Packing List Manifesto Part II - The Authorized
AUTHORIZED TA-50 ITEMS, CANDIDATES WILL HAVE ALL ITEMS WHETHER ISSEUED AT FORT BRAGG CIF OR NOT
JACKET, COLD WEATHER (FLEECE)
WET WEATHER TOP AND BOTTOM, COLD WEATHER WATER PROOF (NON-GORTEX)
WET WEATHER TOP AND BOTTOM, COLD WEATHER WATER PROOF (GORTEX)
TROUSERS, COLD WEATHER (NON-GORTEX)
GLOVES, LEATHER (WHITE, TAN, OR BLACK ONLY)
CARRIER, FIGHTING LOAD (FLC) OR TAPS SYSTEMS
POUCH, CANTEEN 1 QT
PACK, FRAME MOLLE (COMPONENT OF MOLLE RUCK)
BELT, MOLDED WAIST (COMPONENT OF MOLLE RUCK)
SHOULDER STRAPS (COMPONENT OF MOLLE RUCK)
PACK, PATROL LARGE (COMPONENT OF MOLLE RUCK)
LOAD LIFTER ATTACHMENT STRAPS (COMPONENT OF MOLLE RUCK)
BAG, CLOTHING WATERPROOF, (GREEN ARMY ISSUED WITH BLACK INSIDE)
LINER, WET WEATHER PONCHO
MAT, SLEEPING
PONCHO, WET WEATHER
CANTEENS, 2 QT
CANTEENS, 1 QT
COVER, 2 QT CANTEEN
CANTEEN CUP
ENTRENCHING TOOL AND COVER
STUFF SACK, SMALL
SLEEPING BAG (SUMMER, WINTER, BIVY COVER, ALL ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL CLASSES)
STUFF SACK, LARGE
The philosophy with the TA-50 items is to either travel light to Camp Mackall and accept the Fort Bragg issued items or bring our own. Because the stuff that you get at CIF can be a little hit and miss, I always recommend bringing your own. This way you can be certain that all of your equipment is fully serviceable and that it is properly fitted to your liking. You are going to live with this ruck on your back for about 75% of the time you are in SFAS, so having the peace of mind of knowing it is correct is invaluable. Also, there are times when Fort Bragg CIF will be unable to supply items and candidates will be advised to being all equipment with them, but that process of communication is sometimes flawed and there is no grace for candidates who arrive unprepared. So, I recommend taking some control over this variable and simply bringing all of your own equipment.
You will note that no modified shoulder straps or kidney pads are authorized. I do recommend enhanced shoulder pads while training, especially when first starting out. New ruckers can struggle with the misery management component of rucking. Until you build the resiliency and proper musculature to support the cutting and binding of the straps, some extra padding can be useful. But as SFAS, there is maximum focus on leveling the playing field and modified items are strictly forbidden.
For the record (this is one of the most asked questions), I like the Tactical Tailor Super Straps and the Ergo Super Belt. I’ve tried every brand on the market and even tried some custom stuff and I’ve used these, or their predecessors, for years without any complaints. They are incredibly comfortable and are about as well made as you could ask. I recently built a new ruck, and these were one of my first purchases. My only complaint is that I don’t like the fastex buckle for the quick release. I prefer the old school ALICE QR buckle. The fastex sometime binds under load, so I may scavenge a proper QR and customize my Super Straps as I’ve done in the past. I’m not doing a bunch of react-to-contact nowadays, but old habits die hard.
Optional Items – These are listed as optional, but you would be well-advised to bring them. There is lots of room to customize here. I’ll try to cut through the noise and give you the top 2-3 options for each item and I’ll include the reasoning for them when appropriate. Otherwise, you could spend endless cash and time chasing down the endless possibilities. And many of these items really only have one best option.
Alcohol Markers, as needed
There is only one option here. Staedtler, fine or superfine. You only really need black, but there are some marking advantage with the other colors for land nav. This is not the place to save a few pennies. The Staedtlers will run you $1.99 a pen. The cheaper off-brand version will run you $1.79 a pen. If you want to gamble on your chances of losing your marks, getting lost, or even just inconvenienced all because you wanted to save 20 cents then be my guest. I would bring 5-10 black markers. You might want to case that holds 4 just to protect them in your ruck.
