A guide towards the right kit for light infantry patrol operations conducted by the responsible

civilian as well as the cognitive servicemember

28.03.2022 – by Redbeardtactical
 Chapter 1:
Purpose of this document

KIT-UP Patrol Operations is the first of our manuals on kit. We wanted to create a
mission and environment focused guide on kit, that helps you navigate the almost
endless possibilities that surround your loadout. Patrol operations are a very common
type of infantry operation and therefore mark the start for this series.

Always look at those guidelines as a rough estimate on what to carry. Every mission
is different, so should be your units kit. A combat patrol in an alpine environment
requires way different kit compared to a recon patrol performed in temperate summer.

After reading this issue of KIT-UP, we hope that you will not only have a rough
direction for your kit, but that your skills on understanding kit grow.

Good kit is always focused on forfilling the mission first, while preparing you with
solutions for weather, terrain and duration that you will face during the mission and
while on the approach.
 Chapter 1-2:
Types of patrols

There are three different types of patrols, their individual tasks and subtasks will have
a high effect on your choice of kit. The majority of a patrol operations duration is
spent on the move and without any access to supply lines.

Recon Patrol: Main focus is the gathering of information which will later be
processed into intelligence. Recon patrols are either performed in a zone, area or on a
route.

A subtype of the recon patrol is recon by combat, utilized to test enemy defenses and
capabilities.

Ambush Patrol: Attacking a moving enemy element by conducting a surprise attack.

Goals can reach from annhilating all enemy resistance over slowing down troop
movement to taking prisoners.

Raid Patrol: Attacking a static enemy element or position by utilizing the element of
surprise. Objectives can include disabling certain weapon systems, taking prisoners
or killing a high value target.

The latter two types of patrol are also called combat patrols due to the fact that
combat is an univitable part of them.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

The important part of your kit is not the type, brand or model of loadbearing kit or
ruck you wear. Its what fits inside! Never buy load bearing kit like chestrigs, beltkits
or LBEs before you have an idea what to take with you. Otherwise you will do the
most limiting choice first.

The following pages will contain a list of kit that proved to be essential for all types
of dismounted patrol operations.

Keep in mind that those types of items are really the absolute baseline and dont
translate into every environment. You have to use your brain and reflect experiences
from training. At the end of the guide we will include two example packing lists.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Magazines

The amount og magazines you take with you depends on your mission and your
route. During a recon patrol the amount of magazines should smaller than on a
combat patrol. But also on a recon mission you should consider the likeliness of
combat. Is the patrol conducted in hostile or neutral territory? In hostile territory the
propability of combat is way higher than on neural ground. During a combat patrol
you should consider not only the approach and objective, but also your exfiltration.
Once you have conducted a raid it is highly possible that you will have to fight your
way back home. Six magazines on person is a good baseline for most tasks, they
will ,ost likely sustain you well during one engagement. Keep in mind that follow up
missions and engagements are always possible.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Radio

Not everyone in your squad needs a radio! But your squad should have at least two.
You can carry the best radio available if you dont prepare them well! Keep spare
batteries close to your body in cold weather and seal them watertight. Even if you can
save frequencies you should prepare a table with all important frequencies and
callsigns at hand.

This table should also include fixed listening procedures to save batteries. You can for
example create two listening/ talking windows during a day. This also creates some
security in regards of electronic warfare. Also add a authentification table.

L U M B E R J A C K
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Example:
TOC: Alpha, this is TOC, please authentificate yourself according to 6, over.
Alpha: TOC, this is Alpha, authetification is Romeo, over
TOC: Alpha, correct. Over.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Canteen & Cup

At least 70% of your water supply should be carried in canteens. Make sure to carry
at least one canteen with a steel cup. You can carry 1l canteens on person and bigger
ones in your ruck. The canteens you carry on person are exclusively for on the go
hydration.

Bladders are nice, but they tend to fail under heavy loads. A 1l or 1,5l bladder is
enough. When resting refill your canteens on person with those that you carry in your
ruck. Also drink from the canteens in your ruck only when taking a break.

