A Wolverine forwards this checklist for the winter kit of a unit that operates in the great north woods. I present it here for discussion purposes.
Individual Trooper
Rations
MRE's (6)
Comfort Food Packs (3)
Vitamins (Extra Vitamin C) 4 days
Tea/Hot Cider Bags (12)
Water (2 Quarts - Minimum)
Combat Load
Harness
Web belt
Ammo Pouch - 2
Combat Knife
Bandoleers - Loaded
Flashlight
Compass & Protractor
Winter Camouflage & Loam Face Paint
Wind Proof Lighter (check fuel)
Fire Starter
Ear Plugs
Individual First Aid Kit
Knee Pads
Tomahawk
Existence Load
Ruck Sack
E-tool
Mechanical Pencil / Space Pen
Toilet Paper (1 roll)
BDU's (1 in ruck)
Sweater
Heavy Socks (2 in ruck/1 on)
Lng Underwear - ( 2 in ruck/1 on)
Underwear (2 in ruck/1 on)
T-Shirts (2 in ruck/1 on)
Towel
Wash cloth
Fingerless gloves
Watch Cap
Field Jacket w/liner
Sleeping Bag (AO Dep ECW rating)
Thermarest/Sleeping pad
Personal Hygeine Kit w/sanitary wipes
Dust/Wind Goggles (Fog Proofed)
Parka/Heavy Gloves/Insulated Hat
Snow Shoes
Snow Poles
Gaiters & Ice Crampons (Optional)
Range Finder (Optional)
Arctic Canteen (2)
Weapons & Ammo
Rifle
10 Magazines
400 rounds
Combat Knife
Sidearm (Optional)
3 Magazines
50 rounds
Cleaning Kit
Cleaning Rod
Solvent
Spare Rifle Parts
Cleaning Patches
Shelter
Heavy Poncho w/poles & stakes
Survival Saw
Single Burner Stove w/fuel (Optional)
Ground Poncho
Large Medical Kit (Team)
Cleaning Patches (all calibers)
13 comments:
Ear plugs, can never have too many, especially if your dpms 308 has a custom break on it. Wow is that loud. I have a buch of those cheapo jobs from wally world but does anyone know where a person can get decent quality ear plugs that are not bright green?
Weaver
Cold WX ops are a bitch, especially on foot!
You've got a compass and protractor. I'd add a map of your general area or your expected bug-out AO. I'd also advocate a little etrex GPS. Everyone says that the civilian GPS sats are going down. They won't. The average grunt needs it as much as you do. Most of them can't use the GPS on a plugger because 1)they're not smart enough, 2)there aren't enough of them to go around, or 3) they're too bulky and not worth it.
I'd also add some comm gear. Using proper brevity codes a simple squad radio is reasonably safe.
Great lists.
Given the quantity and weight, how on earth does a guy carry all that? Presumably there is some sort of support transportation that would handle the heavy stuff/extras, or you're not going anywhere very fast nor are you going very far...
I recently took a winter trip to the Northern Plains/Rockies and took with me much of what are on those lists. Heck, including tools for vehicle repairs, the gear filled up the back seat of the full size pickup and half of the bed to the top of the bed...
My 'suitcase' was a backpack filled with extra wool socks, 1 set clothes, long johns and one+ days E-rations, handgun ammo/mags, maglight and sanitary kit. That was heavy enough just toting to and from sleeping quarters. Add a winter sleeping bag, pad, .30 cal MBR with a few hundred rounds and the load becomes quite a burden especially if it's to be carried without transport...
Bobcat
Sorry bud , but Winter kit my ass . I lived most of my life here , and ill die here . I wont be running off to join the " resistance " , nor will i surrender my guns and rights . I am a " prag " as you call them , and some in the " prag " camp call me a " fudd" because i hunt . I got news for both yall , No one is taking my guns of any flavor , and i dont count on any of you to back me up . If the world goes pear shaped ill stand alone , and honestly i prefer it that way , i lived that way after all . I am not an articulate man so i tend to piss everyone off ... with that being said i agree with neither camp of the 3% issue . Some folk call for a 3 party election , well kiss my butt i want to see a two party election first lol . Now i am an old farmer/cowboy , but i have enough rifles and ammo stored up ( and like the it guys suggest , backup off site ) to get me buy , or make me " rock and roll " . I am not buying anything thro a store today , but yesterday i picked up 3 cheap rifles and now i gotta find some ammo on private sales .
