The standard fighting load for Marines in Iraq is anything but “standard.” Sure, there are the “must-have” items – weapon, first aid kit, helmet and flak jacket – but when it comes to the “nice-to-haves” combat gear it’s every Marine for himself.
“We’re leaving on a patrol in five minutes! Get your gear together!” said Staff Sgt. Christian B. Amason, a platoon sergeant for Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, assigned to the 1st Marine Division.
That used to be a cut and dry order, but with today’s gear, combat loads are tailor fitted. Even packs come with detachable pouches, adding and taking away space for gear. It’s a balancing act. Too much gear, it weighs the Marine down. Too little, and they suffer needlessly.
Take Amason, for example. He’s a former Army Special Forces soldier and Marine sniper. He’s got a good number of patrols under his belt. He knows what he needs and what he can live without when he takes to the field.
“I always take what I call my catch-all-gear,” explained Amason, a 32-year-old from Elora, Tenn. “Those are the basics like your weapon, ammunition, optics, navigational equipment and flak jacket and helmet. With a water supply, that makes for at least 30 pounds on your upper body. If you’re a (machine) gunner, then it could easily be 50 pounds you’re carrying.”
Amason knows what will keep him alive in the field, but there is one item with which he never parts.
“No matter where I go in the field, I always take my ‘woobie,'” he added. “That’s what my wife calls my poncho liner.”
According to Amason, the poncho liner is the best piece of gear he has, keeping him warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Other Marines have different necessities they insist on carrying.
“I’m the go-to-guy on a patrol, a regular walking ‘Saigon Sam’s,'” said Lance Cpl. Ryan P. Taylor, in reference to the military supply store just outside Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Dumfries, Va. rifleman is known to always have a steady supply of chemical lights, parachute cord, fly tape, shoe-goo used to repair boots and superglue, among other things in his pack.
“You never know when you’re going to need something, so I try to bring it with me,” he added.
The mainstay of infantrymen in the field is undoubtedly chow. If not carrying the Meals, Ready-to-Eat they are issued, many Marines have a good supply of junk food.
“I blame it on my wife,” he said “She really takes care of me with care packages, so everyone knows to come to me for junk food.”
Back also knows how to pack for a patrol. Carrying extra sergeant chevrons, zip ties, caffeine pills for late patrols, different sized-batteries, spare socks, a whistle, sunscreen and a flashlight, Back feels prepared for whatever may come.
“Marines learn from the experience of their squad leaders and then find out for themselves what works for them,” Back said. “It really comes down to what you’re willing to carry to be prepared for whatever you could get into.”