The Army wants to get the load soldiers carry down to 55 pounds

[daftandbarmy]

Better logistics systems, lighter loads for the Infantry... but up to 100lbs will still be carried from time to time.



Army leaders say that the service’s new “squad as a system” approach to kitting our soldiers with less gadgets could cut down on the total gear infantrymen have to carry.

The Army wants to reduce the amount of equipment that close combat soldiers, like the infantry, have to carry. The obvious perks are that a lighter soldier can move (and fight) faster, is less likely to injure themselves carrying everything and the kitchen sink, and has less gear to worry about getting in trouble for losing.

“No longer will we hang things on them like we hang things on a Christmas tree,” Brig. Gen. Phil Kiniery, commandant of the Army’s Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, told Task & Purpose in a statement. “In some cases, we’re giving our forces redundant capabilities at the squad level, the platoon level, and the company level. Is that necessary, effective, and efficient? In some cases, the answer will be yes, and in some cases no.”

The Army wants to get the load soldiers carry down to 55 pounds

The Army wants to cut down on redundant and excess equipment that its soldiers carry into battle, hoping that none carry more than 55 pounds.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[OldSolduer]

Better logistics systems, lighter loads for the Infantry... but up to 100lbs will still be carried from time to time.



Army leaders say that the service’s new “squad as a system” approach to kitting our soldiers with less gadgets could cut down on the total gear infantrymen have to carry.

The Army wants to reduce the amount of equipment that close combat soldiers, like the infantry, have to carry. The obvious perks are that a lighter soldier can move (and fight) faster, is less likely to injure themselves carrying everything and the kitchen sink, and has less gear to worry about getting in trouble for losing.

“No longer will we hang things on them like we hang things on a Christmas tree,” Brig. Gen. Phil Kiniery, commandant of the Army’s Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, told Task & Purpose in a statement. “In some cases, we’re giving our forces redundant capabilities at the squad level, the platoon level, and the company level. Is that necessary, effective, and efficient? In some cases, the answer will be yes, and in some cases no.”

The Army wants to get the load soldiers carry down to 55 pounds

The Army wants to cut down on redundant and excess equipment that its soldiers carry into battle, hoping that none carry more than 55 pounds.

taskandpurpose.com

How many years have we said this?

Staff officers in higher HQs have no business telling COs what troops have to carry. Let the CO and his staff figure it out.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Staff officers in higher HQs have no business telling COs what troops have to carry. Let the CO and his staff figure it out.

If only that was the way. I've done two roto 0s, and when I asked the Ops O how much ammo they wanted me to order they didn't know.

 

[OldSolduer]

If only that was the way. I've done two roto 0s, and when I asked the Ops O how much ammo they wanted me to order they didn't know.

No kidding - the good idea fairies don't always have good ideas.

 

[CountDC]

If only that was the way. I've done two roto 0s, and when I asked the Ops O how much ammo they wanted me to order they didn't know.

There is your problem, you asked the Ops O instead of the Ops WO

 

[KevinB]

How many years have we said this?

Staff officers in higher HQs have no business telling COs what troops have to carry. Let the CO and his staff figure it out.

Well the goal is to drive new gear and support systems. Most command teams may not know what is coming down the pipe or what has been developed since the last time they were actively out humping and jumping.

 

[Kirkhill]

US Army Maps Out Next Evolution of Its Robotic Mule Program

S-MET is a radio-controlled, eight-wheeled robotic logistics platform supporting Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, EOD units, and Security Force Assistance Brigades.

nextgendefense.com

This dicussion almost invariably brings out the comment that when the army moves to lighten the load with lighter kit the 100 lb ruck becomes filled with 100 lbs of light stuff.

Looking at these pictures it seems that even when the troops have their own personal CQ vehicle accompanying them they are still humping 100 lb rucks.

The same problem shows up with 5 tonne LUVs.

Given the opportunity everybody will carry everything "just in case".

 

[GR66]

This dicussion almost invariably brings out the comment that when the army moves to lighten the load with lighter kit the 100 lb ruck becomes filled with 100 lbs of light stuff.

Looking at these pictures it seems that even when the troops have their own personal CQ vehicle accompanying them they are still humping 100 lb rucks.

The same problem shows up with 5 tonne LUVs.

Given the opportunity everybody will carry everything "just in case".

Maybe part of the problem is that soldier load is looked at as an issue distinct from logistics/resupply. The reason soldiers want to carry everything they might conceivably need is that there isn't enough trust that the supply system can get them what they need as quickly as they need it.

Having an electric mule with you allows you to carry more stuff. Having a combat "Door Dash" system that can reliably get you what you need when you need it would allow you to carry less stuff.