The Modern Warrior’s Combat Load

[a_majoor]

The sleeping bag we used in the sixties had a flannel liner and two "bags," an inner one and an arctic outer one. The combined bag would keep a soldier warmish for four or five hours in -50 f temperatues, and I am speaking from experience here. The bag also did not have any zippers for closure. Instead it used flaps and overlap. This apparently was because zippers could freeze in the cold. (There is the story we all heard about American troops in Korea discovered killed in their bags with frozen zippers, or at least that is what we were told.)

The only difference between your bag and the ones issued today are the zippers. There is a bit of overlap to cover the zipper portion, but otherwise pretty much identical.

 

[Jarnhamar]

For cold winters I've switched out the CF issue sleeping bag system with a snugpak antarctica re sleeping bag. It's great but way too hot for anything save a cold winter.

For the other seasons I'll use the snugpak Merlin 3, CF issue bivy bag and the CF issued cadpat poncholiner/ranger blanket with one of those emergency space blankets guntaped to the inside.

I'm looking at picking up the snugpak tactical series 3 sleeping bag to add to my combo set up for late fall/early winter.

 

[Rifleman62]

Old Sweat:

The sleeping bag we used in the sixties had a flannel liner and two "bags," an inner one and an arctic outer one

Then there was the Molitia sleeping bag consisting of two overlapping grey wool blankets, bottom tuck, and the old 1950 era poncho. Rolled over the small pack Civil War style. Weight: heavy dry, extremely heavy damp.

Can't remember if there was zippers or not on the sleeping bag in Germany 1968. We did take only the nylon outer cover (no zips) on some dismounted ops. Better than nothing. Trying to sleep on cobble stones beside a bridge with sleet coming down is one memory.

 

[Old Sweat]

Old Sweat:
Then there was the Molitia sleeping bag consisting of two overlapping grey wool blankets, bottom tuck, and the old 1950 era poncho. Rolled over the small pack Civil War style. Weight: heavy dry, extremely heavy damp.

I've used that sucker too as a regular force gunner with my boots, ankle, black for a pillow.

 

[OldSolduer]

In Wainwright in 1979 we were out in a summer storm....the kind where the rain went sideways.....with a groundsheet per man. I slept under it for a few hours and even had a few smokes. Great fun.

 

[Trail Rider]

I saw a drawing somewhere of a medieval soldier on the road to his next battle.  They had wheelbarrows and hand carts to haul their gear.

With respect to combat load of today's soldiers, for years I've though that pack mules should be a standard issue.  But then, the procurement would be heck:  regional development and IRBs for a Newfoundland pony or another historic breed; complaints that a height, weight and load  requirements unfairly left someone out; cross-breeding to "Canadianize" correctly; able to respond to bilingual commands (haw-gee); pollution emission level certifications...

Or as one poster noted, unless you are in contact, just treat it all as admin move and leave it in a supporting vehicle.

 

[Kalatzi]

For most of their history a Roman "Squad"" had a pack mule.

Also depending on where they where in pre-Marian/post-Marian forms about three auxiliaries as "Helpers"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNZPRsrwumQ

Big Dog Robot

Sounds like my mother in law

 

[Kalatzi]

Even better -Big Dog Can be weaponized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptyV1cpE14o&feature=relmfu

 

[Timmy!]

I figure this is a pretty interesting piece of kit. I would love to take that for a spin, then set up an ambush. Plus carry all your gear. Kind of reminds me of an ATV.

Mule

Regards,
TN