backpack gear

[dutchie]

i would like to know how many kg/pounds a marine/para/ranger takes with him fully packed.
What is the basic gear he takes with him. Also how many miles/km does he walk during training with that?

Thanks,


Dutchie

[TacoDelRio]

What's the objective/reason for being out?

[BrianT]

Depends. If you're talking about a real mission overseas, you're not usually totting around a rucksack full of ****. You've got you're plate carrier, soft body armor, and MICH, which is like 25-30lbs probably total. Probably mags of 5.56. Not sure how much that weighs plus Rangers are using steel mags and not cheap aluminum ones so they're heavier. You could get stuck carrying a skidco, assault ladders, or breaching tools. You've probably got a 3-quart camelback.

If you're in a weapons squad you're carrying 7.62 which is 7lbs per 100rds. You'll probably carry 400rds, but it's all METT-C dependent. Hell if you rope into an objective, someones got to carry the ropes back. A mk48 weighs 17.3lbs without attachments. A 240B weighs 27.6lbs and someone might need to carry a tripod, but they have aluminum ones that are quite light. A mk46 I think weighs 12.5lbs. You'll typically carry 600rds of 5.56. You might carry a MRE just in case. Movements overseas won't usually go over 3km to an objective.

I'm going to say 70-100lbs typically.

Training? You just pack for weight. I've seen guys just throw weights in there rucks looking like they aren't rolling anything in their ruck and I'll barely be able to pick it up.

[Green_Machine]

If you are looking for what types of loads and distances/times SF candidates use for pre selection training, get a copy of SFAS Physical Training Handbook (PT-31-210-SWCS). I got a copy last year at FT Drum, they had tons of them to hand out, any recruitment office should have some kicking around. You can see a basic version here.

www.bragg.army.mil/specialforces/downloads/SFAS%20PT%20Schedule.doc

Its an awesome workout, and gets you into shape fast.

[dangerdan87]

total weight for me was 120lbs of combat loaded

[Jsjoholm]

It always depended on what the assignemnt was suppose to be. The biggest question was always "how often will we be resupplied, and how far away will we be away from our supply sources?".

As stated before, metal magazines and those add a bit on to the weight. There is a lot to be said, and learned, about learning how to pack a backpack properly, to distribute the weigth and to make sure that what you need to have readily available is readily available.

Always pack too much water if you don't know for sure that you will have access to a water source at all times, and even then pack more water then you think you will need. Water weighs, but is worth its weight in blood. Makes for decent training though to carry large amounts of water around.

[XIE]

40-50 kg is not unreasonable.

Train for 30kg in pack alone. No weapon or webbing included in this weight.

[Sabre]

i would like to know how many kg/pounds a marine/para/ranger takes with him fully packed.
What is the basic gear he takes with him. Also how many miles/km does he walk during training with that?

Thanks,


Dutchie

Speaking from a British point of view:

A normal infantryman will carry standard ammo scales in his belt kit (180 rounds, grenade and smoke) plus roughly the same again in his bergen, plus sleeping system, rations, water and any platoon ammunition (GPMG link, LAW or 51mm rounds in the old days) and any specific equipment (radio etc). Weight will vary a tad depending on their role. Distances can be anywhere in the double figures of km, but the 'basic' level of fitness is assessed by the ability to 'tab' with 55lbs for 8 miles in under 2 hours.

A Royal Marine will carry the same, with the addition of extra wash kit (for the four scrubs a day), a little black dress 'for that special occasion' and loads of spare socks because they always get their feet wet. They tend to go for longer walks, but the call them 'yomps' instead of tabs.

Paras carry a water bottle, and a bergen filled with as much metal as possible. Distances involved are at least 1 km further than the Royal Marines, even if it involves taking the scenic route, and start at a DZ instead of a beachead. However, tabs can only start after one has broken their ankle on jumping in. p-)

Hope that helps.

[Hydro]

A Royal Marine will always carry at least two roll mats, in case the fighting gets really bad.

[velvet-cream]

Always pack too much water if you don't know for sure that you will have access to a water source at all times, and even then pack more water then you think you will need. Water weighs, but is worth its weight in blood. Makes for decent training though to carry large amounts of water around.

