Backpacks, Water Bottles, and Doctrine

> Thomas Barclay of the Clan Barclay wrote:

> I don't know about other nations, but Canada had an "emergency

I guess we operate from different assumptions. Our normal doctrine seems to be
based on the following:

a) You're on your own when it come to logistics, the nearest Resup point is
many days away. Don't rely on APCs, trucks or helos. Your Pack IS your
logistics train, keep it with you or in a secure place at all times, or you
will die. b) You're outnumbered severely. You're there to find the enemy and
possibly bushwhack him, not to fight him on even terms. A Claymore is a
wonderful aid to breaking contact with a superior force, every man in the
patrol should have at least one. c) Climate will be Hot, Hotter or Hottest.
Carry at least 3 liters of
water per day, and More is Better. Yes, that means 20+ kg of water each.
OTOH you don't need much in the way of warm clothing or high-calorie
rations just to stay alive unless you're MAAWC (Mountain and Antarctic Warfare
Cadre).

> Alan E and Carmel J Brain wrote:

> If ever there was a misnomer, it's the phrase "Light Infantry". You

Yes you gotta love all that light weight small hitech gizmos! Just means you
can carry more shit in your pack.

> At 1:32 PM +1000 10/15/99, Alan E and Carmel J Brain wrote:

More like what the Romans would have called "Heavy Infantry". Marius'
Mules carried 60-70kg if memory serves. The only light part of a
Light Division is in the noncombatant arms and in air transport requirements.
The guys at the sharp end have just as much stuff as everybody else in a
professional army.