I am not, and never have been a squaddie, or an athlete or a shining example of physical prowess. I am lazy by nature, and my wife is a superlative cook and bears complete responsibility for turning me into a big fat slob.
But…Hell’s bells - lookit that kid. If he spends his career in the military, by the time he’s 50 he’s gonna be lucky if he can move enough to get outta bed in the morn! What is all that plunder he’s carrying?
100 years ago I saw a documentary about NFL players that followed them after they left the game. I’ll tell ya - it’s a good thing they signed those fat contracts because when they retire, their joints are destroyed and most of them need expensive surgeries, personal therapists and trainers just to stay semi-mobile.
I don’t care what anyone says - that squaddie is overloaded and if he blows an ankle or a knee out on patrol - he becomes a liability.
I think those guys really, really need to rethink their operational capabilities…
Often captioned:
ReplyDelete100 pounds of light weight gear.
(just quoting, probably more than 100)
My grand nephew was medically discharged fro the Marines after four years, not because he didn't try, but because his body broke down under the strain.
ReplyDeleteFormer wanna be squaddie here. I wanted to join the Marines in '69, but my 2 older brothers "talked" me out of it. Technically, they told me if I joined the Marines, they'd "kick my fucking ass!". I believed them and joined Air Force. The AF had a 2 year wait, because no one wanted to be a ground pounder. So, you had to be well above average to get in "right now". Fresh out of high school I was. I've since misplaced too many IQ points. Sorry about that little bout of diarrhea.
ReplyDeleteToday's squaddies are over loaded because the evil fuckers that ran the Defence Dept, embraced mission creep until our combat troops are over loaded like a rented mule, getting too many KIA and wounded.
One of my bros had been drafted into the Army for Korea. The other was drafted into the Marines. Both saw combat. They knew about Vietnam, I didn't, I was a dumbass. Glad they talked me out of it. I probably would have been converted to worm food, with or without too much ruck.
I used to schlepp up to 80 kg, and the sound effects getting out of bed are epic. Sometimes I look around for bits that may have fallen off. However, the most annoying legacy injury is my back, from playing rugby. I'm 52.
ReplyDeleteAs to what that guy is carrying....I'd guess a few days rations and water, a basic load of ammo, a grenade or four, a claymore mine, a mortar bomb, an antitank rocket, spare batteries, a belt or two of link, a sleeping bag, groundsheet, shelter half, entrenching tool, NBC kit, shaving kit, towel, bayonet, knife, mess kit, and some other crap. It all adds up. At that weight, he lays down on his pack, straps it on, rolls over and stands up.
I seem to remember reading about the limit of weight carried by infantry to remain fast and mobile. 45 - 55 lbs.? Weights exceeding that slowed them down which caused them to become injured quicker.
ReplyDelete-Randale6-
ReplyDeleteJust wait until you learn what the average Roman Legionary was packing. Also remember that the average Roman Legionary was nowhere near as well fed as modern man.
yeah. like back in the day, we used to strip down our C-rats to just what we needed or wanted. was a 60 gunner. carried about 4-6 belts as a rule. plus a few grenades, maybe a claymore. some det-cord. some spare socks. TP and poncho with liner.
ReplyDeleteand 4 canteens. then there the 60 and 45. damn helmet weight
was what 10-12 pounds easy. back and knee pain is standard
these days. 1/503 PIR a long time ago.
It's not just the packs it's also the rifle and helmet that have gotten heavier.
ReplyDeleteThe helmet, maybe. And who knows? I can’t see even the M4 being all that light when you bolt on weapon lights, electronic and laser sights…
DeleteAn M4 ends up weighing as much or more than an M1 Garand, with optic, light, IR laser designator, sling, full mag. That's with a 14.5 inch barrel. Add a suppressor and that's another pound or two. So, 9 to 12 pounds.
DeleteMet a young man long ago, trashed his knees humping that. They kicked him out, I told him he’s still alive make of life what you can.
ReplyDelete