Alcohol Eraser, as needed
The Staedtler eraser is a good option. For as adamant as I am about the Staedtler markers I am equally ambivalent about the eraser. I prefer to use alcohol pads for cleaning my map, but they aren’t authorized at SFAS. 2 erasers will probably serve you well but I should remind you that you can use the regular markers and trace over the line that you want to erase and wipe it before it dries as an expedient method.
Black Tape, friction or electrical, 2 rolls
I recommend electrical tape over friction tape and I always recommend 3M. Made in the USA and worth the extra money over the cheap chinesium crap. The materials last and more importantly the adhesive lasts. And it doesn’t leave a crap-ton of residue when removed. For those that aren’t aware, 3M has a numbering system wherein in the lower the number the higher the quality of the tape. So, the 3M 33 is better than the 88, which is better than the 175. Bring two rolls.
Finger/toe nail clippers, 1 ea
You could get by with any old nail clipper, so long a its decently sharp. But I stumbled across these Victorinox clippersa few years ago and I’m never going back to anything else. This is just engineering and manufacturing excellence. Treat yourself (they’re less than $20) and you’ll never have to buy another pair of nail clippers.
Foot Powder, non-aerosol, 2 ea
I’m amid the final stages of test and evaluation of several brands. Stay tuned for this life-changing update soon!
Large Trash Bags 1 box
Not all trash bags are created equal, and you aren’t using these for trash. These are to keep your gear dry. So, you don’t care so much about flex, or drawstrings, or lilac scent. You need them to be strong, and you need them to be of a certain size. They should fit a ruck or duffel circumference neatly. They also need to be tall enough, so they have plenty of ‘neck’ to tie them shut. These 55 gallon, 6.0 mil, contractor bags are perfect. Thick, tall, and strong; insert your own joke here. They are pricey, as far as trash bags go, but you’re not buying trash bags. You’re buying waterproof bags.
Lip Balm, as needed
Even if you’re not a regular ChapStick wearer, I strongly recommend bringing some. You’re going to be putting your body through the ringer and its impossible to predict how you might respond. I’ve seen plenty of Candidates get grotesquely chapped and torn up lips and more than a few nasty sun blisters. By the time to step off for the LRM, you’re a walking petri dish of infectious diseases and depleted immune system. You don’t want to look like a castaway and you don’t want to deal with the incessant pain. I recommend this Waxhead brand. It’s got a little zinc oxide in it so it’s a real protectant and it can double as bug bite and minor scrape relief. Its only SPF 15 (which is plenty), but you wanted more protection I would recommend this Dermatone option for SPF 30. Stash a tube in your hygiene kit, keep one in your pocket, and there even good to include in your sewing kit to help lubricate a sticky needle and thick cordage when you’re trying to do a difficult field repair on your kit.
Knife or Multi tool * ONLY one or the other* (folding blade 4" or less), 1 ea
Most of us carry a knife as part of our EDC (every man should wear a watch, carry a knife, and have a hanky) and you can write endlessly on this topic. I don’t want to start any needless wars when I declare the Spyderco Military as the only truly proper option for a knife, but I have been experimenting with something a little sleeker for certain occasions. This little carbon fiber folding scalpel is amazing. I swapped out a deep pocket clip for the standard one and it’s been a game changer. I’m pretty rough on my blades, so the ability to simply swap out a new blade so easily has been amazing. It’s so sleek that you don’t even notice this thing in your pocket. Its probably not an heirloom quality piece, but it’s my new EDC.
But a knife shouldn’t be your choice for SFAS. You only get a knife OR a multi-tool, and every multi-tool has a knife so the choice should be obvious. The choice of what multi-tool is where you get lots of options. I’m partial to the old-school SOG Paratool, because the ability to use angled pliers has saved me more than once. But if you want one you have to search for it…and pay. And its not a one-hand open/deploy tool. So, it’s probably not a great option for SFAS.
