Tie it up ... right!

Crewmen, elastic straps are the thing to use for stowing equipment in your Bradley. But you need to use the right strap in the right place.

A strap used in the wrong place or for the wrong purpose can snap or slip loose. You could lose an eye if that happens.

Here's a list of the authorized straps and where to use them on all Bradleys:

                                                             Strap NSN
           Vehicle                          Use               5340-01-

M2, M2A1                          Ball port weapons          196-4677
M2, M2A1, M2A2                    Missiles (vertically)      312-9553
M3, M3A1, M3A2, M3A2 ODS, M3A3    25mm ammo box              196-4677
M3, M3A1, M3A2, M3A2 ODS, M3A3    Missile rack               198-0508
M2A2, M2A2 ODS                    Right squad bench seat     461-3805
M2A2, M2A2 ODS                    Left squad bench seat      457-0202
M3A2, M3A2 ODS, M3A3              Bench seat                 459-7941
M7 BFIST                          NBC decontamination box    196-4677

* Keep your face away from the release path when putting a strap in place. If the strap breaks, it can fly up and hit you in the face.

* Properly secure the strap. When stretching an elastic strap, make sure you secure it to the attachment point shown in the TM. Then bend the strap hook slightly to keep it from coming free. Double check to make sure the hook can't be knocked loose accidentally.

* Never use damaged straps. Damaged straps can snap suddenly and send one end flying. Eyeball the straps for cuts and cracks. If you find one, remove it and order a new strap.

* Never use a commercially available strap. They may snap or slip loose unexpectedly. Even authorized straps don't have part numbers marked on them, so it's easy to use them in the wrong place.