence of your presence (leave no trace) - just make sure you don't root around in the wrong side pocket of your rucksack in the dark. If a dog will sniff out waste more or less instantly, incredible to watch a good team dog at work and play.
I had this chat with a couple of blokes who wondered why they were not getting any wild hogs during their night time forays. Freshly washed hunting cammies, oiled rifles, stuff rattling in every pocket, and the gentle smell of campfire, Bud and beef jerky emanating from them ......... they might as well have had a marching band going out in front of them. They started leaving their gear outside under a tree, stopped eating smelly food and their hunting ability magically increased. Its not rocket science.
@@Alex-jf1og Damn dude. Invaluable information.
@@Alex-jf1og Spot on my good man. Field kit is FIELD kit. It always pissed me off when we weren’t hard routine from day one on ex- fight the way you train and all that. I guess some head sheds want to keep morale up with hot scoff and a brew, but it defeats the object.
Got your dossbag for luxury and gat for fun!
Fantastic post my good man, have a wonderful day and God bless.
I made my own ghillie poncho and hood with twine and burlap, then sewed it to a tiger stripe hat and shirt.. Worked great. My son and I were bow hunting in early fall, and sneaking our way to our stands. I was halfway down the trail and I saw two feet coming straight for my face. Then they pulled up directly over my face and landed in on my head. It turned out to be a blue jay. I made a hissing noise and my son turned and saw the bird and started laughing so hard he said the bird looked at him, then flew off. He said he could have sworn the bird was shaking his head like he didn't understand what he was doing that was so funny.
That's awesome! Similar thing happened to me once with a squirrel, we stared at each other for ages, eventually the little critter trusted me enough that I could feed it some of my lunch.
@Alan Fitzgerald A practice among the Navajo was (and is, perhaps) to build a hide in the ground, bait it with a hunk of meat, and wait for an Eagle to alight and grab it. They you grab the eagle. Wrestling ensues.
.
Don't do this except on consultation with your spirit animal.
@@nmarbletoe8210 then there must be a lot of one eyed, eight-ish fingered Navajo, lol
I have made a Ghillie Suit out of a BDU top/shirt and turned it inside out and the Pockets are in the inside to carry my groceries, I then sew and glue the netting the tied the jute and burlap to the netting. I do a Ghillie Cover for my head and Weapon then I get it Wet and Muddy and NEVER Clean it.
I still use my Ghillie Suit even after I have Retired from the ARMY in 2007 ...
The More that you use the Ghillie Suit the Best they get.
Thank You for your Service and Sacrifices, and for posting these Videos
Thanks for yours!
love when you share military experiences, was actually wanting something like this for hunting. good stuff.
best ghillie suit vid on the net
Somehow I can smell the burlap just watching this video
Subscribed within first 6 seconds. You instantly recognize a man in a know.
This is absolutely the best video I've ever seen on building ghillie suits. Thank you sir.
I've watched tons of how to Ghillie suit videos, but none have come close to the practical knowledge you have shared in this one video. Thankyou.
As a sniper/retired.this is gold. I learned the hard way, no youtube back then. Work with guys with a skateboard helmets a few times in past.Good work sir.I use RUBBER CEMENT AND CONTACT CEMENT on my helmet, boots etc . put dirt around me on that glue ...works fine
This is the best gilly build that ive seen yet, thanks. Don't forget the jute and natural vegetation for your face gilly.
making the veil long enough to go over the scope and rifle is such a great idea
By far one of the best gilli video's out in Utube land . I like that you shared these tips as a survivalist/ woodsman concealment can be used often in many scenario's keep these sort of things coming. Maybe do a video on adding natural vegitation to the overall system and followed by simple hunting or mission gear selections that would pertain to a survival or long term bushcrafters needs while out in the field.
At last, practical advice and not tacticool horse feathers. Good stuff, thanks!
If you cut the burlap into 12"x12" squares, the strands in each direction can be used instead of having long strands that are kept and short strands that are removed and discarded. I also opted to go with a flight suit so I'd have a one piece that both doesn't require a belt and won't ride up if I have to back up - scooping up whatever's on the ground. I also have netting for a back panel so the one piece doesn't get too warm.
I was wondering if anyone thought to use a jumpsuit it seems like it would eliminate a lot of the issues with it hiking up on you when moving. I'm a caver and have found moving in general to be easier in a one piece suit.
@@maximilianlee5249 That's what I used when I made mine.