The best general use multi-tool is the “Gerber EOD”. What makes this tool so desirable is the utility. The replaceable RemGrit blade is awesome, the one handed deployability is nice, but the blasting cap crimper and C4 Punch are the real stars of the show. I’m surprised by how often I used these two specifically as I look back at my operational time. But at SFAS, that C4 punch is invaluable when prying apart a troublesome knot. Those lashings can get pretty tight under load, and I’ve seen more than one team miss their hit time because they couldn’t disassemble their apparatus in time. All for the want of a multitool.
You can’t go wrong with the Leatherman Surge or the Wave, they just lack the utility and cool factor of the EOD. Whichever tool you choose, don’t get in the habit f wearing it in a sheath on your belt. Is it super convenient and always in arms reach? Yes. Does it get in way foy your ruck hip pad and present a general nuisance? Also, yes. Does it look cool? No. So just get in the habit of storing it in your FLC or ruck. I keep mine in my ruck, collocated with my field repair kit.
Sunscreen, non-aerosol, 2 ea
The same way that SPF lip balm should be used as a preventative, so too should sunscreen. I recommend this Blue Lizard SPF 50. Its fragrance free, water/sweat resistant, and has some zinc oxide as a skin protectant. You’ll notice that I’ve selected several products (lip balm, foot powder, skin lotion, sunscreen) with zinc oxide in it. Your skin, especially your hands and feet, are going to take beating at SFAS. Little cuts and scrape can cascade into serious infections and cellulitis if left to fester. The more therapeutic care that you can give yourself the better off you’ll be. If you have multiple care options across multiple products hen you have more therapeutic resources available. Remember the Submariners’ Rule….
Waterproof Bags (zip lock, no larger than gallon-size), 1 box
Ziploc, non-slider, freezer bags. If you spend enough time in a maritime or jungle environment, you learn what bags work well. Get this chub pack so you can get 60 bags in a box. Better to have and not need than need and not have.
Baby Wipes: Alcohol free and without additives, as needed
Way more options that you should realistically have to sift through. There has been an explosion in baby/body wipe options with scent blockers, additives, medicated formulas, and directed marketing. If you are strictly adhering to the directions then you must have baby wipes, no alcohol, and no additives. In this case you have some limited options, it’s damn near impossible to find some with ZERO additives. I like these WaterWipes, but even these are only 99.9%. Frankly, I’ve never seen the wipes get much scrutiny. If you wanted to throw a few packs of these or these I think it would be worth it. These are both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so they’ll be invaluable with controlling the inevitable crud that your body will encounter. One crossing of Scuba Road will make you understand germ A few quick swipes of your feet before you powder up and throw on your socks and boots might be the thing that keeps your feet up to snuff.
Hand Sanitizer, 1 ea
I find it odd that the packing list so strictly forbids any alcohol or additives in the baby wipes and then in the very next item lists Hand Sanitizer, 1 ea, with no caveats. Most hand sanitizer uses alcohol, and many have additives. So, couldn’t I simply dump my hand sanitizer in my baby wipes and circumvent the baby wipe restrictions? It seems odd that we slice the onion so thinly on some items and then roughly dice on others. Weird. At any rate, I recommend bringing a big bottle of hand sanitizer. Keeping your hands relatively sanitized from various pathogens is helpful for obvious reasons, especially as your immune system begins to slowly circle the drain. But the better use of the hand sanitizer might be to keep your little cuts and scrapes from getting infected.
This is a little obvious when it comes to your hands, especially as you battle the draw monster during land nav. But don’t forget about your legs and particularly your feet. You are likely to get fairly scraped up on your lower legs and I’ve seen minor little scrapes around the knees cascade into debilitating cellulitis in 24 hours. One of the struggles with managing blisters on your feet is keeping them dry. The alcohol in the sanitizer can prove really helpful here. When you finish up training for the day and begin your foot care routine you should clean them (baby wipes or soap and water if possible), then sanitize (hand sanitizer), then powder, then socks. I always advocate that simple is better and I maintain that this routine is simply washing and drying, donning some socks, and giving your feet some therapeutic relief along the way. I’ve gone weeks in wet, dirty, swampy jungle environs and by simply cleaning and drying my feet every night I was able to avoid any serious ill effects, while some of my kit literally rotted away. Get this non-moisturizing 80% alcohol version. It’s the best stuff I’ve found and has virtually no sticky residue.