Training with a pack full of water is a good idea. If you don't have enough canteens, just use 2 litre soft drink bottles. Water has a decent weight, with the advantage of low cost. (and you can drink it if your thirsty)

The other advantage is, if you over exert (or injure) yourself whilst training with the pack, you can always pour the water out to make it lighter for the trip home. (as opposed to stuffing your pack with odd gear / iron weights that you can't just "dump")

[Sand Man]

Depends. If you're talking about a real mission overseas, you're not usually totting around a rucksack full of ****. You've got you're plate carrier, soft body armor, and MICH, which is like 25-30lbs probably total. Probably mags of 5.56. Not sure how much that weighs plus Rangers are using steel mags and not cheap aluminum ones so they're heavier. You could get stuck carrying a skidco, assault ladders, or breaching tools. You've probably got a 3-quart camelback.

If you're in a weapons squad you're carrying 7.62 which is 7lbs per 100rds. You'll probably carry 400rds, but it's all METT-C dependent. Hell if you rope into an objective, someones got to carry the ropes back. A mk48 weighs 17.3lbs without attachments. A 240B weighs 27.6lbs and someone might need to carry a tripod, but they have aluminum ones that are quite light. A mk46 I think weighs 12.5lbs. You'll typically carry 600rds of 5.56. You might carry a MRE just in case. Movements overseas won't usually go over 3km to an objective.

I'm going to say 70-100lbs typically.

Training? You just pack for weight. I've seen guys just throw weights in there rucks looking like they aren't rolling anything in their ruck and I'll barely be able to pick it up.

I watched the Ranger vid a while back and I almost felt sorry for the dude who carried the AT strapped across his back along all the stuff BrianT mentioned above .... But, damn, he doesn't seem to mind, though.

[Sabre]

Training with a pack full of water is a good idea. If you don't have enough canteens, just use 2 litre soft drink bottles. Water has a decent weight, with the advantage of low cost. (and you can drink it if your thirsty)

The other advantage is, if you over exert (or injure) yourself whilst training with the pack, you can always pour the water out to make it lighter for the trip home. (as opposed to stuffing your pack with odd gear / iron weights that you can't just "dump")

For training, you really ought to carry useful kit. If you're out in the boonies and you go down with an injury, you need to be able to sort yourself out with food/shelter/aid. Start with low weight (25lbs) and work up to a good tabbing weight (55lbs). Dont run with it as you'll only fvck up your joints. Steady hill walks are the best for strength.

[dutchie]

Thank you all, for all the information. I have such a great respect for the army guys, When i see them walking with all that gear with them, in that heat. And being concentrated for any enemy attacks. RESPECT.

I'm training for a 50 miles (80 km) march. I want to do that fully packed. I go on training till i can.

Thanks,

[schwarz]

Thank you all, for all the information. I have such a great respect for the army guys, When i see them walking with all that gear with them, in that heat. And being concentrated for any enemy attacks. RESPECT.

I'm training for a 50 miles (80 km) march. I want to do that fully packed. I go on training till i can.

Thanks,


Good lord man, why may I ask? Anyways good luck and you can do it if you stay focused......

[TacoDelRio]

Good lord man, why may I ask? Anyways good luck and you can do it if you stay focused......

Sounds like my weekends. p-)

What's the long distance march for?

[dutchie]

Sounds like my weekends. p-)

What's the long distance march for?


its called the kennedy march, 50 miles march has to be done in less then 20 hours.

why i do it? just to prove myself i can

[velvet-cream]

For training, you really ought to carry useful kit. If you're out in the boonies and you go down with an injury, you need to be able to sort yourself out with food/shelter/aid. Start with low weight (25lbs) and work up to a good tabbing weight (55lbs). Dont run with it as you'll only fvck up your joints. Steady hill walks are the best for strength.

Yeah I understand that. I still carry some med supplies, shelter and a bit of food (which doesn't weigh much at all). Sure, fill the pack up with some bare essentials first (which doesn't weigh much). Then to increase the weight of the pack use water, instead of odd gear (ie useless sh|t) or iron weights.

When I said "training" i was referring to relatively short stints (ie short "walks" several hours at the most), as opposed to actual training exercises where you could be in the bush for a while. I do most of it on roads or tracks that aren't too isolated, just in case I do get an injury and need to ask someone for help. Also, if you have a minor injury or sprain, as I said before, you can dump most of the water to significantly lighten the load to limp home.