Excellent points. One of the most in-depth videos here on Ghillie Suit construction!!! Awesome video Sir. Thank you for sharing.
All I can say is wow. These are things one can only know from years and years of real world experience. Awesome man
Wish we knew this early 60’s. This is Gold for young servicemen of today. Good video, even though it is backwards and mirror ;-)
This is one of the best tutorials on how to make a Ghillie Suit the way that our best and brightest operators do. Thank you for your time, and your service to this Great Nation.
I was British LRRPS, wish I kept my ghilie suit now. Nice presentation.
First, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. This tutorial produced by an experienced warrior like yourself helped a great deal. My shopping list got longer. The hat with extension to cover ones weapon will be first on my project. Thank you for the training. Lastly, I posted on Facebook, "BE NOT DECEIVED OF ME BEING OLD AND GRAY, THIS VIETNAM VETERAN CAN STILL KICK ASS". God Bless and Semper Fi
Tear Mender, it’s a wonderful product for glueing materials together and doesn’t shine like shoegoop.
I have used it for several different surfaces and found that with fabrics that it does quite well. I will try it and let you know. Thank You for responding.
Cool to see how industry changing features came from old school green beanie gear like this.
Fantastic video! Reminds me of all the research I did to make mine years ago. Another thing you can use instead of rubber bands are hair ties. You can find them in earth tones pretty easily. Another thing to consider for how much burlap/jute to use, is by weight. I used (I think) about 10 lbs. for top and bottom and left room in the shoulders for natural vegetation.
Easily the best ghillie suit video I've ever seen. Top notch brother! Great ideas abound, I'll be using more than a few. Related to your hat (love the use of the veil BTW) is something a buddy of mine did. He took a European bdu top that has a hood (not sure what country, Warsaw pact I believe) and cut it off just below the sleeves. Then did the net, loops, bands, jute etc. To it. Easily put on and takes up little room.
I like that style, I may make one of those
Been working on a new one for about a week thus far. I've tied about 10 thousand knots and I've barely finished the hood. I've decided to use a cape/poncho style and spend less time on my chest and abdominal area. The challange for this time of year is getting the color right. Stuff is getting real green in the last week.
Thank you for making this video. This is something I've wanted to do for several years. Takes a lot of work to make a quality ghillie suit, and you've given me some good insights for knee/elbow pads pockets and ways to attach fresh vegetation.
I watched this like I was watching a good movie. Thanks to all of the people that keep me safe.
Very good video. Thanks for your service protecting our country.
I’ve got me a Wookie suit first one I ever made it’s only purpose is to hunt coyotes and other animals like hogs. But it still Blends in quite well most people can’t see me once I get in position. But for a hunt is a thick south forest full of old man’s beard and lots of vegetation Which gives me an advantage in it. But since then have reconstructed mine to be like the one you were talking about in this video. Thank you for the great work and keep the great videos coming.
Still have mine from my LRSD days. We used the old desert smocks and pants, camo net with burlap. Heavy but very effective.
Valhalla is my Heaven Is it worth the weight? especially without a heli to lift you around?
As someone who watches this for the interest of it, I would have to say, this will help for absolutely anybody building ghillie suits in the long run.
Finally, I'm glad you released this video and shared the tricks of the trade, the only thing I do differently is I use a flight suit with burlap on the chest, I dont get dirt down my pants while crawling also keeps most bugs out of the suit while waiting. 😁
Thats exactly what Im using. What color did ya go with? I found a nice used desert brown suit from the surplus store for $25. I think I paid more for the net and burlap than I did the suit.
I remember that being suggested. Not that I currently have a need for a ghillie suit, but if I made one to use here in Florida, it would have to be very light or I'd probably dehydrate and/or overheat. A jumpsuit seems like a damn good idea.
@@angrypatriot5392 hey, I use the OD green military issue flight suit, it works great
@@frankvazquez4050 cut large pockets out and cover with thin fabric before you construct the suit, it will keep you cool while it's hot out
@@Zak18777 Right on. Thats awesome man. Is it finished yet?
Man, I've been always a hunter. Yours is the best explanation I've heard. I've been there, when just a little mouvement, just a little chage in light, was the signal... Patience and observatience was the key. No straight movements that nature hasn't.
Building one now for archery hunting.These tricks put me on point.Truly appreciate this tutorial.Love the rubber band and mixing different color locks together trick.This truly ups the ante for my success in the field. 🏹🦌
Man, the veil on the hat made the entire video complete for me. That is so damn convenient, as opprobrium having a wrap on the gun itself
You and I were apparently trained in the craft around he same time. However a better alternative to the rubber bands is paracord or bank line.
