Packing

In general, I think about equipment as four nested and mutually supported levels. Remember: Start with the mission, what do you ACTUALLY need, not what you MAY need.

Level 1: On my person

These items generally go on my person (mission dependent):

• Weapon (Secondary weapon (and additional ammo))
• Knife
• Medical Equipment (1-2 Tourniquets)
• Mission Equipment (Handcuffs/ zip ties, small amount of 550 cord, Signaling device, compass, lanyard)
• SERE equipment (E&E equipment, dense snack)

Level 2: Items on my kit

These items generally go on my body armor or vest (mission dependent):

• Weapon (Primary weapon (and ammo))
• Knife
• Medical Equipment (medical pouch- stop bleeding, 18ga needle, bandages, medicine, airway, blanket)
• Mission Equipment (Radio(s), Grenades, 1” Tubular Nylon, spare radio batteries, water, antennas, breaching equipment)
• SERE Equipment (Extended E&E)

Level 3: Items in my ruck

These items are generally in my Ruck (mission dependent):

• Weapon (Additional Ammo, Mortars, linked ammo, spare parts)
• Medical Equipment (Additional medical equipment, Litters, etc.)
• Mission Equipment (Spare batteries, water, food, beacons, weapon cleaning equipment, etc.)
• Sustainment Items (spare uniforms, boots, wet weather gear, poncho, poncho liner, waterproofing, hygiene equipment, etc.)

Level 4: Items in my sustainment bag

These items are generally in a kit bag located with company trains (mission dependent):

• Redundancy to replace above listed items
• Cold weather equipment (If they will be needed, then they should be in the ruck)
• Additional sustainment items
• Comfort items

Final Thoughts

When it comes to equipment and packing it, a common phrase is that ounces equal pounds. This means that the accumulation of every extra ounce of equipment you add to your packing list results in adding unneeded pounds. It may seem fine to include an extra magazine or an extra pair of pants…it all adds up to extra pounds on your back. During Best Ranger in 2013, my partner and I were meticulous about weight, always preferring the lighter option or the lightest option that we could make due with. This resulted in us starting the competition with rucks that weighted 6-7lbs lighter than the other competitors–imagine the effects of an extra 6-7lbs across the 60-70 miles we walked that weekend!

That being said, most mission equipment is heavy. Backpackers have found that it is best to carry heavy equipment higher and as close to your shoulders as possible. When packing your ruck, keep your comfort items in the bottom and the mission equipment towards the top and as close to your back as possible (which usually means heavier items are in the optimal location–which is great).

As you gain experience in the field, similar to many discussions in the hiking community, you will learn what you actually need and what you can leave in your storage locker. Scrutinize every piece of equipment and if it cannot be used for multiple applications, do you really need it for the one time that you might use it, or could something else do an adequate enough job without the need to carry extra equipment just in case you need it? A general rule is that if the item only does one thing, it can be replaced by something else that has multiple functions.

The last time you were in the field, what sleeping bag did you take with you? Prior to the Army issuing everyone the modular sleep system, unless you lived in an arctic or cold weather area, the answer was, “what sleeping bag?". Soldiers would carry their poncho and poncho liner and make a sleeping bag out of them if they were fortunate enough to get some sleep in a patrol base (did you realize that is what the ties and snaps are for?). Unless it is prudent due to weather predictions, keep the thick bags in your resupply bag (trust that your 1SG and XO can and will resupply you if the weather changes) and make due with your poncho, poncho liner, a light bag if you need a comfort blanket and the gore-tex bivy cover if you expect rain (perhaps my favorite piece of Army equipment). With these items and each other, you will be warm enough to stave off hypothermia. The goal is not to sleep like you are in a luxury hotel, it is to just stay warm enough to remain mission effective.