A Little Weight List

The Lizard Farmer

There’s been a lotta talk about load weights lately (pic stolen from CA @ WRSA by the way). Years back there was a soldier loads study done in Afghanistan by the folks at the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL).  For the unaware the CALL guys try and capture tips and info that will benefit the military as a whole.   I dug a copy I had out and pulled the weight list they came up with and cleaned a lot of the stuff that you wouldn’t normally carry (anyone out there got a CLU or MWTS?).  Anyway I’m putting this up for posterity and maybe you’ll find it useful.

•  Advanced Combat Helmet 3.25
• ALICE Ruck w/frame (empty -Large) 6.00
• Aviator Gloves 0.81
• Battery, AA 0.81
• Battery, AAA 0.94
• Battery, D 0.31
• Battery, 9V 0.375
• Bayonet M9 w/Scabbard 1.62
• Belt, Rigger Rescue 0.1875
• Bivy Sack (MOLLE) 1.31
• Bivy Sack Cover (MOLLE) 2.25
• Black Gloves 0.1875
• Black Heavy Sleeping Bag 4
• Black Silk Underwear Bottoms 0.31
• Black Silk Underwear Tops 0.44
• Bolt Cutters 18″ Commercial Issue 3.31
• Boots, Desert Camouflage-Altama Brand 3
• Boots, Desert Camouflage-Belville Brand 3.75
• Boots, Combat Black 4.0625
• Boots, Winter w/Inserts 4.9375
• Boots, Rubber Overboots 2
• Butt Pack, MOLLE 0.50
• Canteen Cup 0.50
• Canteen, Plastic 1 QT w/Water 2.50
• Chapstick 0.0625
• Chemical Light (ChemLite) 0.125
• Close Combat Optics (Aimpoint) M-68 0.375
• ACOG (TA01)  10 oz.
• Cold Weather Fleece Bibb Overalls 1.25
• Cold Weather Fleece Top 2.31
• Cold Weather Gloves 0.25
• Cold Weather Glove Liners 0.125
• Combat Life Saver Bag 6.75
• Compass, Lensatic 0.25
• Cover, Field Pack 0.81
• Boonie Cap 0.1875
• Camouflage Uniform Bottom (BDU) 1.5625
• Camouflage Uniform Top (BDU) 1.50
• Patrol Cap 0.1875
• Drawers, Cotton 0.1875
• Elbow Pads 0.0625
• Entrenching Tool 2.50
• Entrenching Tool Carrier 0.50
• Expandable Baton (Large) 1.25
• Expandable Baton (Small) 0.75
• Field Dressing, Israeli 0.1875
• Field Dressing, Standard 0.25
• Field Dressing Pouch 0.25
• Flashlight, weapon mounted 0.25
• Foot Powder 0.1875
• Global Positioning System (Civilian) 0.3125
• Gloves, Intermediate Cold Weather 0.25
• Gloves, Intermediate Cold Weather (Flyers) 0.375
• Sun, Sand, and Dust type Wiley-X Goggles 0.1875
• Gortex, Cold Weather Bottom 3.4375
• Gortex, Cold Weather Top 4.0625
• Gortex, Light Weather Bottom (Wet Weather pants)1.25
• Gortex, Light Weather Top (Wet weather jacket) 2.5625
• Grenade, Smoke 1.1875
• Holster, Weapon M9 1.50
• Identification Tags 0.3125
• Interceptor Body Armor with SAPI plates (2) and no neck guard and no crotch guard 17.50
• Intravenous Therapy Kit 1.50
• Kevlar Ballistic PASGT Helmet 3.35
• Knee Pads 0.9375
• Laundry Bag 0.75
• MagLight 0.1875
• Magazine M9 0.25
• Magazine M4/M16 w/ 30 Rounds 1.375
• Magazine, M4/M16 w/30 Rounds (Canadian Thermold) 1
• Meal, Long Range Patrol 1
• Meal, Ready To Eat 1.50
• Medic Bag 19.50
• MOLLE, Ammunition Pouch 5.56MM 0.1875
• MOLLE, Assault Pack 3.0625
• MOLLE, Bandoleer 0.375
• MOLLE, Canteen Pouch 0.375
• MOLLE, Grenade Pouch 0.0625
• MOLLE, Rucksack 8.25
• MOLLE, Side Pouches 0.50
• MOLLE, Sleeping Bag Carrier 1.0625
• Multi-Tool (e.g., Leatherman) 0.50
• Neck Gator 0.0625
• Night Vision Goggle, PVS-7D 1
• On-The-Move Hydration System (MOLLE camelback) 0.75
• Pace Cord 0.0625
• Pad, Sleeping, Self-Inflating 1.3125
• Patrol, Sleeping Bag 2.4375
• Pistol, M9, 9MM 2.50
• Pocket Knife, Personal 0.25
• Poly Pro Bottom 0.5625
• Poly Pro Top 0.6875
• Poncho 1.3125
• Poncho Liner 1.875
• Rifle, M4, 5.56MM 4.24
• Rifle, M14, 7.62MM 12
• Scope, Spotter M144 2.75
• Sewing Kit 0.0625
• 12 Gauge Shotgun Round 0.0625
• Skedco Litter 17.50
• Sling Rope 0.75
• Sling, Weapons 0.375
• Small Arms Protective Insert Plates (SAPI), each 4.50
• Snap Link 0.25
• Socks, Wool, Pr. 0.1875
• Socks, Various Fabric, Pr. 0.3125
• Stuff Sack 0.8125
• Toilet Articles 2.50
• Towel 0.50
• Undershirt, Brown 0.375
• Weapons Cleaning Kit, M16 0.3125
• Watch Cap 0.125
• Waterproof Bag 0.1875
• Wrist Watch 0.1875

The bottom line is that’s a lotta shit.  Too much shit.  I’ve carried most of that crap (along with a lot of other stuff) during both training and deployments and hated it.  The jist of what I’m trying to get to is the study found that soldiers approach loads typically were over 75% of their body weight. That’s way too much weight for the average person that isn’t conditioned to carry that kind of load.  Hell given the wrong conditions (110 degree heat) and it’s too much load for a lot of guys that carry it.

Years ago when I was a young skeeter wing DICK we did a squad live fire at the end of a 10k (just over six miles) approach march carrying everything we owned and were going to use in some good old North Cackilacky heat.   As soon as we dumped our packs and staged for the assault I watched my Team Leader flop over and start doing the shake rattle and roll – heat stroke.  Needless to say we were down one because bouncing back from heat stroke ain’t exactly something you can do one the spot.

I’ll add this – my TL was one of those guys that was tougher than anyone (“I don’t need to drink water” types).  Kiddos water is life.  Ammo is life.  First aid is a lifesaver.  Focus on those 3 Fs: Food (incl. water), Firecrackers (ammo) and First aid.  Unless you’re operating in constant sub freezing temps and need protective gear the majority of rest of that crap is weight (not all of it but really an e-tool?  Would a garden trowel work as well?).  And there’s an old saying: “Ounces are pounds, pounds are pain”.

Here’s an online copy of the weight study for those interested souls.