Metal gear portable ops problem

hello

well this might be a sort of an odd request but nevertheless.

i recently bought a psp and portable ops plus, i did the first mission without any issues. before the second mission however i used the management to equip my alpha unit with AKs and other stuff but once i start the mission, they dont have that equipement that i just gave them! i don't understand why! the colonel tells me that i start missions "naked" but then what is the purpose of equipping in management and how come my brother was able to equip and do 1 mission before it "autostripped" him of his gear.

if you could help me with this i'd be most grateful.. thanks!

because then what's the point of finding gears on levels if u can't bring them back to use them in any other mission