Personnel Combat Gear

1) Base clothing / uniform

• Combat uniform (shirt / jacket) - field/camouflage pattern, long-sleeve

• Combat trousers - reinforced knees, cargo pockets

• Undershirts / moisture-wicking base layer

• Underwear / boxers

• Socks - moisture-wicking, cushioned

• Cold-weather base layers (thermal top & bottom)

• Waterproof / breathable outer shell (rain jacket / gore-tex)

• Insulated jacket / parka for cold climates

• Patrol cap / boonie hat / field cap

• Balaclava / neck gaiter / shemagh

• Gloves - light duty (tactical) and heavy insulated gloves

• Protective knee pads / elbow pads (integrated or removable)

• Belt (webbing or uniform belt)

2) Footwear

• Combat boots - appropriate to climate (hot-weather, temperate, winter)

• Lightweight patrol/shoe or desert boot (optional)

• Gaiters (if required for terrain)

• Insoles & spare laces

3) Ballistic protection & hard gear

• Ballistic helmet (with mount for NVG/rail)

• Ballistic plates / plate carrier (front & back)

• Soft armor panels (for side/inner carrier)

• Modular Plate Carrier / Tactical Vest with MOLLE

• Ballistic eyewear / goggles (impact rated)

• Hearing protection (passive or electronic ear pro)

• Ballistic groin protector (if issued)

• Blast/chest protection for vehicle crews (if applicable)

4) Load carriage / webbing

• Assault pack / rucksack (daypack and larger ruck)

• Fighting load / assault vest (low-profile pouches for immediate ammo)

• Hydration system (CamelBak or water bladder) plus external canteen(s)

• Magazine pouches (for primary weapon mags)

• Pistol magazine pouch (if sidearm issued)

• Grenade pouches (if applicable)

• Utility/general-purpose pouches

• Dump pouch / admin pouch

• Medical / IFAK pouch (individual first aid kit)

• MAP/Navigation pouch or GPS pouch

• Radio pouch

• Hydration hose routing clips

5) Weapons & immediate combat items

• Primary weapon (assault rifle / carbine) - mission dependent

• Primary weapon magazines (loaded & spare)

• Weapon sling (single-point or two-point)

• Weapon cleaning kit / small maintenance kit

• Secondary weapon / sidearm (if issued)

• Sidearm magazines (spare)

• Bayonet / multi-tool attached to weapon or belt (if applicable)

• Grenades (frag, smoke, stun) - as authorized and mission dependent

6) Communications & electronics

• Tactical radio (handheld) with headset/boom mic

• Spare battery packs for radios

• Personal GPS device (military grade) or smartphone with mapping (secure)

• Compass (lensatic or baseplate)

• Headlamp / weapon-mounted light (with spare batteries)

• NVG (night-vision goggles) with mount (if issued)

• Batteries (AA/CR123A/other types) - mission quantity

• Power bank / USB battery (ruggedized)

• Tablet / reconnaissance device (if issued)

• Visual signaling devices (IR strobes, chem lights)

7) Medical & personal survival

• Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) / tourniquet, chest seal, hemostatic dressing, pressure dressings,nasopharyngeal airway

• Combat/trauma shears

• Personal medication & blister patches

• Water purification tablets / filter (small)

• Survival kit (firestarter, signal mirror, compact fishing kit, cord)

• Emergency blanket / bivvy bag

• Whistle and signaling mirror

8) Navigation & mission aids

• Paper maps (waterproofed) and map case

• Protractor / map scale and pens

• Notepad & waterproof pen/pencil

• Rangefinder (laser) or handheld device

• Marker / tape for marking positions

9) Tools & maintenance

• Multi-tool (Leatherman or similar)

• Small folding shovel / entrenching tool (if mission requires)

• Weapon cleaning kit & small tools

• Duct tape / adhesion tape and cable ties (small roll/bunch)

• Sewing kit / repair kit for clothing

10) Hygiene & comfort

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, small towel

• Wet wipes / hand sanitizer

• Biodegradable soap (small)

• Razor / shaving kit (if required)

• Socks rotation / foot care items (talc, blister pads)

11) Rations & hydration

• Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) or ration packs (mission quantity)

• Compact stove / cooker and fuel (if needed)

• Water bottles / canteens (extra)

12) Identification & documentation

• Military ID / dog tags

• ID card, orders, essential personal documents in waterproof sleeve

• Cash / local currency (small amount)

13) Specialist / environmental protection

• Gas mask / CBRN respirator with spare filters (if CBRN threat)

• Insulating liners / heated clothing for extreme cold (if required)

• Mosquito net / insect repellent

• Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen)

14) Miscellaneous / administrative

• Pen, marker, tape

• Small notebook or mission logbook

• Waste bag / zip-lock bags for kit organization and waterproofing

• Identification patches / morale patches / name tape, rank

• Repair kits for electronics (if required)

15) Packing guidance

• Fighting load = helmet, body armor, primary weapon + magazines, sidearm + spare mags, IFAK,radio, water, light, compass/GPS, basic tools, short-term rations

• Patrol/extended = fighting load + daypack with extra ammo, hydration bladder, additional rations, sleeping system, cold-weather clothing, extra batteries and spare parts

16) Special-operations / leader add-ons

• Additional comms (satphone, data link)

• Extra navigation aids (multiple GPS units)

• Extra tools (breaching kit, demolition tools)

• Extra optics (thermal imagers)

• Advanced medical kit (beyond IFAK)

Quick tips

• Organize pouches by priority: immediate (on vest), mission-essential (in daypack), and bulk/resupply (in main ruck)

• Standardize batteries and ammo quantities before deployment

• Ensure all mission-critical equipment has a spare or redundancy (radio, illumination, navigation)

• Keep IFAK accessible - not in the bottom of your rucksack