[schwarz]

its called the kennedy march, 50 miles march has to be done in less then 20 hours.

why i do it? just to prove myself i can


As good of reason as any..Good luck manwoot

[XIE]

Dont start with much weight at all. Or all you will be doing is going to the doctor for lower leg injuries.

[scuba]

Training with a pack full of water is a good idea. If you don't have enough canteens, just use 2 litre soft drink bottles. Water has a decent weight, with the advantage of low cost. (and you can drink it if your thirsty)

The other advantage is, if you over exert (or injure) yourself whilst training with the pack, you can always pour the water out to make it lighter for the trip home. (as opposed to stuffing your pack with odd gear / iron weights that you can't just "dump")

V. Cream, I don't know about you, but when I used to use the 2 litre soft drink bottles, I always found that they would leak. In the end I just used a jerry can full of water, only problem was if I drank some water from my water bottle and filled up from the jerry, on the way home, the water in the jerry can would slosh about, really messed up my balance.

[velvet-cream]

V. Cream, I don't know about you, but when I used to use the 2 litre soft drink bottles, I always found that they would leak. In the end I just used a jerry can full of water, only problem was if I drank some water from my water bottle and filled up from the jerry, on the way home, the water in the jerry can would slosh about, really messed up my balance.

I believe you. But down under, i find 2 litre plastic "coke" bottles more than adequate. They're relatively tough, and hold up to the pressure of been pushed around or even dropped. I specifically mentioned soft drink (fizzy drink) bottles because they are usually a bit tougher than juice bottles. I've never had one leak on me.

Perhaps the construction of soft drink bottles are of poorer quality in North America.....

[scuba]

I found that once I started going, after a while, maybe stuff moving around and stuff, Water would leak out from between the bottle cap and the thread. Actually now that I think about it, not all the bottles or containers that I used before were the 2 litre pop types, I had some 1 litre stuff and juice containers as well. Maybe the 2 litres didn't leak at all and it was the other stuff that was a problem...hard to tell what leaked or not once everything is soaked.

Also I was in England then.

[TacoDelRio]

its called the kennedy march, 50 miles march has to be done in less then 20 hours.

why i do it? just to prove myself i can

Sounds like fun. Good reason. You'll probably want to do it alot.

Link for the people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_march

[oldsoak]

I believe you. But down under, i find 2 litre plastic "coke" bottles more than adequate. They're relatively tough, and hold up to the pressure of been pushed around or even dropped. I specifically mentioned soft drink (fizzy drink) bottles because they are usually a bit tougher than juice bottles. I've never had one leak on me.

Perhaps the construction of soft drink bottles are of poorer quality in North America.....

Until we all got fancy with camelbacks and the like, a 2l coke bottle was only way to carry extra water on our little "jaunts". That and a 2 pint ( 1 litre ) waterbottle. The coke bottle shaped container was of a thicker guage plastic IIRC. The cheapest and nastiest ones were the cut price own brand jobbies.

[Sabre]

Until we all got fancy with camelbacks and the like, a 2l coke bottle was only way to carry extra water on our little "jaunts". That and a 2 pint ( 1 litre ) waterbottle. The coke bottle shaped container was of a thicker guage plastic IIRC. The cheapest and nastiest ones were the cut price own brand jobbies.

I thought back then you only had glass coca-cola bottles with corks in the top, and when you'd finished with them you'd hand them out to boys with short trousers and side partings who'd take them down the shop and get 6d back for a dozen empties...p-)

[oldsoak]

I thought back then you only had glass coca-cola bottles with corks in the top, and when you'd finished with them you'd hand them out to boys with short trousers and side partings who'd take them down the shop and get 6d back for a dozen empties...p-)

:lol:
lies, all lies ! ...it was 3d a dozen.....

[Cpl Steiner]

Two pillows is all you need,thats what one of my mates had once in his bergan whilst we were on spearhead.

We got called out once and spent two weeks on a snow topped sennybridge(SQMS booked it),my mate was casevaced off after two days with immersion foot and a severe case of the gibbers.

As for real combat loads,try lobbing in with two sand filled cardboard barmines inside your container and moving off the DZ with a sand trail that even Handsel and Gretel could follow:bash:

Better still try two hayricks or a dems ladder.(rattle)

Need my meds now,out.

"I am sapper 2,3 bended knee,knife,fork and spoon!"