Worn on Body/Uniform:
*

·******* M4 Carbine with PEQ-2 Laser/PAQ-4 Laser,
ACOG/CCO,and 30 rounds of 5.56mm
ball ammunition.
·******* Desert Camouflage Uniform with
Infrared Tape on left sleeve (1”x 1”).
·******* Desert Combat Boots.
·******* Dog Tags.
·******* ID Card.
·******* Undershirt.
·******* Socks.
·******* Tactical gloves.
·******* Interceptor Body Armor with two
Small Arms Protective Inserts.
·******* Advanced Combat Helmet with
night vision mounting plate.
·******* Rigger belt.
·******* Notebook and pen.
·******* Watch.
·******* Knee and elbow pads.
·******* Sun, Sand, and Dust type Goggles or
Wiley-X Goggles.
·******* Folding Knife/Multi-tool.
Worn on Fighting Load Carrier/
Interceptor Body Armor:
*

·******* MOLLE Fighting Load Carrier with modular
MOLLE pouches.
·******* 180 rounds of 5.56mm ball ammunition.
·******* Bayonet.
·******* Fragmentation grenade.
·******* 64 ounces of water in two 1 quart canteens.
·******* Casualty and witness cards.
·*******100 ounces of water in hydration system.
Flex cuffs for personnel under custody.
·******* Night vision equipment (PVS-14/PVS-7).
·******* Iodine tablets.
·******* Lensatic compass.
·******* Flashlight.
·******* Chemlight.
·******* First Aid dressing and pouch.
·******* Canteen Cup.
·******* Ear plugs.

The combination of these
two lists makes up the
Fighting Load (Avg=63 lbs)

Carried in Assault Rucksack:
*
·******* MOLLE Assault Rucksack or commercial assault rucksack, with MOLLE attachments.
·******* 500ml intravenous fluids bag with starter kit.
·******* 70 ounces of water in hydration system.
·******* Two Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs).
·******* Poncho and/or Bivy Sack.
·******* Poncho liner.
·******* Undershirt.
·******* Spare batteries.
·******* Two pair of socks.
·******* Polypropylene or silk long sleeve undershirt.
·******* M4/M16 Rifle Cleaning Kit.
·******* Personal hygiene kit.
·******* Rubber gloves.
·******* Sling rope with two snap links.

Assault Rucksack + Fighting Load=
Approach March Load (Avg=96 lbs)

Carried in Main Rucksack: (Main rucksacks were rarely taken
on operations during study)
*
·******* MOLLE main rucksack with Sleeping Bag Carrier or Large ALICE rucksack.
·******* Improved Sleeping Bag (usually Green bag carried one per two men).
·******* Long Underwear or Polypropylene Jacket and Coveralls.
·******* Two Undershirts.
·******* Two pairs of socks.
·******* Cold Weather Gloves.
·******* Knit/Fleece Cap.
·******* Additional ammunition.
·******* Two Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs).
·******* Sleeping pad.

Main Rucksack + Fighting Load +
Assault Rucksack (sometimes)=
Emergency Approach March Load
(Avg=127 lbs)

That was the rifleman, course, he can only move as fast as the slowest guy.

If you want to see more, check out CALL. Look for the Devil CAAT study.


Anyway, why the hell are we so insistent on ignoring our own FMs? Those old guys already learned these lessons. What does FM 21-18 have to say about all this?