US SOF Survival Kit

The kit contains 3 nylon pouches with items sealed in plastic:

US Special Forces Survival Kit SP-8217

Aspirin
Opthalmic Ointment
Loperamide, 2MG
Water Purification Tablets

US Special Forces Survival Kit SP-8218

1 EA. Pouch
1 EA. Compass
1 EA. plastic ziplock bag
1 EA. Panel marker

US Special Forces Survival Kit SP-8219

1 EA. Pouch
1 EA. 18' 550 Cord
1 EA. Fish kit, Emergency
1 EA. Leatherman multi knife
1 EA. Surgical razor
1 EA. Insect repellent stick
1 EA. Casualty blanket (Olive Green/Silver)
1 EA. plastic ziplock bag
1 EA. Headnet and mittens
1 EA. Trioxane bar
1 EA. Aluminium sheet
1 EA. Metal match
1 EA. Safety matches
1 EA. Bouillon (beef/chicken)

US Special Forces Survival Kit SP-8220

1 EA. Pouch
12 EA. Aspirin
1 EA. Erythromycin opthalmic ointment
10 EA. Loperamide, 2MG
10 EA. Caffeine pills (N0-Doz)
1 EA. Bandage, GAUZE 2" X 6 yds.
6 EA. Bandage, Adhesive (3/4" X 3")
1 EA. Tape, adhesive 1" X 1 1/2 YARDS
1 EA. Gauze petrolatum
3 EA. Towelette, Benzalkonium
1 BTL. Water Purification Tablets
1 EA. plastic ziplock bag
1 EA. Sewing kit
1 EA. bag, water storage 1 Qt.

Combat Load

First Line Gear (On person/combat uniform):
- Primary Weapon with loaded magazine
- Survival Kit (SRU-16/P or equivalent)
- Beacon (PRC-90/106)
- Watch/wrist compass
- 'Blood Chit' (Escape & Identification Document)
- Ballistic Eye Protection, Earplugs
- Multi tool/Pocket knife

Second Line Gear (On Load Bearing Vest):
- Highest Priority: Primary weapon magazines (210-300 rds. or 400 rds SAW); Magazine pouches, Dump pouch
- Grenades (Fragmentation, Smoke)
- 70-100 oz. Hydration bladder
- Buttpack (72-hr. minimum essentials)
- IFAK or Severe Trauma Blowout kit (One-handed Tourniquets (NSN 6515-01-504-7030), Quick Clot (NSN 6545-01-499-9285) or HemCon Hemostatic bandage/agent), Bandages.
- Personal Protective Equipment :(Kevlar Helmet, Body Armor)
- Sling Rope, Snap Link/Carabiner, leather gloves
- Secondary Weapon w/magazine
- Bayonet/KABAR
- If assigned Navigation duties: (Map, Lensatic Compass, Pace counter, Protractor, AN/PSN-11 PLGR (GPS), flashlight/light stick)

Third Line Gear (In Ruck):
1st Priority:
- Cross loaded Mission Essential/Team Gear (Communications, Demolitions/Breaching, Medical/IV bags, Team Weapons & ammunition, Assault Climbing Equipment, Imagery Collection, etc.)
- Weapon Maintenance (Gun lubricant, Cleaning kit)

Last Priority: Snivel Gear (Base camp/Cache)
- Foul weather gear (E.C.W.C.S./Gortex )
- Water purification system (Katadyn, MSR MIOX, etc.)
- Cold Weather gear (Fleece)
- Shelter (Ecotat Tent Multi-Purpose (TMP NSN 8340-01-360-4427), Bivvy Sack or Poncho, Ecotat Lightweight Sleeping Bag Multi-Purpose (LWSB-MP NSN 8405-01-416-6216) or Poncho liner, Mosquito net, Sleeping pad, Mylar space blanket)


Ruck tips

Tactical Tailor Modified ALICE Ruck

Ranger Gear List (Minimum)

FM 3-100.21 Contractors on the Battlefield

Contractors have always accompanied our armed forces. However, the increasingly hi-tech nature of our equipment and rapid deployment requirements have significantly increased the need to properly integrate contractor support into all military operations. Recent reductions in military structure, coupled with high mission requirements and the unlikely prospect of full mobilization, mean that to reach a minimum of required levels of support, deployed military forces will often have to be significantly augmented with contractor support. As these trends continue, the future battlefield will require ever increasing numbers of often critically important contractor employees. Accordingly, commanders, staffs, and soldiers must be more familiar with how to plan for and use contractors effectively. This manual, along with an established, formal training program, provides the foundation upon which the Army can promote contractors on the battlefield education.

Shadow Company: Private Military Companies (Video)
Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone (Video)
Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Robert Greenwald film)

Public War, Private Fight? The United States and Private Military Companies by Deborah C. Kidwell, Combat Studies Institute (CS) Global War on Terrorism Occasional Paper 12

Independent Contractor - Lessons Learned from Iraq

After Action Reports - A Must Read!

Info from Iraq: From Someone who is doing the Run and Gun by Ben Thomas

Advice from the War: Part 1, Part 2 for civilian "contractors" going to Iraq