[Farmboy]

2008 to 2012 is quite a broad period... There's been MANY changes in the kits throughout that time. I suggest to choose a more specific year

Bingo.

New weapon sling

For years, Marines have complained about the standard three-point combat assault sling used on service rifles, with many buying an alternative option. Marksmanship officials addressed that by adopting the Vickers Combat Applications two-point sling, made by Blue Force Gear, of Pooler, Ga.

The two-point design allows Marines to better stabilize their rifles while firing, Wade said. It’s unlikely that the Corps will roll out a new sling for every Marine all at once, but it will become the recommended option when battalions order new gear.

The Vickers sling already was adopted as the new standard for the M27 after 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii — the first unit to deploy to Afghanistan with the IAR — recommended it this summer. New deliveries of the weapon, made by Heckler and Koch Defense, now include it, said Robert Reidsma, who oversees the IAR program for HK.