Post by finster on Jan 15, 2008 0:05:25 GMT -5
After 25 years of reenacting, most of it as an infantryman, I have learned 1 VERY important thing about field gear. Less is better! One of the main things that is often forgotten is the total weight of all the gear when loaded. Doing a weekend and short battles and tacticles, it's easy to forget how long you would be carrying it all. Everyday all day, by yourself, no gaurantee of a vehicle to carry it, or if one does, you get yours let alone one at all IF the trucks can get up to you. When I first got into ACW, I was fortunate enough to join the most prestigious reenacting unit in the United States at the time.
The 5th Kentucky(US) Thomas' Mudsills were a hard core authentic unit of at least 2 full strebgth companies at any given moment. More when we had a maximum effort event. We prided ourselves on doing it right, which included marching miles to battlefields and eating out of our haversacks for at least 1 meal. We carried our packs into battle very often. You learn what you need and what you don't. a razor, a mirror, housewife, towel, shirt, socks, food, blanket, etc.
Weight is a very important thing to take into consideration. After time in the field, it becomes very noticable. You will want fewer creature comforts because it's easier to do without than carry it. The reason you see so many small things for souveneers is because the GI had to tote it around until he got to a rear area. I'm not saying larger stuff wasn't taken, I have a Mauser my cousin brought back, I'm sayin it woulda been stashed with a buddy in the motor pool or HQ or somewhere the GI trusted with transportation abilities. When I was in the regular Army, I did it. I only carried what I needed. Bare necessities. I rarely used my ALICE pack, mostly my buttpack with a poncho and liner rolled under it. I actually woulda fared beter if I'd followed the Army's guidelines, but I was able to stay resonably dry and carry more food and ammo and still carry less weight. I'm not saying skimp to the point it looks like a floppy, empty pack and pouches, but think it out.. Try camping out of your pack a few times and see of the stuff you took, what you used, what you didn't. What you needed. Keep in mind the things that are a must. Cleaning kit, piece of rag for cleaning patches, sewing kit, mess kit. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle and hurt, and look like the vets as that's what they did. And they learned it the same way I just told you!
Fins.
The 5th Kentucky(US) Thomas' Mudsills were a hard core authentic unit of at least 2 full strebgth companies at any given moment. More when we had a maximum effort event. We prided ourselves on doing it right, which included marching miles to battlefields and eating out of our haversacks for at least 1 meal. We carried our packs into battle very often. You learn what you need and what you don't. a razor, a mirror, housewife, towel, shirt, socks, food, blanket, etc.
Weight is a very important thing to take into consideration. After time in the field, it becomes very noticable. You will want fewer creature comforts because it's easier to do without than carry it. The reason you see so many small things for souveneers is because the GI had to tote it around until he got to a rear area. I'm not saying larger stuff wasn't taken, I have a Mauser my cousin brought back, I'm sayin it woulda been stashed with a buddy in the motor pool or HQ or somewhere the GI trusted with transportation abilities. When I was in the regular Army, I did it. I only carried what I needed. Bare necessities. I rarely used my ALICE pack, mostly my buttpack with a poncho and liner rolled under it. I actually woulda fared beter if I'd followed the Army's guidelines, but I was able to stay resonably dry and carry more food and ammo and still carry less weight. I'm not saying skimp to the point it looks like a floppy, empty pack and pouches, but think it out.. Try camping out of your pack a few times and see of the stuff you took, what you used, what you didn't. What you needed. Keep in mind the things that are a must. Cleaning kit, piece of rag for cleaning patches, sewing kit, mess kit. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle and hurt, and look like the vets as that's what they did. And they learned it the same way I just told you!
Fins.