What kind of items would typically be carried in a butt pack?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:05:34 -0400

I have been cleaning my issued equipment for the last few drills, and I cme across a butt pack of sorts that goes on the back strap of my LBV, and got to wondering, what kind of items would be typical carry in said pack?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 18 at 2019 10:33 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:33:31 -0400

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member do you operate mounted or dismounted? Butt pack sucks if you are in a vehicle.

I had in mine:
- poncho folded and tied down with straps so it doesn't come a mess. (I had 4xOD bungees on my ruck frame so I could put up emergency shelter, now you can't use the frame that's way, I'd put them in your buttpack)
- gallon zip lock with mole skin, small scissors, neosporene, Imodium, cold medicine, other OTC first aid items
- VGS-17 Signal panel, folded and tied in a square, to mark obstacles on a HLZ or Signal aircraft
- 8 x Red Chemlights to mark a medevac HLZ at night.
- emergency length of 550 cord
- ziplock bag with fire starting items
- space blanket new in package
- stripped down MRE
- demo knife (pre-leatherman days...I'd stash a multitool)
- spare pair of socks in sandwich ziplock

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 2:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 02:16:02 -0400

I've seen unit SOPs that had all kinds of crap in them, but I found them uncomfortable to wear if you have to sit in a vehicle. They're not bad for dismount patrols and for carrying a plussed up CLS kit.
I personally just kept all my air items in there. It's the perfect size for the H harness and lowering line.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 8:03 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:03:34 -0400

You can fit two SAW drums in there, to "balance out" the two carried on the front in SAW pouches.
That's what I got to use mine for back in the olden days.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2019 11:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:55:03 -0400

Wet weather gear, usually.
In the winter, a woobie.
VS-17 panel, tent stakes/ poles for the shelter half.
I'd usually wrap an MRE or two in there to keep the warm and thawed in cold weather.
Batteries.
Water purification tablets.

Basically, smaller items or things I needed to get at easily without having to drop my ruck.

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made Mar 19 at 2019 12:35 PM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 12:35:41 -0400

Dry fresh pair of socks, underwear, and t-shirt, these will keep you comfortable under the worse conditions. Also your shave kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. Then, your choice of pogey bait, I preferred beef jerky and energy bars. The overall aim is if you have to drop your ruck you can survive out of your butt-pack!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 20 at 2019 3:18 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:18:05 -0400

Hygiene kit, socks, skivvies, C rations / MREs, wash cloth and towel. (We turned our butt packs in, back in 1982 with our canvas H style LCE harnesses).

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 21 at 2019 9:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 21:30:46 -0400

Jesus wept- Damn son, we carried the butt pack before the rucks ever came out. Between it and your socks, you carried everything!