Re: Backpacks, Water Bottles, and Doctrine

Thomas Barclay of the Clan Barclay wrote:

> I don't know about other nations, but Canada had an "emergency
> breakaway" manoevre that I was taught in basic. It involved undoing
your
> waist ruck strap and then pulling a tab on each shoulder and the ruck
> just "went bye bye". Then you could beat feet fast and fight more
> effectively once you'd dropped that extra 50+ lbs. What's the doctrine
> for this in the Aussie infantry?

I guess we operate from different assumptions. Our normal doctrine seems
to be based on the following:

a) You're on your own when it come to logistics, the nearest Resup point
is many days away. Don't rely on APCs, trucks or helos. Your Pack IS
your logistics train, keep it with you or in a secure place at all
times, or you will die.
b) You're outnumbered severely. You're there to find the enemy and
possibly bushwhack him, not to fight him on even terms. A Claymore is a
wonderful aid to breaking contact with a superior force, every man in
the patrol should have at least one.
c) Climate will be Hot, Hotter or Hottest. Carry at least 3 liters of
water per day, and More is Better. Yes, that means 20+ kg of water each.
OTOH you don't need much in the way of warm clothing or high-calorie
rations just to stay alive unless you're MAAWC (Mountain and Antarctic
Warfare Cadre).
d) "The day will not save them, and we own the night". 

If ever there was a misnomer, it's the phrase "Light Infantry". You can
always tell them, they're the huge 120+ kg guys loaded with 60+ kg of
pack, navigation aids, satellite comms, night-vision gear, plus weaponry
on top of that. 
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