The basic premise behind a log pack system is that the soldier’s rucksack should be replaced with a log pack that is supplied to the soldier with ammunition, rations, and water. On a scheduled basis (most likely every two days to limit weight) this log pack would be swapped out with a new log pack to keep the soldier supplied with the basic necessities of combat. To fully exploit the benefits of this system, we need to make a few minor adjustments.
Most log pack systems are proposed as a way to
support the infantry folks but this ignores some of the greatest benefits that are
available with log packs. Why not use the log
pack concept for support of all forward deployed assets, regardless of combat duty? This would allow us to eliminate some of the
weakest links in the current support chain while introducing a great deal of flexibility
to our logistics.
A basic log pack would consist of the
following:
A field pack would consist of packaging these
items into cases similar to the existing cases of MREs.
A combat pack would add ammunition to the load and package it into a small
rucksack with a tag on the top listing what type of ammunition is inside. These packs would support either two soldiers for
one day or one soldier for two days.
Logistically, this offers a number of advantages. It will dramatically limit the vulnerability of
high priority targets like ROWPU and mess halls in forward areas and particularly in the
BSA. It also works well with providing aerial
support for all logistics as water and small arms ammunition is divided into more
manageable units. The personnel no longer
needed for support in the front can be used to form the units that load and manage the log
packs in the rear.
This system also helps to manage the water intake
issues of deployed soldiers. Combat troops
are often too busy to pay attention to water intake and this leads to injuries. With a log pack system, the soldier gets a helpful
reminder to drink more water or else quickly be weighted down. This system helps higher echelons manage the
dietary intake of deployed forces as well, ensuring that everyone in the field has access
to what they need to survive and remain healthy. We
also can incorporate field hygiene elements into the program to reduce casualties to
illness and foot problems.
Perhaps most importantly is that log packs limit the vulnerability of the food and water portion of the supply chain to contamination. Water buffaloes are prime targets allowing enemy forces to rapidly and efficiently poison large numbers of personnel (consider the effects of dumping about 5-10 gallons of diesel, which is generally handy wherever there is a water buffalo, into the water supply for a company or battalion – with as much chlorine as we put in the water, most would never even notice the difference in taste). Another critical issue is field mess halls - how many times do we have to witness large numbers of soldiers, congregating in the same field location at the same three times a day, every day, before we fix this obvious weakness? What is absurd is that oftentimes, the soldiers standing in the chow lines will even be discussing what obvious targets they are while standing there. We know it is a problem; let’s fix the problem.
Improving the MRE
Improvements can be made to the MRE with the establishment of a log pack system. Like the log pack concept in general, these improvements can enhance logistics as well as morale and field hygiene.
The first big improvement comes from the 1st
Tactical Studies Group and involves converting the spoon supplied in all MREs into a spork
that includes a toothbrush on the handle end as well as an attaching point for disposable
razor blades. This is a straightforward,
common sense improvement. If the powers that
be don’t like the spork idea (it is reported that the idea was rejected because of
this), then fine, leave it a spoon but at least provide the toothbrush and razor
modifications. It’s a sad day when the
world’s most expensive military is too damn cheap to even provide basic hygiene
utensils to its soldiers.
Another improvement that can be made with log pack
MREs is the incorporation of a greater variety of foods in the MRE. We won’t have to have foods with extended
shelf lives with this program as we know what will be consumed and when. This means that we can incorporate a lot of
different foods that are already commercially available.
This will result in significantly lower costs than with current MREs.
These two changes would dramatically improve life in the field for many soldiers. We can also use the MRE as a tool to improve soldier performance as well. Field living in the military is physically little different than many professional sports. The physical toll that field living takes on the body can be enormous and unlike most sports, it lasts 24-7 for the duration of the conflict. Professional athletes optimize their performance largely through managed diets. The same advantages can be implemented here. Different foods offer different benefits depending on climate and region. With this program, we can tailor the diets of soldiers to the physical realities in which they are living.
Improving Field Hygiene
Currently, U.S. ground forces suffer from one
extremely serious field hygiene problem. The
problem is that in general, there is no field hygiene.
Oh sure, we talk about it, write manuals about it, we even have inspections
for it, but we don’t take it seriously. Then
we all sit and bitch about mysterious illnesses after every conflict wondering what
happened. What happened is that in the field,
we are just plain nasty.
