An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 20 | By BSM MICK SMyth (7 InF Bn) AnD CoMDt gAvIn EgERton (oIC nCotW) M ilitary operations across the full spectrum of conflict require dismounted soldiers to move on foot, at different speeds, over various terrain and climates for continuous periods. there is an accepted requirement for soldiers to carry an external load comprised of protective equipment (body armour, helmet), combat equipment (battle vest, weapon, ammu- nition, batteries, radio, nvE, etc) and sustainment supplies (water and food). however, excessive external loads may adversely impact on an individual's physical capability (mobility, marksmanship skills) and health (sur- vivability, thermal burden). It is therefore important that one considers load carriage when conducting the estimate process prior to an operation. the nCotW's 'Fight light Project' aims to reduce load carriage to the minimum required for each specific task, and to empower commanders at all levels to adjust the load car- ried by their soldiers depending on the threat, terrain, and combat service support (CSS) availability. Until the 18th century, infantry soldiers' loads rarely exceeded 15 kg and any extra equipment was transported by their equivalent of the CSS chain: auxiliary transport, horses, carts, and camp followers. After that loads began to increase, to such an extent that at the end of the Crimean War (1853 to 1856) a British inquiry recommended that combat loads for infantry troops be reduced to 21kg. Later, in 1920, the Hygiene Advisory Board of the British Army recom- mended that the soldier's load should not exceed one third of their body mass when marching. This was an attempt to reduce the burden on the soldier by providing him with only those items needed for combat. There were also attempts to develop compartmentalised backpacks where, if the tactical situation permitted, a portion of the pack containing nonessential equipment could be left behind. However, despite recent technological advances in weaponry, surveillance, communications, and personal protective equipment, the soldier's individual load has increased. Research for the Fight Light Project showed that the average combat loads carried by Australian, British, and US soldiers during recent operations in Afghanistan were ap- proximately 58kg; representing 82% of the average soldier's body weight. Carrying a heavy load reduces situational awareness and reaction times. US Marine Corps (USMC) research has shown that cognitive ability – the ability to think clearly, remember details, make decisions, take notice of the sur- rounding environment – is significantly degraded as the weight of the load on an infantry soldier is increased.

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