Marines' new enemy: thirst

[AngelsSix]

The fact that they stated "Hours before the mission began, Dynan and company 1st Sgt. Scott Hamm went through each Marine's pack, tossing aside extra underwear, toothpaste and candy bars to shave down the weight." means two things. They can't or don't trust their men, their men can't be trusted, and knowing that fact leads me to believe that if the leadership felt the need to go through all of their packs they should have known that the
knucklheads would probably not bring enough water. They set a bad precedent by telling the guys to lighten their load. I myself have personally witnessed issues with troops refusing to bring adequate water on missions because "canteen make too much noise and they are heavy". Makes it real fun for the medics, bad for everyone else that has to take on their weight and responsibilities when they hit the deck because of dehydration.

[Pete S]

Originally Posted by AngelsSix

The fact that they stated "Hours before the mission began, Dynan and company 1st Sgt. Scott Hamm went through each Marine's pack, tossing aside extra underwear, toothpaste and candy bars to shave down the weight." means two things. They can't or don't trust their men,

Inspect what you expect, but for a 1st Sgt to do that may show some problems, namely mistrust in the Platoon Sgts and Sqd Leaders. Some of this sounds like they didn't cross load their gear correctly.

Edit to add: There was a report on the national news tonight from a reporter imbedded with one of the companies mentioned in the story.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by AngelsSix

The fact that they stated "Hours before the mission began, Dynan and company 1st Sgt. Scott Hamm went through each Marine's pack, tossing aside extra underwear, toothpaste and candy bars to shave down the weight." means two things. They can't or don't trust their men, their men can't be trusted, and knowing that fact leads me to believe that if the leadership felt the need to go through all of their packs they should have known that the
knucklheads would probably not bring enough water. They set a bad precedent by telling the guys to lighten their load. I myself have personally witnessed issues with troops refusing to bring adequate water on missions because "canteen make too much noise and they are heavy". Makes it real fun for the medics, bad for everyone else that has to take on their weight and responsibilities when they hit the deck because of dehydration.

K:

My TS and I have had to go through team members rucks before and help cut weight after a BC mandated pre-infil ruck weigh ins. 80 pounds sounds like a lot till you lay out the mandated team gear share, ammo, batteries, IV bags, NODs, optics, kit bags, crypto gear, etc. I have loaded up to 135 pounds in a Large ALICE, plus the rest of my individual LBE, helmet, weapon, 55 pound parachute, etc. That was for a 30 day UW mission, on the personal gear, I think I had four pairs of socks or so, three changes of underwear, t-shirt, PT shorts, one spare uniform, one stripped MRE per day, a shaving kit, and some rice and ramen.

I have rarely had to chuck comfort items, most of the time, guys were trying to help by carrying extra team gear, usually commo or medical. We had a guy bleed out and die on one trip, after that, I added a transfusion set to my gear.

In truth, I seriously doubt that the Marines were carrying 11 liters each, or drank it all in less than 24 hours. I have seen leadership have to lighten rucks and do shakedowns, especially with junior troops, and about as often to make sure that they were carrying what they were supposed to as not carrying too much.

TR

[AngelsSix]

TR,

Thanks for the input. I wasn't aware that that was the norm, guess you learn from experience. Of course, you know us lazy AF instructors don't do any rucking, unless you count the three feet from the armory to the truck with the weapons.