Read the following materials and think through how you would apply their lessons if/when the 20 Questions get asked for real:
US Army Gear Problems In Afghanistan
Note that the goal here is not to properly equip .mil infantry for field operations.
It is instead to take these lessons learned and use them to prepare more effectively for life as an “armed hobo” on the run.
You do realize you will be on the run, right?
UPDATE 1020 EDT 19 SEPT 2012: Now go read Mosby for his take.
We packed to stay warm at night. Which was a mistake; you take only enough to survive until the sun comes up.
Yes.
Having said that, the “Combat Light” buttpack recommendations are not applicable to the arctic.
You will have enough of the right gear in the arctic, or you will die.
There is no “combat light” at -40°.
Just ask anyone who has gone on a mission toting an ahkio sled behind him and his squad.
Combat light won’t work here in the Rocky Mtn’s either. We have almost 7 months of winter. Even in summer a sleeping bag is needed, poncho liner just won’t cut it (well,August maybe).
Pulled an ahkio at Camp Drum NY, those won’t work here either, way too steep. Mtn’s here pose whole new problems for logistics, back to using the Gebirgs truppen manual.
I want to warn you about the individual Mike Sparks in your second link titled Combat Light. Mike Sparks is a habitual lair regarding his so called military experience. He has been outed by numerous Stolen Valor groups and online blogs. Just Google his name 1LT Mike Sparks
As a vet of OIF I can rip apart his article and can tell you that a lot of his so called info will get you killed.
Specifics re the tactical errors/omissions, pls.
Go to this link and read every word.http://mountainguerrilla.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/thoughts-on-the-combat-light-meme/, and I will state again, this individual Mike Sparks is an habitual/pathological liar who has embellished a fantasy military career who has been outed by various Stolen Valor groups, blogs and forums. Again, just Google 1LT Mike Sparks Stolen Valor and then after you gather up all the info on this ass clown, tell me that you want to learn from this idiot?
I purchased the 3 part amy sleep system, and even with the compression bag can’t get the darn thing to fit well anywhere on my ruck. Finally took out the green bag. It’s lighter and more compact. Still looking for little ways to lighten my gear. OTV in particular. It’s getting better, little by little.
We strapped the to the bottom of our rucks- you’re right though- all 3 layers are not usually needed except for the coldest of weather.
That letter from the Rakkasans 1SG was originally published in SOF magazine back in 2002. While the 1SG makes a lot of valid points, the CombatLight reform guys took a lot of it out of context. Thanks for giving me another article idea though, CA!
ND,
JM
When we sat around in Kuwait, most of the troops became PX rangers buying all kinds of pouches, cases, and misc. gear. About 3 weeks into it, on patrol we were down to the basics: combat load of ammo, grenades, camelbak, NVG’s, locator beacons, and a 72 hour bag with a couple of opened and sorted MRE’s, extra socks, and the inner shell of our sleep system. Of course this was in weather where going down to 85 degrees at night felt hypothermic. In my opinion the heavy IOTV body armor system was great for mounted patrols, but actually only succeeded in making you a much slower target during troop movement under battle conditions.
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Just use some logic here guys. Read the Combat light stuff and think of it as framework. Your area may require additional gear. Best way to check the validity of any information is to get in the field and do it.
Get off your ass and sleep outside. Even if you just hit the back yard with your kit you will know if its enough to live on. Just remember you are “LIVING” theres nothing in there about comfort.. Stop trying to pack a jacuzzi tub in your hooch.