Posted on Aug 1, 2019
What regulations prevent or allow the use of rolling military style duffel bags or cases?
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Are you allowed to use a rolling duffel bag? What regulations dictate what rolling luggage, duffel, or case is acceptable for a deployment?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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CPT (Join to see), having served on various baggage details as a PVT and as an NCO unit movement teams, anything other than the standard duffle bag is a real PITA. It complicates stacking, loading and unloading and the commercial variants are sometimes not as resilient to abuse.
I have seen disgruntled details treat nonstandard bags with a little extra disdain, perhaps to test those limits. On a personal note, I have often thought of getting a rolling duffle when doing the double bag shuffle to the load point.
Bigger picture though, is personal convenience enough to justify allowing the use of non-standard bags during a unit movement? Even if it is no big deal for the loadmaster, non-standard bags present unique problems. Young Soldiers tend to waste money already, and a wave of non-standard bags can invite the financially disadvantaged to splurge on something cool. And where is the line drawn? If, as a Commander, you authorize a non-standard bag for shipment, do you specify which type and make or do you let the Soldiers decide for themselves what is a reasonable deviation from the norm?
I have seen Soldiers go so far as to pack everything in footlockers, extra large duffle bags, and even civilian luggage for unit movement. All of which can certainly be palletized, but present problems down the road.
Take for instance combat load plans for vehicles. Traditionally, Soldiers' personal gear is allocated space based on their clothing bag items, so if they choose a non-standard size and shape, it may throw off load plan calculations.
If this is a case of what you want to personally take and not a Command decision, I would test the limits of the UMOs patience for my own personal convenience. Nothing I would take on deployment is anything I would mind not bringing back if it doesn't fit in my patrol's load plan anyway.
I have seen disgruntled details treat nonstandard bags with a little extra disdain, perhaps to test those limits. On a personal note, I have often thought of getting a rolling duffle when doing the double bag shuffle to the load point.
Bigger picture though, is personal convenience enough to justify allowing the use of non-standard bags during a unit movement? Even if it is no big deal for the loadmaster, non-standard bags present unique problems. Young Soldiers tend to waste money already, and a wave of non-standard bags can invite the financially disadvantaged to splurge on something cool. And where is the line drawn? If, as a Commander, you authorize a non-standard bag for shipment, do you specify which type and make or do you let the Soldiers decide for themselves what is a reasonable deviation from the norm?
I have seen Soldiers go so far as to pack everything in footlockers, extra large duffle bags, and even civilian luggage for unit movement. All of which can certainly be palletized, but present problems down the road.
Take for instance combat load plans for vehicles. Traditionally, Soldiers' personal gear is allocated space based on their clothing bag items, so if they choose a non-standard size and shape, it may throw off load plan calculations.
If this is a case of what you want to personally take and not a Command decision, I would test the limits of the UMOs patience for my own personal convenience. Nothing I would take on deployment is anything I would mind not bringing back if it doesn't fit in my patrol's load plan anyway.
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SFC Michael D.
I can tell you are a great CSM by you mentioning the young soldier and their money. Very commendable CSM for keeping the lower enlisted in mind.
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CPT (Join to see)
Some great points to take into consideration. Talked with the UMO and examined the restrictions. Total length, width, height added of less then 60" and less 70lbs with flexible material/fabric outer in order to be paletized/moved. I tend to want soldiers to have options if they are interested. I certainly don't want to hurt soldier's finances. Leaving it up to my 1SG to determine best COA. Thanks for the detailed and comprehensive perspective.
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Sir, there are no real regulations that I know of. What I do know is what you will take on the plane/put under the plane will be determined by the airline. For example, flying out of the Killeen airport right outside FT Hood only allows 2 checked bags weighing no more than 50 pounds, and of certain dimensions.
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I have some soldiers asking this question and as far as I am concerned, if the colors/patterns are in regulation, the luggage is able to be palatized on a military transport, and it is not extremely abnormal, I don't have an issue with it. The Roller bags some of the soldiers use make me jealous, but I don't think they are wrong to use them, they are smart.
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MSG (Join to see)
Sir, in this case, the luggage allowed will be determined by the Load Master for that aircraft. As you said, as long as the luggage isn't abnormal in size and can be palletized, then there shouldn't be an issue.
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