Nalgene widemouth bottles are also a great option. Dont overload your beltkit or
chestrig with water. Your ruck is the mainstay of your hydration. Large water
canisters are heavy by nature but are your only option when patrolling in areas that
lack water resupply.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Midlayer

No matter your environment, carry at least one midlayer garment! Consider that
temperatures can drop in a few hours. Also be aware of the fact that you will need
one midlayer for static work and one for mobile work in cold weather environments.

Carrying a merino midlayer like the Armadillo Merino LYNX shirt is a great option
for all environments. Never start a patrol wearing your warmest layer. As a rule of
thumb: When you feel slightly cold at the final briefing before the patrol starts, you
are wearing the right layer for movement. If you feel warm when static, you will
sweat and later freeze on the move.

Look at the forecast of your mission area to find the right layering approach for your
patrol. Also keep in mind that the best midlayer is useless when your baselayer is
literally a cotton shirt. Always store a midlayer in reach for immediate access.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Poncho

The poncho is a piece of kit that is often lacking in various kitlists. It outperforms a
goretex jacket in most situations, is out on in seconds, makes a great emergency
shelter, can hide the shine of your headlight when reading a map at night and makes a
great ad-hoc camo solution. You can even pack your kit in a poncho float to cross a
stream.

A poncho should be prepared properly by adding a paracord loops and adjustable

knots to its corners and folding it in a way it becomes a nice and small package. Your
can attach your poncho to your ruck or LBE for immediate access. Its also great to
store a poncho in your smock. Rubber ponchos are way more rugged, silent and
lightproof compared to nylon ones. However, those advantages of rubber ponchos are
paid in weight. There is no reason to dont carry a poncho.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Notebook pocket with content

No matter if you are a leader or a follower, you should carry a small (A6 to A5)
notebook pocket in your garment or LBE. Contents should include at least:
– Pencil (6B or HB is a good grade)
– Lumocolor permanent marker
– Lumocolor correction pen
– Eraser
– Waterproof notebook like rite in the rain

You can expand on this depending on your role in your team. Everyone has to take
notes or do sketches at some point.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Sparesocks, waterproofed

As always there is no fixed amount here. But three pairs of Merino sparesocks will do
the job most often. While one pair is drying, two are at the ready and the other pair is
worn. Always pack your sparesocks waterproof in ziploks or aloksaks. Carry one pair
in a place that you can reach easily. A pocket in your cammies or LBE is fine for
doing so, but an easy access pocket on your ruck is also good to go.

In cold or wet weather conditions, the best way to dry your socks is to place them
inside your pants crotch area. Your body heat will do the job.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Map, waterproofed

Carry a map with you! A map in the scale of 1:25.000 or 1:50.000 is finde, depending
on the distance you have to travel. The map should feature a MGRS grid and
topographic information.

Waterproof your map by putting it into a clear mappocket or laminate it (I prefer the
later solution). This doesnt only keep your map protected from the elements, but also
enables you to write on it with the permanent marker you keep in your notebook
pocket.

Adding a document clamp to your map is a good idea to keep the important side of it
up.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Headlight

A headlight with a red filter or red LED is crucial for working at night. The fact that
you may have NODs is no excuse for lacking one.

You will need it for reading a map, doing simple tasks in the dark or for signaling.

Always take spare batteries with you and keep it at the ready in either one of your
BDU pockets or around your neck.

Your spare batteries should be packed waterproof. Also consider that you should
chose a light that shares the same batteries as your other hardware. Princeton Tec and
Petzl make good military grade headlights.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Stuffsack, waterproof

Keep the contents of your ruck dry and organized. While a raincover is also a
mandatory item, your stuffsack can be also used as a flotation device, SSE bag or
even as a means to carry away earthworks or collect water.

You can get pretty light but fragile stuffsacks from companies like snugpak. Savotta
makes a more heavy, but very rugged stuffsack.

Colordcode your stuffsacks with tape and inspect them from time to time. Smaller
stuffsacks also make a great addition to the usually fragile and unhandy compression
bags that come with sleeping bags and puffy jackets.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Bivvy bag

A good bivvy bag will serve you well at most temprate conditions. Freeze at night,
move at day. You can add foliage like twigs as a groundsheet when you wish to take a
nap. Bivvies are lightweight and also make great stuffsacks on their own.

