The soldier’s rucksack is not only the core carrier of man-portable equipment, but also a key tool for battlefield survival and mission execution. Its content is constantly adjusted with the evolution of war demands, technological progress and tactical concepts. In this paper, we will analyze the typical configurations of soldiers’ backpacks and the logic behind them from both historical and modern dimensions, combining different types of soldiers and mission scenarios.
Historical Perspective: Soldier's Backpack Configuration in World War II Period
During World War II, the contents of a soldier’s rucksack were based on basic survival and combat supplies, and the design emphasized practicality and rapid deployment. Taking the U.S. Army as an example, its list of single-soldier equipment covered the following core items36:
Ammunition and weapon accessories
8-round magazines for the Garand M1 semiautomatic rifle (each soldier carries 80-88 rounds of ammunition), grenades (wooden-handled or ovoid), and bayonets. Ammunition pouches are usually made of canvas or leather and are quickly accessible via a chest-mounted design.
Survival Materials
Rations: M3-style ration packs contain chocolate, compressed cookies, canned goods, cigarettes, etc. to meet short-term caloric needs;
Water gear: M1910 aluminum kettle and lunchbox combination for both drinking and cooking;
Bedding: blankets, tent cloths (to be used in conjunction with backpacking outfits).
Medical and Tools
First aid kit (with bandages and bleeding medication), M1943 engineer’s shovel (combining digging and melee functions), M44 compass, etc.
Life Supplies
The M1936 field satchel is used to store personal items such as socks and razors, and the M1932 cutlery bag organizes simple tools such as forks and spoons3.
The modularity of backpack design was already evident in this period, such as the Marine Corps’ M-1941 Split Pack, which separated combat supplies (top pack) from living supplies (duffel bag) to accommodate different mission scenarios.2 However, the early canvas material was bulky and poorly waterproof, which made it difficult for soldiers to move around as they had to tie down additional supplies.
Modularization and Task Customization of Modern Soldiers' Backpacks
Modern warfare puts higher requirements on soldiers’ mobility and sustained combat capability, and backpack design tends to be lightweight, modular and multifunctional integration. Taking the U.S. Army as an example, its rucksack systems (e.g., ILBE, MOLLE II) enhance efficiency through the following configurations713:
Core Combat Equipment
Ammunition and weapons: magazines for different firearms (e.g., 30-round magazines for M4 carbines), grenades, and tactical knives;
Protective gear: ballistic inserts, night vision, gas masks (carried on some missions).
Survival and Medical Systems
Water bag system: integrated 3-liter water bag (e.g. CamelBak or Source brand) to support drinking water during exercise;
Medical kits: advanced tourniquets, clotting agents, antibiotics, etc. Some Special Forces are equipped with portable defibrillators;
Emergency food: high-calorie energy bars, water purification tablets, portable stoves (for heating food in the field).
Communication and navigation tools
Tactical radios, GPS locators, encrypted communication equipment (e.g., AN/PRC-152) to ensure squad coordination and real-time information transfer.
Mission-specific equipment
Reconnaissance missions: small drones, thermal imagers;
Demolition mission: C4 explosives, detonators, detonation tools;
Medic: folding stretcher, IV set 613.
Modern rucksacks are highly customizable through the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment) system, which allows the soldier to add additional pouches (e.g., ammo pouches, tool kits), or even an external sleeping bag or cold weather jacket, depending on the mission requirements.13 For example, the U.S. Army’s ILBE main pack (82-liter capacity) can be expanded into a “three-day mission pack,” while the assault pack (26-liter capacity) is used for short duration raids. liters) is used for short raids.
III. Impact of differences in troop types and mission scenarios
There is a significant difference between different types of soldiers and missions on the content of the backpack:
Army infantry: focusing on field survival, carrying tents, sleeping bags, multi-functional engineer shovels;
Airborne troops: equipped with parachute knives, rappelling ropes, light anti-collision protective gear;
Special Forces: carrying up to 40 pounds, covering advanced medical kits, satellite communications equipment, and silent weapons (e.g., bows and crossbows)613;
Marines: the ILBE system integrates water bags and waterproof liners to accommodate amphibious operations7.
In addition, the division of labor for individual soldier roles is refined. For example, an ammunition hand in a squad may carry additional grenade launcher ammunition, while a communications soldier carries heavier radio equipment
IV. Advances in Materials and Ergonomics
Modern backpacks use high-strength materials such as Cordura nylon (tear-resistant) and ballistic nylon (puncture-resistant), and have introduced designs such as ventilated back panels and adjustable hip belts to transfer weight from the shoulders to the waist and reduce fatigue.513 For example, the ILBE backpack designed by Beginning Bird is supported by an internal frame, which allows the pack to remain balanced even if it is loaded with a weight of 120 pounds (about 54 kg)
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