Marine Corps to reduce infantryman’s load by recruiting fewer wussies

Actually, I double packed a few times to shame Marines who claimed they could go on no more. But I used to force march (not hike) under a full TO&E load 15-20 miles on my own on the weekends for fun/conditioning.

Nothing like standing on the parade deck getting ready to step off and hearing someone say "Hey Benotz, why don't you save us all some time and hand your ALICE to the Lieutenant now." Proudest day of my career... one of my squad leader's came up to me part way through a hump and said "My Marine, my burden. I'll fight you for that pack" when he had a quitter. Then he shouldered the load, for another 8 miles til the end.