Level 1, 2 & 3 gear:
Level one - is what you carry on you in your BDU pockets (compass, matches, knife, etc. Pistol if in a drop leg holster)
Level two - is the above plus your rifle, web gear/vest, buttpack, mag pouches, etc.
Level three - is all the above plus your full pack w/sleeping bag (aka, “72 hour gear”)
This is not a list of required gear, but you should try to equip yourself as well as your wallet will allow. Remember, you're staking your life on this gear!
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Rifle - Should be semi-auto, but rule number one of a gun fight is: "Have a Gun." Should be of a common caliber e.g.. 7.62x39, .223/556, .308win. Military surplus are also perfectly acceptable, but you should bear in mind that ammunition may well become scarce, and 8mm and .303Brit should be well stocked if you opt for one of these calibers.
Also, remember one of the great lessons learned by the south in the War Between the States... “Live off the land, resupply off the enemy”. I don't think our enemies will be shooting .300 WinMag.
Sidearm - If you choose a secondary weapon it should be of a major caliber: 9mm, .40S&W, or .45acp for semi-autos, and .38spl/.357mag for revolvers are going to be the most common. Be sure to choose a reliable handgun with a well established reputation. A 1911, 92FS, Glock, or S&W would serve you well (as would many others).
Ammunition - You should carry as much ammunition as you can comfortably bear. Obviously, weight will be a concern, and while .308 win has more punch than .223 rem, you will not be able to carry as much of it. Most folks will carry about 200-300 rounds on their combat load. If you opt for a sidearm, you should have at least 3-5 magazines (or speed-loaders) for your sidearm in your 72 hour kit.
Weapons Cleaning Gear - For obvious reasons. If you don't keep it clean, it ain't gonna work.
LBE /LBV - (Load Bearing Equipment / Load Bearing Vest) -
LBE/LBV is what you use to carry the stuff you can't do without. It is not your pack.
Generally, it will consist of a vest (possibly plate carrier type), and you will attach your canteens, magazine pouches/ammo bandoleers, first aid pouch/kit, sidearm, etc or a pistol belt/suspenders with a similar configuration. Many folks opt for the USGI issued pistol belt and H/Y Harness or the USGI load bearing vest.
There are a multitude of different types of vests, harnesses, and the like (too many to list here). Basically, you need something to carry the gear that you need to have immediately onhand and still keep your hands free.
Pack - You may well be on the move for a while, so you will need to have something to carry your equipment (that isn't on your LBE). Most folks use the USGI A.L.I.C.E. (All Purpose Individual Carrying Equipment) pack or the new MOLLE pack. A "Real Tree" (or equivalent hunting gear) day pack will work until you trade up.
Boots - Be good to your feet and they'll be good to you. Uncle Sugar spends millions of dollars to figure out what boot is best (for the smallest amount of money) for his soldiers. He knows full well that if his fighter’s feet are fubar they simply can't fight (say that 5 times fast). Having said that, any boot worn by our combat troops will be more than sufficient. Don't expect to last very long if you plan to fight in a pair of sneakers. Go get a good pair of boots, and don't skimp.
Water - Without it you're dead in 3 days, it is that simple. You absolutely must have water purification tablets. Plus, you'll need something to carry it in. USGI canteens can be had for less than $5 each, they hold 1 quart, and you can normally fit two canteen pouches on your LBE along with all of your other gear (and they have a neat little pocket on the pouch made especially for the little water purification pill bottle). Two quart canteens can also be carried or attached to your pack with Alice clips. There are also hydration packs available (Camel Backs). These can be had in a variety of capacities. I have seen them available in sizes up to 72 ounces.
Shelter - Tent and/or sleeping bag. Some may opt to sleep under the stars and save the weight, but if you are in a harsh climate like the high desert, a hooch (tent) will keep you from getting baked (it can be used as a lean-to during the day to provide shade) or in the north during the long cold winters, a decent sleeping bag will keep you from getting frostbite or hypothermia. To conserve weight in your ruck, two men can share a sleeping bag. Also, Mil-issue "pup tents" can be split between soldiers (each carries one shelter half w/ poles). These can be purchased for about $25-$30.
Food - You should have at least a 3 day supply in your 72 hour battle pack. MREs are expensive, but they will last a long time. Canned food is cheaper, but heavier than an MRE. Another option is Coast guard survival rations. A three day supply of food is about the size of one MRE. They taste like a sugar cookie, and you need about a quart of water to wash down one ration, but they will keep you alive. You can save space by breaking open the MRE and tightly wrapping the contents into a smaller package. But keep the heavy plastic bag. It has a multitude of uses (including as a dressing for a sucking chest wound).