Non-GTX bivvies like the Snugpak SF bivvy are a great lightweight alternative to
GTX bivvy bags. From early spring to late autumn your bivvy bag and both of your
midlayers are all you need to sleep in most temperate regions.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Headwear

If you arent wearing a helmet, you should at least wear suited headwear when
patroling. A basecap isnt suited headwear. Go for a boonie hat in warm weather
conditions or a watchcap in all other conditions. In extreme cold weather and alpine
winter environments a watchcap usually isnt enough. Go for a proper winter hat.

Keep in mind the temperature drop at night and the fact that you lose big amounts of
bodyheat via your head. Due to those facts you should even consider to carry a
watchcap in summer with you.
 Chapter 2-1:
Kit considerations

Compass

You will need a compass. Which compass exactly depends on your mission and the
terrain you are working in.

A button/ thumb style clip compass should be the very baseline of what you carry.
You wont shoot an exact bearing with that thing. But getting a quick peek at your
direction of travel is often enough to navigate.

Your very baseline should be a baseplate compass, they are lightweight and are great
for working on a map. You can shoot a relatively accuare bearing with those. Most
often you will need nothing else to navigate.

When you need to navigate long distances in rough and very complex terrain, you
might want to use a lensatic or at least a mirrored compass, as you can shoot very
exact bearings with those. As a leader you should always carry a lensatic and a
baseplate compass.

Go for quality brands like Silva, Suunto or Cammenga. Dont buy trash.
 Chapter 2-2:
Load Bearing Equipment

How to carry?

All those items and all other pieces of kit you may judge essential, supportive or enhancing
towards your mission go into your garment, your load bearing equipment and your ruck.
Keep in mind that there are no fixed rules here.

-Items that have the highest priority in regards to accessability usually go into your chestrig,
beltkit or platecarrier. Those items are usually associated with fighting, but can also include
essential sustainment items that are to heavy to get stored in your jacket or pants.
-Use your garment to organize other stuff you may have to access on a regular basis but that
dont need lightning fast access. I like to store navigation equipment, admin stuff, food to go,
my headlight and a poncho in my smock.
-Your ruck should mainly carry goods that are consumable and/or dont have a high priority.
Your third bottle of water, your MREs, your sleeping bag and your set of spare clothes are a
good example. Items that are very bulky also go inside. Although, if you can avoid to carry
a ruck. Do so!

Dont overcomplicate it! There is stuff you want to carry on person and there is stuff you
want to carry in your ruck.
 Chapter 3-1:

Mission Essential, Mission Supporting,

Misson Enhancing kit
When it comes to kit we have to differentiate into three categories of kit.

Mission Essential: This type of kit is essential for completing the mission, a combat
patrol without enough mags for the expected firefight wont make any sense. Same
goes for a patrol without boots or any amount of water. Mission essential gear should
be carried on person.

Mission Supporting Gear: Mission supporting gear has a measurable impact on your
performance. You can survive for weeks without food, but you wont be able to perform well
after a few hours. You can observe a position without observation equipment, but it will
definetely help. Mission supporting gear should be split between you and your ruck.

Mission enhancing gear: Has no measurable effect on your mission. That sleeping bag
system may be comfy, but it isnt really needed during a two day recon patrol at summer.
Same goes for assets like sewing kit, sleeping mats, camo netting or additional rations.
Mission enhancing gear is the first type of gear that you should cut. Mission enhancing gear
is carried in your ruck.

The sight principle: To get a gripe whats essential, supporting and enhancing, look at the
pictured sight. I wouldnt go without the dot! Its the asset that helps us hitting a target the
most. The crosshair is definetely supporting. We can debate about the circle.
 Chapter 3-2:

Factors for Kit Selection

What type of kit a certain item is gets dictated by mission, duration, terrain and weather. To stay
with the idea of a sleeping bag system: It is mission enhancing during a two day recon patrol during
simmer but it becomes mission essential during the same patrol performed in deep winter.