Do and figue what you will , for me ill run cattle as long as i can .
Anonymous said: "Given the quantity and weight, how on earth does a guy carry all that?"
Well for whomever sent this in from our 'stomping grounds' up in the North country, we might add this:
First, foremost, and most unequivocably importantly (redundancy intended!), by being in good shape!! Winter will demonstrate very easily how much work you need to do in that regard!
Secondly, you can move far or fast on foot, but not both, especially in deep snow (12 inches or more). Take into account a sled, snowshoes, and snow shoe poles, and pulling your existence gear behind you. Get to a place where you can execute a base camp set up, and then, "we're in business!".
If it's good enough for mountain, airborne, and other 'light infantry' type units for winter ops, it's good enough for us.
At least, we believe it to be! Every man in his own AO should adapt these kinds of suggestions to what fits his group.....
Our take.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I'll have to agree somewhat with FarmDad. I don't plan on any cold WX walking ops unless given ZERO choice. Just spent some work time in -10's & -20's and besides low productivity due to gear, it was flat exhausting, no matter what your condition. (I'm in good shape.) Seems to me cold WX ops carries mega risks and lowers overall chance for survival, much less op success.
Naw, I'll be holing up at my 'ranch', (as many in my AO plan on) and doing my current work thing as long as I'm able. No, I won't be voluntarily giving up any firearms.
There comes a time when a stand has to be made... Some of us will fall, some of us will survive. If we don't take a stand, what's left of the Republic will surely vanish.
Bobcat
As they teach us in the Corps, the first mission of USMC leadership is mission accomplishment. The secondary mission of USMC leadership is troop welfare.
You might feel better holed up at your house; hell, I know I would. But I'd give all of what I've saved up at my house in a second to take off with just an e-tool if that's what would increase my chance of mission accomplishment.
You might feel better about drawing a hard line but you do the mission a disservice.
For me, that's the restoration of the republic by any means necessary.
Re: earlugs, I'd recommend looking for some of those non-linears.
In regards to the GPS device being added to the list - I would only ask this: How many more battery spares do you want to carry? - or -What guarantee do you have to keep the thing charged? GPS units can/will fail, and unless you don't know how to use a compass, you can be SOL. To my knowledge magnetic interference could be the only problem encountered with a compass in the field - seasoned hunter up in my neck of the woods found that out personally. Thats my take on it. ~ Fawkes
Fawkes:
Just as I'd never advocate glass on a rifle until you can hit a man at 500 yards with irons, so too should a person stay away from a GPS until he can use a map and compass.
That said, maps get wet and rip and protractors always break. I carry both.
Still the question: How to carry all this stuff?
Bobcat
I suggest adding a small notebook. I prefer the Rite in the Rain 5X8 with universal page pattern
Actually, you can carry a lot of the mentioned supplies in this list, you have to be innovative.
Hint: bandoliers and belt pouches. There are many more uses for these things than just ammo and mags. You can keep small, loose essentials such as pocket knives, compasses, etc... in pouches that can be carried on bandoliers.
There is a trick that both the Confederate Soldier and the Chinese Soldier of World War II used. That is by using your bedding as one large backpack. That is, whatever you are using, sleeping bag, poncho, blanket, etc... you can roll up larger essentials such as your MREs and MRE heaters, first aid kits, into your bed-gear and wear the rolled up bed-gear across your back. Keep your rifle, ammo and sidearms handy, of course, always in an available and easy-to-reach place.
The above applies if you are on a long-distance march. What if there is a skirmish in a nearby area, or you don't have to travel a long ways. It will be best if you travel light. Only carry your weapons/essentials, and keep the rest of the stuff in a cache location, like the one you see in the chapter "Predator" of "Absolved".
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