Insect Repellant, non-aerosol, as needed
If you go to SFAS in the late Spring or early Fall, the bugs can be a real problem. Enduring a chigger infestation is just layering misery on top of misery. You want to be careful with what products that you choose because you want maximum effectiveness, but you want to avoid irritating your skin. Getting repellant in your eyes from sweat would be horrible. If you start slathering on sunscreen on top of lotion on top of repellent, you can create some pretty toxic stuff. This is very much a case of test and evaluate. Part of your prep should be finding what products work best for you, in both effectiveness and reactivity.
I recommend a deliberate approach here. The sunscreen that I recommended is great because its less likely to cause irritation and is non-reactive to any of the standard insect repellents. So, you can go for a potent option like this Ultrathon 34% which is also sweat resistant. But I would also strongly recommend a wash in treatment for your clothes. I’m always surprised that so many guys don’t even know these options exist. Back in the day, the Army used to have a kit that was extremely potent. If you got the treatment concentrate on certain clothes or equipment it would actually melt them. I’m certain that I’ve done irreparable damage to my central nervous system, but I enjoyed many bug-free nights in some nasty terrain. They still produce these kits (with an NSN), but they can be hard to get a hold of and I’m not certain that they’re quite as potent as the old-school stuff, even at 40% Permethrin. The Army actually produced factory treated ACUs for a few years, but I can’t find OCPs. There are some commercially available options like this Permethrin P-40 which look pretty good, but I’ve never personally used. Whichever option that you use, I recommend treating one uniform and them wearing that for a few training sessions just to be certain that you don’t get a reaction. This stuff can be potent, so if you grow a third eye that’s on you.
Insoles, Boots (Any Type), as needed
Insoles are a secret weapon. Bad insoles with inadequate support or cushioning can quickly induce multiple injuries, from stress fractures to blisters to severe muscle soreness. Conversely, good insoles can give you amazing results and because the packing list has no restrictions here, you should take advantage of this item. Much like boots, this comes down to user preference. I rarely endorse specific insoles because they are so user unique, but guys keep hounding me for options. I really like the Superfeet Hiking insoles. Some guys think that these are too squishy, and I might agree, but only when they get completely saturated. If you don’t these you might try the Superfeet Trailblazer, which is a carbon fiber orthotic.
I always recommend carrying multiple insoles in your ruck. They are super lightweight and take up almost no room. During SFAS Land Nav. I recommend carrying one extra pair of boots in case you have a catastrophic boot blowout and 2-3 pair of insoles. Most modern boots dry out fairly quickly, so you can recover from a water crossing quickly by just changing socks and insoles. Good insoles are game changer for both performance and foot care. You might consider a pair with high support during movement and switching to a ‘squishier’ set during recovery. I would avoid the drug store mass-market versions, especially the gel options. They rarely handle the abuse of rucking and completely fail under SFAS conditions. If you do the combat math on socks, boots, and insoles you can easily bust the $300 mark on any given day. But your feet are your foundation, and you’re not rich enough to buy cheap gear. Buy once, cry once.
Lighter, 1 ea
A regular old Bic is fine. Keep it in your sewing kit so you never lose it. I get these mini-Bics by the tray, so I never have to search for a lighter.
Liner, Field Jacket, 1 ea
The venerable Smoking Jacket. Pound for pound, probably the best snivel top out there. Years ago, the Army Research Institute conducted a study and the Smoking Jacket was the warmest, by weight, option. I think the newer stuff might edge it out, but the Smoking Jacket is just good kit. And like its big brother the poncho liner, this should be in your kit. Whatever you do, DO NOT get this freak show. Talk about gilding the lily! Just be normal and bring your standard issue liner.
Map Case, 1 ea
There is only one option here. The SealLine map case is the standard. It comes in three sizes. The small is far too small for SFAS. The medium is acceptable, but I recommend the large. It might be a touch cumbersome so you might just get both and decide which one to take to Camp Mackall. I still have the same one that I used at SFAS and its in great condition. Put a loop of 550 cord to hand around your neck and attach your pace beads to it.