Same goes for the amounts of kit. You need six liters of water a day during high activity in
moderate weather in a temperate climate zone for 24h of physical activity. Does your planned route
include enough water sources to refill during that route if your patrol is supposed to last 24h? Does
the route deviation to refill justify carrying less water? If you need to drink water every 4 hours
your route deviation for sourcing shouldnt be bigger than one hour, otherwise simply carrying more
water is the best possible solution as your marching pace isnt reducing on the same level here.

In regards to food you route planning also is important. A slow marching speed on flat terrain will
consume about 2500 calories a day. On rough terrain it can go easily up to 5000kcal and more. On a
patrol that lasts only a few days you can reduce the amount of calories you take in to 50%, its even
advisable to do so to save weight. But being outside for weeks, you will suffer big performance
issues.

Route, Terrain, Mission and weather decide about importance and quantity of kit.
 Chapter 4-1:

Tables - Explanation

The following table includes mission type, mission duration, weather and priority of
all items. All items get divided into „lots“ and also get a field on where they are
located. 6 magazines on person are a sepperate lot. 1L of water in a canteen are also a
sepperate lot.

Mission Type: Duration: Temp:

 Marching Weather:
Distance:
Strength: Performed: Distance to Water source: Terrain:
Objective
8 man sqd Resting
Periods:
Notes:
Item Name Quantity (per Quantity (per X Mission Mission Support Mission Garment/ LBE/
individual) persons) Essential Enhancing Ruck

Mission Type: Duration: Temp:

 Marching Weather:
Distance:
Strength: Performed: Distance to Water source: Terrain:
Objective
8 man sqd Resting
Periods:
Notes:
Item Name Quantity (per Quantity (per X Mission Mission Support Mission Garment/ LBE/
individual) persons) Essential Enhancing Ruck
EXAMPLE

Mission Type: Recon Patrol Duration: 96h Temp: +1C Day/ -8C
Night
Marching Whole:72km Weather: Light Rain,
Distance: Longest:30km Windy
Strength: Performed: Distance to Water source: Average: Every 3h Terrain: Mountains, non
Objective Longest: technical.
6h Woodland.

4 man sqd On foot 36km Resting Average 8h/Day

Periods:
Notes: Observation post gets set up at
designated zone for one day.
Item Name Quantity (per Quantity (per X Mission Mission Support Mission Garment/ LBE/
individual) persons) Essential Enhancing Ruck
Canteen, 1 / X Chestrig
Plastic, 1l
Cup, Canteen 1 / X Chestrig
Tablets, Water
purification
Magazines, 5 X Chestrig, Rifle
30rnd
Compass, 1@4 X Chestrig
Lenstatic
CAT TQ 2 X Chestrig
Multitool 1 X Chestrig
Rangefinder 1 1@4 X Chestrig
GPS Device 1@4 X Chestrig
Spare Batteries 2 Sets X Chestrig
AAA, CR123
Compass, 1 X Smock
Baseplate
Hat, Cold 1 X Smock
Weather
Gloves, Cold 1 X Smock
Weather
Puffy, Low 1 X Smock
Loft Midlayer
Sparesocks, 1 X Smock
Waterproofed
Fieldkit, Small 1 X Smock
Poncho 1 X Smock
Windshirt 1 X Smock
Headlight 1 X Smock
IFAK 1 X Pants pocket,
left
Survival Kit, 1 Smock
Individual
Item Name Quantity (per Quantity (per X Mission Mission Support Mission Garment/ LBE/
individual) persons) Essential Enhancing Ruck
Camo, Face 1 / X Smock
Cover, 1 / X Pants
notebook, Map,
Writing
equipment
Bladder, 1L 1 X Ruck
Canteen 1L 2 X Ruck
Ration, 4 X Ruck
2500kcal
Spective 1@2 X Ruck
Camo Netting 1 X Ruck
2mx2m
Nightvision 1 X Ruck
Spare Radio 2 X Ruck
Batteries
Spare Socks 2 X Ruck
Spare 1 X Ruck
Baselayers
Midlayer – 10c 1 X Ruck
Bivvy Bag 1 X Ruck
Groundsheet 1 X Ruck
Sleeping pad 1 X Ruck
Sleeping Bag, 1 X Ruck
tropical
30rnd mag, 4 X Ruck
waterproofed
Pack Cover, 1 X Ruck
waterproof
E-Tool 1@2 X Ruck
Toiletry kit/w 1 X Ruck
basic first aid
Trash Bags 2 X Ruck
Mess Kit, w 1 X Ruck
solid fuel stove
and Cutlery
Final Notes:
Each squad member packs his kit in his preffered order if not stated otherwise. Every squad member wears a fitting
base and midlayer for movement and wears suited headwear. All kit should be packed waterproof. Headwear and a
fieldscarf are mandatory.
 Chapter 4-2:
Results & Conclusions
Overall Loadout

