INFANTRY SQUAD EQUIPMENT LISTING Copyright (c) 1996 by David A. Terhune The following is a list of equipment a U.S. light infantry squad would carry with them into the field. It's separated into combat load and mission load. The combat load is what they always carry, the mission load they only carry on the march (otherwise it stays in their base camp). The entire mission load is supposed to fit into the rucksack. Mechanized infantry squads carry the same gear, but the mission load stays in the APC. Combat Load: 3 lbs. Helmet 5 lbs. Flak Vest 5 lbs. Uniform and LCE (web harness) (weight includes boots) varies Personal Weapon and Ammo (see below) 1 lb. Bayonet 4 lbs. 4 Fragmentation grenades 1.5 lbs. Smoke grenade (color varies) 3 lbs. Protective Mask (weight includes 3 atropine injectors) 4 lbs. 2 1-quart canteens (weight includes water) neg. First Aid Bandage Mission Load: 10 lbs. Rucksack w/Frame (weight includes poncho and poncho liner) 5 lbs. LAW 5 lbs. Claymore Mine 4 lbs. 20 MRE's (stripped down to individual packets) 10 lbs. Spare uniforms and boots 2 lbs. Entrenching Tool (folding shovel) 8 lbs. 2 2-quart canteens (weight includes water) 8 lbs. MOPP gear (chemical protective suit) 7/12 lbs. Sleeping bag (lighter bag only issued to units in tropical climes) Personal Weapons and Ammo: Squad Leader 15.8 lbs. M16 and 6 30-round magazines 5.25 lbs. 200-round belt for SAW (units with SAWs only) in rucksack 12 lbs. 200-round belt for M60 (units with M60s only) in rucksack Team Leader 12 lbs. M16 with M203 7.8 lbs. 6 30-round magazines for M16 18 lbs. 12 M203 grenades (types vary according to mission) Rifleman 15.8 lbs. M16 and 6 30-round magazines 15.75 lbs. 3 200-round belts for SAW (units with SAWs only) 2 in rucksack 24 lbs. 2 200-round belts for M60 (units with M60s only) 1 in rucksack SAW Gunner or M60 Gunner 21.25 lbs. SAW and 200-round belt (units with SAWs only) 35 lbs. M60 and 200-round belt (units with M60s only) 15.75 lbs. 3 200-round belts for SAW (units with SAWs only) in rucksack 24 lbs. 2 200-round belts for M60 (units with M60s only) in rucksack Assistant Gunner (units with M60s only) 15.8 lbs. M16 and 6 30-round magazines 48 lbs. 4 200-round belts for M60 (2 in rucksack) Other Person-specific equipment: Squad Leader 10 lbs. PRC-77 (radio) 2 lbs. Extra battery for PRC-77 in rucksack 3 lbs. Binoculars neg. Map and Compass Team Leader neg. Map and Compass Total Weights (weights after / are for units with M60s) Combat Mission Total Squad Leader 55.3 51.25/58 106.55/113.3 Team Leader 64.3 44 108.3 Rifleman 47.55/54.3 54.5/56 102.05/110.3 Machine Gunner 47.75/61.5 59.75/68 107.5/129.5 Assistant Gunner 0/66.3 0/68 0/134.3 Notes: Some missions require additional equipment. Special Ops teams often replace the sleeping bags with demolition gear, rafts, and other such stuff. Night vision gear (for those units which issue it) is distributed as follows: Squad Leader and Team Leaders 2 lbs. PVS-7 (night vision goggles) Riflemen 1 lb. PVS-4 (night vision scope for M16) Any questions, comments, or additions should be sent to me. David Terhune Last Update: May 10, 1996