Good field hygiene does not require having hot
showers and given the latest innovations, for short periods of time it doesn’t
require water at all. But it does take a
little common sense and supplies. This is
where a few of the items in the proposed log pack come into play.
Disposable 100% Cotton
or Wool Socks – 6 pairs per log pack, 2 small, 2 medium, and 2 large
Most of the clothing that a soldier wears in the field can be worn for extended periods before it gets too disgusting (or walks off under its own power). Socks do not fall into this category. Socks must be changed every day and should always be replaced with a clean pair.
By including six pairs of 100% cotton socks in the log pack, we get a very multi-use little addition to the pack. The soldier will only be wearing two of the pairs (the ones that fit), the others can be torn up and used as camo strips, all-purpose cotton rags, padding for metal gear on the LBE or ruck, or anything else that a good size piece of cotton cloth can be used for. Cotton won’t hold up well as a sock, but that is why we are treating it as a single use disposable item.
This ensures that every soldier has a fresh, dry pair of socks every day when deployed. It also provides the soldier with material to help in maintenance of weapons and other equipment. The socks can be recycled or if the situation requires they can be disposed of, as cotton is biodegradable. By vacuum packing these socks, this addition can be made with very little space and weight.
All-Purpose Field Soap
– 2 packs per log pack
A number of companies offer soap products that can be used as toothpaste, body soap, or shampoo. While they are a far cry from the comforts of home, they suit the requirements of field hygiene to a tee.
Heavy-Duty Disposable
Wipes – 2 packs per log pack, 5 wipes per pack
While the field soap is a great and versatile product, there are areas of the body that should be cleaned with other means. Five wipes works out to one for each foot, one for the butt, and one for the groin, with another for the hands when finished.
Medicated Body Powder
– 2 packs per log pack
Most foot and rash problems are simply a matter of a local area of skin getting overheated from friction. Medicated powders can drastically reduce these types of problems, especially in the feet and groin areas.
These additions to the log pack will dramatically
improve the field hygiene of deployed forces but it also accomplishes other tangible
benefits as well. Few things kill morale
quicker than heat rash and trench foot. And
you can never have enough cotton rags in the field when it comes to maintenance.
Push Logistics
Perhaps the greatest benefit of log packs is the
ability to perform push logistics. With this
technique, supplies are provided to the soldier in the field, as they are required,
without any action from the soldier. Certain
field items, such as batteries, have a known life span after which they must be replaced. With log packs, we can incorporate these items
into the logistics system on a scheduled basis so that the soldier in the field gets the
material he needs as he needs it. Let’s
look at this a little closer with our battery example.
All units possess certain battery-operated devices
like NVGs and radios. With push logistics,
when the unit first gets deployed, they would be issued fresh batteries for all of their
devices. Then on a scheduled basis they would
automatically receive new batteries for all of their devices. While this doesn’t eliminate the need for
having some spares on hand, it does greatly reduce how many need to be kept.
The incorporation of field hygiene elements within
the log pack is another form of push logistics. With
these types of supplies, we know in advance how much and of what items the units will
require. We can send the supplies to the unit
without all the red tape that currently cripples our supply system.
A variety of other field items would work well
with a push logistics capability. Sundry
packs that currently require ordering can be included within the log pack. Newsletters can be fielded to keep the soldier in
the field reminded of what it is he is fighting for.
Useful items like 550 cord, pens, and paper can occasionally be included in
the packs. We could even include things like
decks of cards, small games, or books. We
simply would rotate what types of items are included in the packs from day to day to
control weight. One day may be batteries, the
next may be prizes, the next sundry items, the next field items, and so on and so forth. And because the packs themselves will normally be
returned to the rear to be refilled, undesired or unneeded items can be sent back with
spent packs.
We can also use the packs to include pills for
immunizations or notices of policy or procedure changes in the packs. Updates on current enemy tactics or methods could
be distributed as well. The log pack system
also provides for a built-in method for troops to get mail sent home to loved ones; they
can send it back with the pack while bundles of mail for the unit can be included in new
log packs.
This is an ideal way to meet the vast majority of the logistical requirements of deployed units. It allows us to incorporate a number of different supply issues into a single, flexible solution. Push logistics with log packs will result in improved morale, improved field hygiene, better combat performance, and healthier soldiers overall.
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