It's a good idea- One you should roll with.

But they still would have stolen his gear, probably for study, since the U.S is a greedy fackin' business empire even in the midst of the apocalypse. So he wouldn't have all of that, definitely.

Mainly because the point of this RP is less "Kill all the zombies and bandits" and more "Lots of talking and walking! And sometimes a zombie shows up."