The Load
List Compiled by Glyn Haynie
List Compiled by Glyn Haynie
Cliff Sivadge
Below is a list showing what the average rifleman carried daily. Keep in mind that every infantryman's load was personal—no two soldiers carried identical gear.
Weapons
There were four different weapons assigned to a squad: M16 Rifle, M60 Machine Gun (23 lbs), M79 Grenade Launcher (5.95 lbs), and .45 Pistol (3 lbs loaded). The Gunner and Grenadier were assigned a pistol. Most soldiers in the first platoon carried an M16 rifle.
Items Carried with Weight (on average a soldier carried up to 70 pounds)
Rucksack (3 lbs)
Pistol Belt with Ammo Pouch and two first aid bandages (1.2 lbs)
Poncho (1.5 lbs)
Poncho Liner (1.5 lbs)
Steel pot (helmet with liner) (3.16 lbs)
M-16 Rifle (6.35 lbs)
14 Loaded Magazines of 5.56 Ammunition, worn tied around the body in the cloth bandoleers (9.6 lbs)
10 Boxes (to reload in 10 empty magazines) 5.56 Ammunition in Rucksack (7 lbs)
2 Hand Grenades (2 lbs)
1 Concussion Grenade (1 lb)
1 Smoke Grenade (1.2 lbs)
1 Claymore Mine (4 lbs)
100 rounds of M-60 Ammunition (6 lbs)
1 M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) (5.5 lbs)
2 Trip Flares (2.8 lbs)
1 lb. of C-4 — Matches and Lighter (1 lb)
6 Quarts water (two 2-quart canteens and two 1-quart canteens) (14.1 lbs)
9 cans of beef with spice sauce/chicken noodle — P-38 can opener and Plastic Spoon
9 cans of fruit
9 cans of cake
6 cans of peanut butter, jelly, and crackers
6 packets of cocoa
(9 meals 24.3 lbs)
2 LRRP, pronounced “LURP,” Meals when we could get them (1.2 lbs)
2 cans of soda/beer — Can/Bottle Opener (1.6 lbs)
Water Purification tablets
Malaria pills
Insect Repellent
1 Extra Pair of Socks
Toothbrush, soap, toilet paper
Any personal items a soldier wanted to carry
Note: The weight a soldier carried decreased as he expended ammunition, drank water, and ate meals.
Weapons
There were four different weapons assigned to a squad: M16 Rifle, M60 Machine Gun (23 lbs), M79 Grenade Launcher (5.95 lbs), and .45 Pistol (3 lbs loaded). The Gunner and Grenadier were assigned a pistol. Most soldiers in the first platoon carried an M16 rifle.
Items Carried with Weight (on average a soldier carried up to 70 pounds)
Rucksack (3 lbs)
Pistol Belt with Ammo Pouch and two first aid bandages (1.2 lbs)
Poncho (1.5 lbs)
Poncho Liner (1.5 lbs)
Steel pot (helmet with liner) (3.16 lbs)
M-16 Rifle (6.35 lbs)
14 Loaded Magazines of 5.56 Ammunition, worn tied around the body in the cloth bandoleers (9.6 lbs)
10 Boxes (to reload in 10 empty magazines) 5.56 Ammunition in Rucksack (7 lbs)
2 Hand Grenades (2 lbs)
1 Concussion Grenade (1 lb)
1 Smoke Grenade (1.2 lbs)
1 Claymore Mine (4 lbs)
100 rounds of M-60 Ammunition (6 lbs)
1 M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) (5.5 lbs)
2 Trip Flares (2.8 lbs)
1 lb. of C-4 — Matches and Lighter (1 lb)
6 Quarts water (two 2-quart canteens and two 1-quart canteens) (14.1 lbs)
9 cans of beef with spice sauce/chicken noodle — P-38 can opener and Plastic Spoon
9 cans of fruit
9 cans of cake
6 cans of peanut butter, jelly, and crackers
6 packets of cocoa
(9 meals 24.3 lbs)
2 LRRP, pronounced “LURP,” Meals when we could get them (1.2 lbs)
2 cans of soda/beer — Can/Bottle Opener (1.6 lbs)
Water Purification tablets
Malaria pills
Insect Repellent
1 Extra Pair of Socks
Toothbrush, soap, toilet paper
Any personal items a soldier wanted to carry
Note: The weight a soldier carried decreased as he expended ammunition, drank water, and ate meals.
Images of Most Items
M-16 Rifle
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M60 Machine Gun
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M79 Grenade Launcher
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Colt 45 Pistol
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Frag Grenade
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Smoke Grenade
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Concussion Grenade
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Caymore Mine
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M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW)
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C4 Explosive
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Bandolier of M16 Ammunition
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M60 Machine Gun 100 Rounds 7.62
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M16 Magazine 5.56
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C-Rations Normally 9 meals
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LRP Meal
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1 Quart Canteen
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2 Quart Canteen
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Poncho
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Poncho Liner
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Helmet with Liner
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Pistol belt, Ammo Pouch and First Aid Pouch
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Rucksack
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M79 HE round .5 pounds Grenadier carried 25 rounds
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