Packing list: Explain to DEP, IET, and younger members of the military why they fill pages.

I coined the term with my then BC - Medium Infantry - a light Infantry Bn with a Heavy as Hell TOC. The sh!t we used to pack, and this was in the early 90s BEFORE all the techno stuff came into play.

Personally I always over pack and essentially double the size of ANY list. I would constantly get my stones smashed for the extra boxes and bags at AT. Now that being said, whenever ANYONE needed something that they "forgot" to pack, guess who had it? I could have made a fortune with my own personal lend-lease program, but I'm not like that.

I always took a tool box with me - hammer, saw, screwdrivers, pliers, the usual. Now I also would bring an assortment of nails and screws, nuts & bolts. Murphy's Law and experience - you're always going to have to fix something. One AT not even the mechanics brought their full TKs We ended up having to build and repair some tent frames - and I'm the one who over packs!

Ditch the underwear, you don't need it. Use the extra space saved for Slim Jims.

Ah, the illustrious packing lists where you are to pack everything you own in case you need anything and everything. Because the creedo "Its better to have and not need than to need and not have" is very much alive and well

I hate packing lists. I know what I need, and what I don't. I end up packing what's on the list, plus what I will use, and end up with the largest ruck in the platoon.

When I was a private I went to Germany with as part of a rotation to Hoenfehls. We were told to pack for three days, but given no further packing list. We have a formation before leaving to the field for PCCs and PCIs, our platoon sergeant had this little bundle in his hand. He drops it at his feet and says, "look here f***ers, this is how you pack for three days." I don't know what he had or didn't have in that bundle, but I was impressed. And I've never managed to pack that small, even for a day trip to the range!

SSG (Join to see) Two comments, and remember I a MP, so I don't have to carry it on my back.

1. In an austere environment, initial entry operations, "It is better to have and not need, than need an not have." You can always ditch it, but you can't go to CIF, RFI, or the PX.

2. Load Plans matter, even though most Soldiers hate them... until it is 3 AM, and you are in a fire fight, and you need to find things fast (like 5.56 and CSL kits), in the dark and under stress.


.... But, At OCS and Ranger School we carried much more crap than necessary. At OCS I believe is was all part of the hazing. At Ranger School, I believe they honestly thought we needed everything we carried.

At 10th Mountain Division (LI), they used to joke they were "too light to fight and too heavy too run...."

For packing in the field:

PVT - Sergeant, do I need to pack military issue underwear or can I pack what my momma sent me?

Me - Guy, pack what your mother sent you.

Good Topic! Packing is a learning process that depend on where you are at and what you are doing. In Vietnam, you only packed three comfort items, a poncho & poncho liner and socks. Must have smalls, foot powder, Bug juice, water purification tablet & cleaning kit. Ruck full of machinegun ammo, Four, 81mm mortars, four claymores, 8 hand grenades and as many ammo pouches and canteens tha fit on pistol belt. Rations, what ever you can fit. Water and food decreased the weighted runk daily. Hot chow in the bush, almost never.

Stateside regular army, gear according to unit SOP and hot sauce, beef jerky, slim jims & honey. Cigerettes and I did not smoke for bartering. My 1SG foishing partner told me this before going to Germany, "You would never have to blow up your air mattress for a smoke."

SOF, Every gun you are issued, ass load of radio batteries, a ton of ammunition and books, many books because sometimes weeks in isolation and long air time!

My packing list for Honduras was cold weather gear??? I don't think I need my parka...

Tip: When going on deployment always pack an extra duffle bag. You will inevitably get issued more gear and clothing while there, and will need to bring it back.

Hahaha