Moleskin, as needed
I always recommend against using moleskin in your prep. One of the reasons why you are prepping is to toughen up your feet. If you are consistently applying moleskin, it indicates that your feet aren’t getting conditioned, and it often indicates a boot fitment issue. During a workout, if you are experiencing so much discomfort that you require moleskin, I recommend just terminating the workout so that you can address the issue.
But for SFAS (or even regular field time) it’s a good idea to put together a little foot care kit. You could make it part of your hygiene kit, but a separate pouch is nice to keep stuff organized and help you cross-level appropriately. You might consider adding the Victorinox clippers that I recommended earlier (these things are awesome). You also might add some Fox Heavy Duty clippers for troublesome nails, and they can also double as scissors to trim your moleskin. A nail file is critical, so this Fox stainless steel kit is nice, but avoid doing too much digging and prying at your feet without some professional guidance. Add some alcohol pads (not for SFAS) to keep your tools and toes clean and then take some moleskin and pre-cut some pieces to make it easier on yourself in the field. Try both the padded, aka Molefoam, and non-padded regular stuff. They even make kits with pre-cut pieces, but I prefer to custom cut my own. Put it all in a little pouch as discussed earlier in our sewing kit discussion. You might also consider getting an assorted pack of heavy duty Ziploc bags to keep all of your stuff organized; get this set and you’ll likely have enough to stay organized for the rest of your career.
Pace Cord, 1 ea
If you don’t bring pace beads, then you aren’t serious about getting selected. Non-negotiable. If you’re really serious about getting selected, you should attend a Land Nav Muster. We’ll issue you a set of pace beads and teach you how to use them.
Q-Tips, as needed
Throw some in one of the heavy-duty Ziploc bags and you’re good to go.
Skin Care Lotion, small, 1 ea
What kind of lotion? Medicated or non-medicated? Just “skin care”? What does that mean? What is small? It’s odd that some items are so restrictedly prescriptive, and adjacent items…even facsimiles…are completely unrestricted. So, I say use this to your advantage. You probably don’t care if you have ashy elbows and knees, so you can forego the cocoa butter and shea extract. Think about a dual use lotion that you can use to battle monkey butt or treat your beleaguered feet. This calls for Bag Balm. Some guys swear by Corn Huskers Lotion, but I think this is a hold-over from the ‘no petroleum/oil products’ restriction from Ranger school. For those don’t know, there used to be a hot debate about what sort of hand lotion was authorized for Ranger school. Split fingers were common, especially in the Mountain Phase with all of the rope work. But petroleum-based products were forbidden because they would degrade the ropes. So, for years, Cork Huskers Lotion was the only authorized lotion. It’s not very good, but it held some prestige because it was on the packing list. Bag Balm is more adaptable and a better general use lotion, so it wins my vote.
Tape, 100 MPH (Tan or OD Green), 2 rolls
I wouldn’t necessarily bring a new, full roll of tape, but you definitely want to have some for general use. I would recommend half used rolls of regular and 1 inch. I actually prefer gaffer tape, which is matte and while it’s not listed as “waterproof” like most traditional 100MPH tapes, I’ve found that its very durable and it tears much cleaner. There is some real discussion to be had about building a ‘field repair kit’, but we’ll save that for a future article. For SFAS, I recommend a half roll of this 3-inch OD Green gaffer tape and a roll of this 1-inch OD Green gaffer tape.
Nylon Cord, 550-type, military or subdued colors, 100 ft
This is a standard part of your field repair kit, and you’ll need 550 for tie downs, so definitely bring a hank of cord. Pro tip: the riggers shed almost always has big bundles of 550 from decommissioned parachutes and its just as good as the brand-new roll that costs you 100 bucks. You have to do some untangling but it’s free. Ask for some tubular nylon while you’re asking. Always good to have a little extra for maintaining your gear.
Extra Bite Valve & Bladder for Hydration System, 1 ea
As discussed earlier. Just make sure that your bladder matches your carrier.
