Typical Loadout of a US Marine

In a book called “Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation,” Colonel S.L.A. Marshall pointed at a troubling issue plaguing US combat troops: overloading of equipment, hampering battlefield performance. While the ideal US infantryman's combat load is not meant to exceed a third of their own bodyweight, the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq saw American infantry regularly carrying loads that exceeded 120 lbs (54kg). But what is all this extra equipment that the modern soldier is being asked to carry into combat?

That's what we’ll find out, in this episode of the Infographics Show, the typical loadout of a US Marine.

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[TheInfographicsShow]

Is all equipment in the load necessary? What could be left out in your opinion (US Marines - welcome to share your experience)?

[Silveradocowby]

Carried a 80 lb rucks for 6 years in the corps.. VA = your knee, back and shoulder issues are not service related. Carry on

[jeffreyflees]

Body: Your inventory is full! Drop some st-

Drill Sergeant: *C A R R Y I T*

[senseigrim]

So basically, if someone carries me, they are basically carrying a typical us marine gear

[veterandecanus]

Love how the taliban guy said to the other taliban guy “you’re the bomb” I literally died😂😂

[jbolo]

Don't forget the 1TB external hard drive filled with morally questionable porn.

[HistoryHouseProductions]

But do the marines get help building a sleek and affordable website from Wix?

[lucyfur]

not true...i had a jet pack with a exo suit so get your facts straight sir

[alexandrosgrivas]

funny how we look back at medieval soldiers like knights, men at arms, heavy infantry and think how heavy their gear was while in reality full plate armor was 25-30kg while today we carry up to 50 kilos

[TheDrov]

This is funny. I have been a Marine for 14 years and just got home from the Chiropractor. I am 5’4” 140 lbs and have carried the same exact load-out as every other Marine throughout my career. Needless to say my body is fucked. That would have been amazing to carry according to body weight but then you deal with inequality issues.

[Juiceman-fzpm]

I’m a US Marine, 5’4 and 135lbs. Thanks to my beloved Corps, they thought it was funny to make me an 0331(Machinegunner). I was attached to Weapons Company, so I didn’t have to carry a medium machine gun, but the freaking .50 Browning Heavy MG which is disassembled to 3 consisting of the barrel, tripod and body of the MG(sometimes including dummy ammo cases. We only do it during training though, because it’s supposed to be mounted on a vehicle or in static position. A machine gun team consists of 3 and we rotate on who carries the body of the browning, every time it was my turn I have to tie my M4 rifle to my rucksack to carry that big chunk of steal. The farthest we did it during training was 12 miles with that Browning. I couldn’t walk for 2 days after that 12 mile training. During deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan we never had to carry that thing, it was just mounted on our Humvees. Thank you God, I only had to carry the medium machine gun which was the M240 around 17 lbs. which was like toy gun in weight compared to the Browning’s 50lbs receiver not including extra barrel that weighs 17lbs, ammo that also weighs 50lbs for 100 rounds and tripod that weighs 25 lbs. To my surprise my knees and back are still in great condition.

[angrywhale]

The real loadout is:

M16A4 Iron Sights, Stubby Grip, UGL Rail
M1911

M320 HE
Defibrillator

M67 Frag
C100


Don’t forget the Combat Medic Specialisation

[TheBetterManInBlack]

Every time they gave us lighter equipment, they used the saved weight as an excuse to add more gear.

[adlanb]

When you go camping with your friends and your mom fills your pack with trail mix, milk, a scarf, gloves, and clean underwear.

[brandenray]

Hold up, was he implying that our MARPATS are breathable? 😂💀

[clxwncrxwn]

You’re the bomb man. No no YOU are the bomb. 😂🤣

[joembithi]

Yet I still feel my laptop and books heavy....
Thanks for the service 👌

[johntheunstoppable]

So.... They don't use frying pans?🍳 That's sad

[acesands]

Hold up... did you just say, and I quote, “a marine is not a marine without his weapon.”?? I’m sorry but you are wrongly mistaken my friend.

[TomasDeCat]

1)USMC hasn't used the PAQ-4C in years. They used PEQ-2 in Iraq then went to PEQ-15/16.

2)Today's Armor is the IMTV for mounted patrols and the ISPC for dismounted. Interceptor stopped being used after Iraq

3)USMC uses the LWH while it's on its way to be replaced by ECH. ACH is way less common in the line units.

For the most part in Afghanistan the Marines were taking the bare minimum on patrol but the additional weight came to play during the offensives in Helmand