In the picture below you see the result of the packing list shown above. All is spread
adhearing to the packing list. While ditching your ruck in case of a compromised
mission is a popular idea, its a mostly outdated concept. If your evasion takes longer
you will need some of the stuff in your pack. Stay as efficient as possible and only
ditch items that have no relevance anymore.

Your overall loadout is spread between your garments, LBE and ruck. Generally you
can take the freedom to shift equipment from your Ruck to your LBE and from your
LBE to your garments. You can also shift some items from your garment to your
LBE. But shifting stuff from your inner layers to your ruck usually isnt a good idea,
all items carried on your body are usually items you need access to in almost every
situation.
 Chapter 4-2:
Results & Conclusions
Ruck

Wrapped in a raincover and all unnecessary straps shortened your ruck is ready to go. Make sure
that you have some space left. Some air helps when you have to repack in a rush. Items that you
have to access during short breaks, like additional sparesocks or canteens should be placed on top
og the ruck. You dont want your team waiting for you. As always, kit should be prepared and
waterproofed.
 Chapter 4-2:
Results & Conclusions
LBE

Beltkits, chestrigs and platecarriers all got their place in patrolling. A raid patrol with a short
approach would totally emphasize a platecarrier. Longer approaches and possible follow up
missions would totally emphasize beltkit, while in a recon patrol with contact unlikely a chestrig
makes perfect sense. Wearing a smock or a large field jacket and using your garments pockets help
to chose a smaller piece of nylon gear.
 Chapter 4-2:
Results & Conclusions
Smock & Pants

Use your garment in a smart way. Those pockets arent there as proxies. However, make sure to
waterproof the contents, especially those on your pants as they often soak with water. The picture
below shows the content of the smock, as well as the contents of the combat pants from the packing
example above. Only item missing is the low loft puffy jacket, which simply didnt fit in the picture.
I usually store the low loft puffy in my smocks inner back pocket.
 Chapter 5:
Last words.

A patrol operation can last a few hours to weeks. But in every scenario you are cut off from your
supply lines for a short moment. Make sure that you are able to thrieve during the mission, after that
focus on your essentials for the approach and exfiltration. Cut off unnecessary weight. Just because
you are outside you dont need a tarp or a sleeping bag. A bivvy bag and or poncho are most often
enough.
Keep your kit:
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic
- Autnomous
- Dedicated to the mission
- READY for contingencies

LEAD Ready

Appendix, sustainment key factors:

-Hydration needed for 24h of activity: 6l

-Calories for daily activity to maintain

weight (male, 1,80m in height, 90kg bodyweight): 2798kcal

– Factor of enhanced caloric need for every additonal 10kg of backpack weight: 0,13

Example: A male of 1,80m weighting 90kg burns 2798kcal during adequate marching without
weight. With a 10kg backpack, this number will be multiplied by 1,13. Resulting in 3161 kcal.

For 20kg this factor changes to 1,26, for 30kg to 1,39, for 40kg to 1,42 and so on.

If you want to get the exact caloric requirement you should add 70kcal per kilometer to your
passive caloric requirements and multiply this with the 0,13 factor listed above.

– The average human walking speed is 4kmh

– Double time military competition rucking speed is 10kmh
– Your average marching pace should be something between those lines.