Bootlaces, 2 pr
Just two pair of regular old boot laces. Stash one pair in your foot care kit and one pair in your either your sewing kit or your field repair kit. Some guys will tout using 550 cord…so you have extra cordage in a survival situation! C’mon, what are you….Rambo? This falls into the same category as guys that wear those ‘survival bracelets’. Does anybody believe that these guys are ever in a position or live a lifestyle that might require 24 inches of 550 cord to ensure their survival? Every time I see this stuff I think of the meme…“Jesus Christ, its Jason Bourne”. Remember the 3 Rules. Just two pair of regular old boot laces.
Book, (Bible, Ranger Handbook, or Novel * No Magazines* ), 1 ea
Bible? Good. Ranger Handbook? …“Jesus Christ, its Jason Bourne”. Novel? Sure. Pick a good one. DO NOT bring a SEAL book. I’m always shocked how many guys bring a book about SEALs…to SFAS. Really? Cadre quietly judge you. It won’t mean a thing come assessment time, but they’ll judge. The one exception I would make is my favorite novel, Without Remorse. This Tom Clancy classic gives us the origin story for the iconic Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark started his storied career in the SEAL teams of Vietnam. I’ll allow it. Now that 2021 movie adaptation? Trash. A massive, missed opportunity.
Clothes Pins, as needed
These are surprisingly useful as your access to traditional laundry facilities is limited. Nothing worse than line drying your gear and finding it lumped up and still wet on the ground. These are essentially expendable items, and you could get by with two dozen or so. You can go with these standard wooden ones, but they seem too cheap. You could upgrade to these “tactical” clothes pins for a few bucks more. I like these stainless-steel ones. Just a touch more tension and they’ll last forever. Plus, they’re useful in your gear storage to keep stuff organized and open packaged from spilling out.
Physical Therapy Item, non-electric (EX: Foam roller or rolling stick)", 1 Only
They’re just giving it away. This new generation is soft. Back in my day. Last hard class.
News Flash: You’re going to get jacked up at SFAS. Any physical therapy item that helps get you back into fighting form is good. I’ll add to this theory, and perhaps influence your choice, by adding that you should be buddy stretching and even massaging. There is nothing wrong with you helping a buddy out by giving him a rub down or working out that kink in his back. Knowing this is possible, you probably don’t need a massage hook. You can’t bring a trigger point massage gun, so I think the rolling stick is the best choice.
Safety Pins, as needed
As previously noted during my sewing kit diatribe, the best safety pins are scavenged from USGI Triangular Bandages. But you can get a kit of fairly decent ones in assorted sizes for cheap. Add some to your PC, your sewing kit, your field repair kit, or wherever you’ve got a little free real estate. I’ve seen more than one guy suffer a catastrophic crotch blowout and it’s just good practice to be able to get the cow back in the barn quickly.
Lock, Combination (NO KEY LOCKS), 3 ea
You’re just keeping honest people honest, so no need to channel your inner Lockpicking Lawyer. You want to be able to set the combo yourself, so you don’t have to remember multiple combos. These simple locks are fine, or you could ‘upgrade’ to a Master lock. But these can give you trouble squeezing the larger shackle through the hasp on the duffel bag.
Anti-Chafe, (Body Glide or Vasoline), 2 ea
More monkey butt maintenance. Anti-Monkey Butt makes a good product. I like this one just for the name…no idea how well it works but give it some style points. Regular old Vaseline is fine, but it sometimes pills. Whatever you do, do not bring Astroglide. It happens on the regular. I don’t care how well it works for you. This is definitely a case of if it’s stupid, but it works, then it’s not stupid being the exception that proves the rule. The last time I saw a Candidate with a tube of Astroglide he also had a purple crushed velvet pillow and sheet set. I shit you not. He did not make it.
High Lighters, as needed
I don’t use highlighters as part of my land nav process. I see some merit in using them, but none of it transfers to the tactical world so it’s just not something I consider.
