The Overburdened Infantry Soldier

[211RadOp]

Troops can be dumb and carry dumb things.  Can't fix the kit weight gap fast (ie use new tech in short timeframe) so how about a unit make a kitlist that makes sense and allows for some variability due to role/posn and leaders lead and do inspections and ruthlessly culls kit not required.

A few years ago we were in Pet for IBTS.  During the time there, we moved out of the biv into the woods for two nights to give the younger soldiers some experience in sleeping under the stars.  While watching my Sect pack, I noticed a young lady packing her hair dryer and curling iron into her ruck.  I quickly stopped her and had another young lady with more experience help her re-pack.  The look on her face though when I asked her where she intended on plugging in her hairdryer was priceless.

 

[daftandbarmy]

A few years ago we were in Pet for IBTS.  During the time there, we moved out of the biv into the woods for two nights to give the younger soldiers some experience in sleeping under the stars.  While watching my Sect pack, I noticed a young lady packing her hair dryer and curling iron into her ruck.  I quickly stopped her and had another young lady with more experience help her re-pack.  The look on her face though when I asked her where she intended on plugging in her hairdryer was priceless.

That's awesome. I suppose she thought there were currant bushes in the training area?

 

[FJAG]

That's awesome. I suppose she thought there were currant bushes in the training area?

She probably expected that there would be a power plant.  ;D

:cheers:

 

[medicineman]

We're going to need a new thread just for puns if this keeps up...

MM

 

[PuckChaser]

We're going to need a new thread just for puns if this keeps up...

MM

It'd probably just unravel.

 

[Retired AF Guy]

It'd probably just unravel.

Prickly subject it appears.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Weight of War: Gear that protects troops also injures them

Military studies acknowledge that combat soldiers are carrying too much weight — often more than 100 pounds. These loads have contributed to soaring numbers of injuries, and higher costs in disability payments.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/weight-of-war-gear-that-protects-troops-also-injures-them/

 

[a_majoor]

This isn't really a new problem:

 

[FJAG]

This isn't really a new problem:

But every century contained eighty combatants and twenty non combatant servants. Each contubernium of ten men had two servants within it who were responsible for the squad's pack mule and tent, and ensuring that the eight combatants were properly hydrated on the march.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_reforms

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contubernium

That still left an estimated 60 lbs plus of armour, weapons, and other equipment on each legionary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_military_personal_equipment

I've been on exercises with Italian pack mules in the Alps. It's not that much fun and they are harder to train than the soldiers.  ;D

:cheers:

 

[daftandbarmy]

Ironic.... our body armour is killing us....

Army Body Armor May Be Too Heavy for Combat, Report Finds

The document draws on past reports that have estimated soldiers routinely carried an average of 119 pounds apiece in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, one-third of medical evacuations from the battlefield between 2004 to 2007 were due to spinal, connective tissue, or musculoskeletal injuries -- twice as many injuries as were sustained from combat.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/09/25/army-body-armor-may-be-too-heavy-combat-report-finds.html#.W6wI-g2ez8Z.facebook