Posted on Sep 30, 2018
Do modern day soldiers always carry the 100 to 120 lbs of stuff - P-vest, weapons, ammo, radios, ruck, extra ammo into the fight?
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One of the things we did during my tenure (early 70s to early 90s) was we would cache, under security, our rucks before moving to a recon area, ambush site or attack objective. We carried on our bodys only our fighting gear to the fight. Total weight was between 30 and 40 pounds.
We had the old flak jackets but they were something we wore in the vehicles. The majority of the Scout Sgts I knew left them in the rear - we didn't ever wear steelpots or flak jackets on patrols, because we would break contact if compromised.
Do you not do that now? If not maybe a re-look at that technique.
We had the old flak jackets but they were something we wore in the vehicles. The majority of the Scout Sgts I knew left them in the rear - we didn't ever wear steelpots or flak jackets on patrols, because we would break contact if compromised.
Do you not do that now? If not maybe a re-look at that technique.
Military History
Combat
Infantryman
Scout
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 13
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Carrying a lot of water these days, at least in Afghanistan. That's a good 30 lbs right there.
That and IOTV, ammo, batteries... adds up in a hurry.
That and IOTV, ammo, batteries... adds up in a hurry.
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SGT Stan Setliff
Mid '80's mortar crew we were often closer to 150 lbs. with mortar rounds, radios and batteries. Led to 1 individual with an abdominal muscle tear, 1 with a hernia, and my screwed up back. Trainning and operational list weren't always examined from a weight aspect. Line dogz could drop most of their weight, but our gear went with us. Transition from 81's to 60mm's, they were smaller, so you could carry more. Right? Over weight rucks led to hard airborne landings. No whine intended, guys.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
SGT Stan Setliff - In Korea, we did the 'Warrior Walks' using TO&E equipment. Personal Weapons, Crew-served and Squad. I set up our, M16 rifles, LBE, basic load of 5.56, granades, claymores (1 per man) and rucks (with all CO required winter soldier gear).
THEN behind it I had the Crew-served weapons (1 per vehicle - mine was a M113) with our MA-Deuce and it's Spare Barrel, Spare-barrel Kit,, Tripod, TO&E Mechanism, and 800 rounds of 50cal Ball.
THEN started laying out the Squad Equipment of NVGs, Starlights Scope (includng the MA-Deuece's), 72 hours C-rats ... Well at that point the CO asked my 2LT (he and Top were in on it) what he thought HIS portion of the gear he could carry?
The 2LT got the message and stopped us.
Good Times!
THEN behind it I had the Crew-served weapons (1 per vehicle - mine was a M113) with our MA-Deuce and it's Spare Barrel, Spare-barrel Kit,, Tripod, TO&E Mechanism, and 800 rounds of 50cal Ball.
THEN started laying out the Squad Equipment of NVGs, Starlights Scope (includng the MA-Deuece's), 72 hours C-rats ... Well at that point the CO asked my 2LT (he and Top were in on it) what he thought HIS portion of the gear he could carry?
The 2LT got the message and stopped us.
Good Times!
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SGT Stan Setliff
SFC Ralph E Kelley We were on a trainning cycle in Panama at the Jungle Warfare Center 82nd. Jump was bad enough. I got a machette from one of the guys and started cuttin a road. CO showed up wanting to know what all the noise was, and got an ear full. Long story short, they slowed down.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
SGT Stan Setliff - Gatun DZ. or as we called "The Land of Reeds". When we Scouts were told to 'clear it' one time - it being Dry Season - we burned it off about 3 days prior. Nice and clear with just a lit' bit of muck under the char. Everyone landing got to their feet with uniforms, gear and skin soot-black as a new moon ninga.
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Very well said, same here during the early 70's, even more lite with the LRRP or out on OP.
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