This Man has the best video for building a Ghille Suit that I’ve ever seen. Thank you for sharing with us your knowledge!
Brings me back to my days at Benning... good info
Great Video! The print is backwards. It appears the video is flipped left/right why?
iPhone front camera so I can make sure I’m in frame. It was done live
Awesome video! Good to hear someone who knows the detection factors and how to apply them (first video on youtube that ive heard them used when discussing ghillie construction, first time ive heard them used outside of a SOTIC context). Excluding BDUs and boonies, Hobby Lobby sells everything else you would need for those of you following along at home. (burlap, netting, glues, thread and dyes)
The water bladder against the back also absorbs a bit of body heat. And the tip of keeping the suit narrow is a good idea, Thanks. My bow has leaves on it too, good to hide behind.
This was great. I've made a few "Wookie" suits and I think I'm getting better each time but that's probably a matter of opinion. This video will help lots. I definitely learned something here. Thanks again from the great white north.
This vid is all incusive. Great job. I have been making these for 40 years and you taught me a few things.
Thank you for all the little insights like the thumb loophole an the stirups for you feet always had trouble when i backed up, now i can take my ghille to another level.
Sir, your content and demeanor is reminiscent of my uncles, both retired marines. The elder uncle used a baitboard to replace a cracked carburetor plate--fifteen miles into the Chesapeake. We made it to feet-dry.
I don't have a ghillie and prob won't make one; however, it's amazingly impressive the amount of skill and thought into making one that works so well for various conditions. Well thought out and shows your years of experience doing this. Very impressive GBGB
I have not donned a "Swiss Seat" in almost 2.5 decades and it felt so good.
Excellent video. I get asked from time to time on how to make a ghillie suit. From now on I'll just send them the link to this video.
13:45 The great thing about the new ACU trousers is that there are velcro flaps in the knee where you can add padded inserts. Not too hip on the pattern for actual concealment, but the flaps are nice for that reason.
Come to think of it, The top does also for the elbows.
Newer Multicam uniforms have those as well. Pretty handy for some light padding
Hands down best Ghillie Suit video I've seen. Thanks.
watch ripperkon has lots of ghillie suits but this is a great vid too ripperkon just goes a lot deeper n has a lot of builds .no disrespect
@@stephensmith9334 Thanks, just checked out his channel, good suggestion.
This just might be the best video in the world on this subject
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us. Much appreciated. Cheers.
Great vid and great idea with the rubber bands
What do you do for the treads of your shoes when laying down? Seems like someone on a hill or flying or even a drone could pick out the black rubber soles, is that an issue?
I only wear desert tan or coyote boots, not black. They blend better everywhere.
but isn't the outline of the sole and shadow pretty distinctive?
Shane K yes, if the shoes are not in grass or shrubs. If your feet will be exposed, you can make booties for them or extend the pant legs to cover them.
I just ordered everything I need for a ghillie after your recommendations, cant wait to put it all together!
Ghee, here is an idea, GBGB...have a Ghillie Suit Contest! The final 5 show details about construction and how to be invisible.
thank you for your service my dad served in the army for 30 years as a battle medic
Years ago I hunted an area where the whitetail deer bedded on a high knob. No matter how I tried I could only crawl so close before they spotted me. Two hops and they'd be over the back side before I could get a shot. I'd love to try that stalk with a ghillie on. Thanks for the lesson. Stay safe.
You will also have environmental issues. Wind direction and thermals can cancel all of the camo you have on. I know I crawled to within 25 ft of a nice buck a few years back. I was close enough to smell him. Then the wind changed i felt it on the back of my neck. Surprised wasn't the word . He jumped up looked my direction and trotted off . He never positively identified me. But he knew I was there and I was close.
Stalking deer is the worst. Background noise like a light rain will get you close without worrying about sound.
I was just given a suit for Christmas. Never wore one or put one together. Be perfect for hunting. Great video. Gave me alot of good tips for putting it together.
I like how the veit cong back in the day made camo patch netting with leave and stuff on thier heads and packs
That's very difficult to move around when leaf and small braches rubbing against you.
I got a few ghillie suits that the SEALs wore in desert storm, they look very similar to this (super nice quality). The biggest difference from your suit and the SEAL suits that I have are that the top is a 1 piece and the whole front is a sewn together with the padding/canvas. Definitely a pain to take on/off but definitely not going anywhere lol Great video!