Uniform - Most militia folk (at least most of those in organized groups) wear some manner of uniform (also, it's required by the Geneva Conventions). Generally, they wear some manner of BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) with the pattern determined by their AO (Area of Operations). This is not to say that you MUST use BDUs. Anything that you would wear to hunt in the field would be perfect for militia use. The point is to blend in using durable clothing that can stand up to extended wear, and is comfortable. For wooded, mountainous terrain, the best camo is that old standby, woodland available at any surplus store or online outlet. Next would be Marine Digital Pattern (MarPat). The current Army pattern, ACU (Advanced Combat Uniform), is supposed to work "in all environments". But, the old adage "camo that's made to work everywhere, actually works nowhere", could have been coined for the new Army digital camo. It's too grey for desert wear and way too light for the mountains of the northwestern united States. Desert pattern works well southwest and high desert areas of America. Everyone is sporting the new "MultiCam" pattern, and while I'll admit it is a pretty sweet camo pattern, the problem is that it's also just been adopted by the US Army. We, as militia, try to differentiate ourselves from regular military, so might I suggest a nice ATACs pattern?
(see “Uniform Standard” for more info)
Field Jacket & Liner - The most common is the USGI M65 field jacket, it is available in woodland and desert camo pattern. If you've got the cash, you may want to look at the Gortex versions of the jackets. The M65 with the liner will keep you quite warm, the Gortex will do the same and keep you dry at the same time.
Knife - For Combat purposes this should be of the fixed blade variety, not a folder. A 5" blade seems to be the unspoken standard. The USMC issued K-BAR fills this requirement and is relatively inexpensive.
Compass - Preferably the lensatic, military style with some manner of luminous dial. Along with a compass you should have topographical maps of your AO and surrounding areas, and a copy of the "Map Reading and Land Navigation" Army field manual.
Entrenching Tool - An E-Tool, if you don't know, is a shovel. They are available at any camping store or military surplus outlet. Some have said, "If you buy from a military surplus store, opt for the more current tri-folder, versus the WWII style with the wooden handle. The tri-folders are more compact and lighter." The tri-folds are more compact and have that nice handle for digging. However, the old style are sturdier and can be used as a weapon (thrown, hacking). Study WWI trench warfare, the straight handled shovel is an indispensable backup weapon.
Flashlight - Any size or style, just make sure that it has a second red colored lens to use at night in tactical situations (reading a map) under a poncho, of course. Remember, even a red lens covered flashlight looks like a Christmas Tree in Night Vision Goggles.
First Aid Kit - At a minimum, you should have a combat field dressing, in a small first aid/compass pouch attached to your suspenders on the left shoulder. Also, you might consider a small first aid kit attached to your pistol belt or ruck. Ready-made IFAK kits are available at most camping stores, and surplus shops.
These should contain:
1. Pouch: attachable to web gear and conspicuously marked.
2. Compression bandage 1 minimum.
3. Assortment of bandages for minor wounds.
4. Tourniquet.
5. Tape (Heavy).
6. Pain medication, OTC.
These are minimum requirements for a basic IFAK. You may include other items as you need, such as needed medications and other items you feel may be beneficial.
Other items for consideration are:
1. Decompression needle.
2. IV starter kit w/ catheter needle 14Ga.
3. Blood stopping agents.
4. Suture kit (small)
Cold/Wet Weather Gear - For the cold, you'll want to be sure you have some decent long johns to wear under your uniform, along with a good pair of wool or polypro socks to keep your feet warm and dry. For wet weather, you'll need a poncho, preferably two (one in your ruck and one under your buttpack with a poncho liner). If you have the money, you may want to look at the Gortex parka and pant sets.
Hygiene Gear - Ya’ gotta keep clean, otherwise you are going to come down with nasty diseases and infection soap, razors, shaving creme, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. These are not optional things that are nice to have on hand, they are essential pieces of gear that you absolutely must have in order to fulfill the mission.
Helpful hint: Take a roll of TP, pull out the cardboard tube, then flatten and stuff into a
ziplock sandwich bag. Dispense by pulling tissue from the center of the roll.
ADDITIONAL GEAR LIST INSIDE THE "STANDARDS"...