Bungee Cords, (Tactical colors only), as needed
Yep, I have some thoughts on bungee cords. Being able to set and break camp without drama is a recipe for good living. Bungee cords allow you to do this. A regular poncho is shit, but it’s what you have for SFAS. As soon as possible you should upgrade to something like this low-cost option or this higher end SnugPAk Stasha or the SnugPak G2. SnugPak also makes the superior version of the poncho liner. The Jungle Blanket is a staple of my kit and I have several stashed in my vehicles as well. I love my woobie, but the Jungle Blanket is just better. You should have a couple of bungees wrapped around your ruck frame (they’re handy for securing loose kit that invariably ends up lashed on. And you should have some bungees in your shelter/poncho kit. I like longer ones because I can always shorten them but Rocket Straps gives you adjustable options and multiple lengths so you can customize your kit. Just stay away from the carabiner versions for SFAS. These X-Strap ones are good quality, but the bigger hooks can be cumbersome when laced around your ruck frame. Nothing wrong with the standard plain old bungees. If you wanted to make them “high-speed” you could use some shrink tube on the hooks.
2 Quart, Canteen Straws, as needed
Done and done, we covered these earlier.
Scubb Brush to clean TA-50, 1 ea
...my care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow…I remember that from somewhere…
This brush is the perfect size to toss in your kit, and its stiff. You need that to knock off dried on muck and dirt and to dig grit out of seams. Yes, I know that the official packing list spells it scubb, not scrub. It drives me crazy, too.
Tent Stakes, Camping, spray painted black only, all others are unauthorized, as needed
Steel or aluminum, these two sets are already black, so they save you a step. The aluminum ones come in a cool reflective bag that might prove useful. You might consider a stuff sack (this four pack is a great deal) for your poncho/tarp, bungee, a hank of 550 cord, and your stakes. Makes it easy to set and break camp. Use a sack for your woobie, one for your snivel, keep your stuff organized so you don’t have to do a layout every time you need to grab something from your ruck. There you go, we buried a great piece of advice under the Tent Stakes section.
Bed sheets / Pillow, NO CIVILIAN SLEEPING BAGS, 1 set
Get a set of these Friendly Swede travel sheets; get the XL polyester ones. They can double as a sleep sack in warmer weather, and they won’t violate the NO CIVILIAN SLEEPING BAG mandate. Especially if you write Travel Sheets on the little bag. Bring a pillow. Sleep is critical and the more comfortable you can get the better. If you need a ‘traditional’ pillow then go for this Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow. If you can tolerate an inflatable pillow then this Sea to Summit Aeros is the best one out there and is super lightweight.
Ranger Shorts - military/subdued colors, no logos, as needed
I stand by my incomprehensibly controversial statement that Ranger Panties do not make good underwear. I’ve been screeched at by guys with less time in the Army than I have in Ranger school, like Ranger Panties weren’t available in the ‘olden times’ that I served. The glory of youthful certainty… But you should still bring a few pair for ‘loungewear’. No that you have much opportunity for lounging, but these shorts are superior the PT uniform basketball-short-knicker-shants atrocities. If you get the chance, you should make the pilgrimage to the Soffe factory at Bragg. Light a memorial candle, say a prayer, and get some killer deals on all of the Soffe gear at the factory store. It’s one of the steps to Green Beret Enlightenment.
Facemask / Balaclava, Army Issue, 1 ea
I’ve lived at Fort Bragg for 25+ years and I don’t recall it ever getting cold enough to require a facemask or balaclava. So, I would default towards a dual purpose item. I like this generic lightweight one because its stretchy enough to use a gaiter or a watchcap or a sweatband.
Neck Gaiter, 1 ea
I can see some utility for a neck gaiter in the cold months, but I see more utility for a long lightweight one…more dual-purpose theory here. I like these Mission gaiters because they’re comfortable, stretchy, and multi-purpose. You can, like the neck gaiter, use it as a sweatband or a makeshift watchcap.
Conclusion
So that’s the Packing List Manifesto. There is nothing that says that you must obsess over inconsequential details or minutiae. You can simply buy the standard, run of the mill, bare bones sewing kit and be just fine. Until you aren’t. I like to personally vet all of my gear. Am I extra? Absolutely yes. Am I wasting time or money. Absolutely not. I’m not rich enough to buy cheap gear and have to keep replacing inferior items time and time again. I want my gear to work exactly as I intend every time I use it. And I like the peace of mind…the reduced cognitive load…that I enjoy knowing that all my stuff is good to go. I don’t have to worry about my maps, my pace, or my notes because I bought the right map case, the right pace beads, and the right notebook and pencils. Gear matters, so spend some time getting the right gear.