My favorite concealment technique: stay still. Hahaha there were so many times when I shit in the woods just a few feet from a trail and when some farmers pass by I would just stay still and they wouldn't notice and I just watch them pass by.
Movement is the biggest give away without question, ghillie and camo don’t change that
Had a dude almost pee on me before. I almost pissed too.
@@shootmovecommunicate3322
Depending on what environment you were in, that could have been particularly bad even if he didn't notice you.
Best Ghillie video I have watched. A lot of great tips that were clearly learned by someone who used one for work and not just fun. Thank you.
The rubber bands idea is a great way to attach foliage quickly. Great idea! On a funny note maybe you can use the color hair spray to camo your beard since its already so bushy. I'd watch that video too. Cool video thanks for all the great ideas...
Excellent instruction. My brother was an SF guy and forevermore he teased me about being a Chest Beating Aww, Marine, anyway, A couple of lessons learned was there is nothing in nature the is Flat, Straight, or Round, and make sure your Vail covers the triangle from your chin to your chest. That goes to what you said about a Silhouettes and my brother could always pick me out because of my Boot heals, then when I would remember to lay my feet down in a proper position he could still see the straight line of my Boot. So what I did is I got a belt for a water pump on a car, the ones that have the segments on the contact side then I riveted it to my Boot top and I made kind of like chicken feathers for my feet. Sewed them to a boot band, problem solved. I really appreciate the shirt vent idea. Have a great day.
Awesome! Thats a good idea for the boots. I spent the last two years training Marines, I enjoyed it. We are all the same patriots with different uniforms in my opinion. And we will always bust each others balls between services!
always something of interest, always something new.
I used to have one my team leader made. He used vehicle camo netting over jlist. It was a bit wookie ish but not as bad as you might think. The jlist has all the stirrup straps and stuff already which saved a bit of work.
OH Snap.. What an awesome lesson in who to make a functioning suit. for me if TEOTWAWKI stealth is my friend.. i cant wait to try all that.. hat vial and top is amazing.. first the suit then the veg.. thanks for sharing all that. Great Lesson... I understand it is not how you are taught but how you adapt the lessons from all the proceeding instructors and snipers ahead of you, then making a suit for yourself to accomplish the best camouflage possible. Your pocket application is really super awesome... i think i get it.. thank you again ... J
Brilliant share. I have videos dating back to the 80s and GBGB is the best of all.
That was incredibly informative! Thank you! I am modifying your design as mine will be for hunting, that said, you have shared so many solid tips that I will incorporate. I will absolutely give you a shout out when I finish mine and use it on my channel! Thanks again!
THIS BY FAR, THE BEST CONTENT IV'E SEEN AND HEARD, BY FAR!!! THANKYOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND TIME FILLED WITH EXPERTISE!! 😊
Awesome tutorial!
Hands down great tutorial! Only thing I recommend is turning the clothing inside out thereby putting all your pockets inside.
I hid in plain sight with a suit on. 1 knew I was there. 20 didn't. I layed beside a tree shrub. I gave it up when one of the guys said he was getting a gun to inspect the weird noise.
a man has his needs.
I decided to watch this video and realized that I had seen it before, but you provide so many points and tips that it was like a new video. Most of the good stuff I have learned about ghillie suits and camouflage was from the book "The Ultimate Sniper" by Major John L. Plaster, but you provided a few more gems. I'm surprised how far you deconstruct your BDU's and remodel them in building your suit, but we see that the results benefit you for all your efforts.
How about permethrin? I would add that if you're in tick country. I've already been through one bout of Lyme and other co-infections. Great vid; lots of new ideas!
You could treat it with that for sure
You might want to consider this instead: www.healthrangerstore.com/products/bugs-away-spray-8-oz
Permethrin is considered a neurotoxin by many.
Thank you sir for sharing. Your mods, thumb pulls on the sleeves and bottom ties to keep the jacket in place, much like the back vent are awesome mods. Well done.
Very awesome info. This will help with bow season!
Great video. Seems like i had read a manual somewhere about turning the bdu blouse inside out so pockets were on the inside. I dig the mesh on the back great tip.
Wow. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks this help a lot im going through preparation and training now in work on my very first ghillie
We had forward a listening post and a trench just deep enough to squat down and be level with the ground. We took care and replaced the topsoil and natural grass around it. The camo must have looked fairly natural and night time because one of the guys walking through our position stood on my head and kept going. Probably thought he stood on another rock lol.