Decades ago, I set myself up with tactical web gear that was dedicated to M1As. The only significant change in recent years was that I "migrated" to L1A1s. (Which is a long story in itself.)
I have three basic load increments set aside *for each family member* in my "Get Out of Dodge" (G.O.O.D.) packs and duffles, just in case our retreat is over-run. (The dreaded worst case scenario).
These three incremental loads equate to the old U.S. army doctrine of "fighting load", "sustainment load", and "subsistence load." I've built four complete sets, for the members of my immediate family. (BTW, I'll probably be piecing together a fifth set, once my #3 Son turns 12 years old.)
Here is how they add up, incrementally:
The fighting load has just the basic set of web gear. Total weight with rifle, loaded magazines, and full canteens is 21 to 36 pounds, depending on the individual for whom the web gear was tailored. For ease of storage and "grab it and go" convenience, each set of web gear is packed in an oversize earth-tone nylon sleeping bag stuff sack.
The sustaining load adds a CFP-90 or ALICE pack, which includes tentage.
The subsistence load adds TWO extra NRS Whitewater rafting "Portage Pack" dry bags, per person. These hold extra rations, cooking gear, extra batteries, extra bandoleers, and so forth. BTW, one of these two duffles is a designated "cold weather" duffle. Total weight, including an L1A1 and ammo ranges between 145 to 210 pounds! Needless to say, the entire sustainment load is not designed to be carried all at once, but since it is stored in waterproof portage packs (with comfortable shoulder straps and proper padded belly bands) it is at least easily transportable. This would require three "ferrying" trips to a bivouac site.
- - - -
As some useful background, the following is posted at the Army Natick Labs web site:
Standards developed for the Army field manual titled “Foot Marches” printed in 1990 list maximum weights troops should carry for a fighting load, approach march load and emergency march load, figures determined with help from research at the Natick Soldier Center and U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.
A fighting load is everything worn or carried except a rucksack and should be held to less than 48 pounds, according to the field manual. The next level, approach march load, adds a light rucksack and should not exceed 72 pounds. In the worst-case scenario, emergency approach march loads require a larger rucksack, raising the total weight to 120-150 pounds.
Past research has provided more insight into combat loads. A British study from the 1920s concluded that the fighting load should not exceed 40-45 pounds, and S.L.A. Marshall, author of the 1950 book “The Soldier Load and the Mobility of a Nation,” advised that the combat load should remain less than about 40 pounds.
Viewed another way, the load should not exceed 30 percent of a person’s body weight when carrying an approach march load. Dean’s team weighed and photographed troops at every level, from wearing only their basic uniforms and boots to what they carried for their emergency approach march loads for 29 different positions in rifle companies.
