Survival Gear List

When I was going through my old Marine Corps gear, pictures and other things I accumulated back then, I found a gear list I once used before heading out into the field. I thought to myself that this list is a perfect place to start in relation to a basic pack/gear set-up for long term/short term outings. Back then we called it our "Junk on the Bunk" list which was basically comprised and depended upon, what our mission was and what the needs were at the time. Were we going to the field? Were we being deployed? Was it for an inspection and so forth? 

When we went to the field, we always had a gear list which consisted of all the things we needed, or shall I say, the gear that was mandatory. Although we did not always use every item we were required to have, we still had to carry it with us.

A gear list may fluctuate based upon mission needs but these items which are called 'basic" are those we never removed from our packs or LBV list. As you would not go out into the field without those items period. As opposed to those which can fluctuate based upon weather conditions and other possible mission changes and needs are those which are also listed as (optional).

Below is a gear list of those items we had to carry.  Those items which were mandatory will be listed as (required); and those listed in which we had the freedom to take of our own accord will be listed as (optional); those items which are things I have added to fit today's needs will be listed as (changed); and those items which where required in regard to our basic needs will have (basic) as these items will express the main core of what we carried at all times.

(BASIC)
-On Body 

(1) Flack Jacket
(1) Kevlar Helmet

-On The LBV (Load Bearing Vest)
(Required Gear List)
​
(1) LBV Load Bearing Vest 
(1) Butt Pack
​(1) First Aid Kit 
(2) Canteen Cups
(2) Canteens
(2) Canteen Holsters 
(1) Compass and Case
(1) Pistol Belt
(1) Bottle of Water Purification Tablets

​The vest itself came in two types: the infamous Y-Harness, and the LBV. The LBV was mostly worn because it held eight thirty-round magazines and two hand grenades. Whereas the Y-Harness pouches only held six thirty-round magazines. The butt pack seen in the picture below was where gloves, duct tape, writing gear, MRE's, eating utensils, water purification tablets, and other things were stored.

-Inside Alice Back Pack
​
(1) Back Pack - Alice Pack 
 39.52 liters (2412 cubic inches) Load bearing 125 lbs.

(1) Flash Light w/extra batteries 
​(1) Pair of Gloves w/liners 
(1) Pack of Baby Wipes 
​(1) Cammo Face Paint 
(1) Field Mirror 
(1) Poncho w/ Poncho Liner 
(1) Foot Powder 
(2) Pairs of Socks 
(1) E-Tool Shovel w/ Case
(1) Writing Gear
(1) Large Black Trash Bag 
​(1) Waterproof Bag
(1) Sleeping Bags w/outer cover 
​(1) Shelter Half (Half of a Tent) /with tent pegs 
(1) Towel 
(1) Clothing Repair Kit
(2) Pair  of Boot Laces
(2) Pairs of Boot Bands 
(1) Hygiene Kit
(1) ISO Mat (Insulation Mat)
(1) Extra Pair of Cammies (Blouse, Pants and Cover) 
(1) 5/50 Cordage
(1) Ear protection
(2) Pairs of Underwear
(2) Skivvy Shirts
(2) Bungy Cords (To keep the ISO Mat attached to the bottom of the pack)

​(Optional Gear)
(1) Gas Stove or Sterno Fire Gel (If allowed when not training in a tactical environment)
(1) Bandanas
(1) Camel Water Bag
(1) 2 qt Water Bladder Canteen
(1) Leatherman Multi-tool
(1) Bic Lighter w/ Cigarettes (Only if allowed when not training in a tactical environment)
(1) Soap w/case
(1) Mosquito Net 
(1) Electrical Tap (To make gear quite for tactical reasons)
(1) Knife
(1) Jacket Liner (Only when during cooler seasons)
(1) Gortex All Weather Gear (Only during cooler seasons)
(1) Can Opener (Only if you brought tuna to add extra protein to your diet)
(1) Wrist Watch
​
(Changed Gear)
(1) Axe w/ Cover
(1) Folding Bucksaw w/ Cover
(1) Bushcraft Knife /w Case
(1) Whistle
(1) Solar Calculator
(1) Map w/ Case
(1) All-weather writing Gear
(1) Plant and Tree Identification Material
(1) Wrist Watch

For Fire Starting
(1) Firebox Stove
(4) Fire Sticks
(2) Ferro Rods
(2) Magnesium Bars
(1) Stormproof Matches
(1) Bic Lighter
(1) Mag x 5 Lens

You will notice the gear listed above which we used in the Marine Corps Infantry units covers all the 10 C's of survivability which is used by David Canterbury in his Bushcraft Courses.

Cutting Tools: knife, axes, saws
Combustion Devices: ferro rods, lighter, mag lens
Cover Elements: clothing both summer and winter, wool blankets, sleeping systems, tents, hammocks, and tarps
Containers: canteens, water vessels, cooking gear
Cordage: 5/50 Cord, bankline, rope, webbing, tape
Cotton Materials: shemaghs, bandanas, pieces of cloth
Cargo Tape: Duck Tape, Gorilla Tape
Candling Device: lamps, candles, headlamps
Compasses: Lensatic compass, flat protractor compass
Canvus Repair Needle: Speedy stick sewing awl

Mors Kochanski's Tools of Survival which is taught by Karamat Wilderness Living Skills and Survival Course in Canada:

The Tools of Survival
1. Clothes
2. Fire
3. Knife
4. First Aid Kit 
5. Navigation
6. Sleep System
7. Cooking Pot
8. Shelter
9. Bindcraft
10. Pack Frame and Bag 
11. Saw, Shovel and chopping tools

It makes complete sense why our mission as Marines was to have all the necessities needed to remain self contained out in the field for long periods of time. Some times while training we would literally stay out in the field for a month, and the only thing we got replenished with was food and water. All the other items were all in our packs, or on us.