I read your post and I cringe. But please do not tell me that someone has dropped the ball before you guys even leave. There is money for that and the SuppO of your unit or whichever unit you are attached to is responsible for that. You are wasting your money if you are making this on your dime. When they tell you to buy them, ask whether whether the CO will give a letter to endorse this.
The problem is that you have some sections in the Battalion on their own program; if only they would ask the SuppO.
What usually happens is that alot of the junior Marines get all excited and start buying gear they absolutely do not need. All the items you need will be issued before you go play at 29 Palms. If you are lucky, you will get them when you get back.
The Reserve are no different from Active Duty and they also get force fed items such as field gear. I think you are getting impatient and there is no reason for it. No Commander will let you step on the plane to any theater without gear. This is not OIF I, and there is more gear laying around the place than you can think of. The Marine Corps has bought more gear in the last ten years than it did during the Cold War.