Living in the field

• Civil Engineering
• Special Education

Living in the field

Lt Holmes

Learning Objectives - Lesson 1

By the end of this lesson you will:

• Understand the four requirements of survival in order to apply them in the field;
• Be able to identify items of the combat clothing system and personal protective equipment in order to employ various dress states

The four requirements of survival

Introduction

It is every soldier’s duty to attempt escape if captured. 

All soldiers should be capable of surviving should they find themselves in a situation that requires it, for instance having escaped from a PW compound. 

A basic knowledge and some simple equipment carried on the person will allow the soldier to survive until he/she is able to link up with friendly forces.

What are the four requirements?

What are the four requirements? 

Drag the right answers into the red box below.

Clothing

Water

Communications

Shelter

Fire

Internet

Sense of hope

Food

Determination

Research Exercise

To aid in applying these requirements, take 10 minutes using publication AC 71717 to identify the recommended items in a survival tin and why they are recommended.

Items in a survival tin

Apart from simply being able to store the items, what other purposes does the tin itself serve?

1. Reflective surface for signalling
2. Protection from bullet strikes
3. Emergency boiling vessel
4. Making noise to scare away predators

Making an effective shelter

Using AC 71717 page 2-8, what are the three points to note when setting
up a basha?

The Combat Clothing System

Introduction

Dress is an important matter for a soldier and never more so than on operations. A soldier’s clothing not only provides him with protection against the elements and against enemy fire but also presents an important corporate image. The Services are judged on appearance not only by other British service personnel but by our Allies, our peers and the enemy!

Research Exercise

Using AC 71717 chapter 1, take 10 minutes to list the 15 items of the Personal Clothing System

15 items of PCS

Where should ID Discs be worn?

1. top left pocket
2. top right pocket
3. around the neck
4. around the waist

What does UBACS stand for?

1. Urban Battle Armor and Clothing System
2. Universal Battle Attire Combat Suit
3. Under Body Armour Combat System
4. Under Body Armor Combat Shirt

Which item of clothing is this?

1. Thermal Shirt
2. Thermal Smock
3. PCS Lightweight Jacket
4. PCS Windproof Smock

Which item of clothing is this?

1. Thermal Shirt
2. Thermal Smock
3. PCS Lightweight Jacket
4. PCS Windproof Smock

Which item of clothing is this?

1. Thermal Shirt
2. Thermal Smock
3. PCS Lightweight Jacket
4. PCS Windproof Smock

Which item of clothing is this?

1. Thermal Shirt
2. Thermal Smock
3. PCS Lightweight Jacket
4. PCS Windproof Smock

Research Exercise

Using AC 71717 chapter 1, take 5 minutes to list the six items of the issued Personal Protective Equipment 

PPE items

What are the two types of ballistic eye protection available?

1. Glasses
2. Mask
3. Visor
4. Goggles

Learning Objectives - Lesson 1

By the end of this lesson you will:

• Understand the four requirements of survival in order to apply them in the field;
• Be able to identify items of the combat clothing system and personal protective equipment in order to employ various dress states

10 minute break

Learning Objectives - Lesson 2

By the end of this lesson you will:

• Be able to name the Basic Orders of Equipment and identify when these would be used
• Be aware of the items required for each order in order to be able to pack and assemble for your role and mission
  
• Understand how to care and maintain your clothing, equipment and weapon
• List the duties of a sentry and understand how to complete a range card

Load Carrying Equipment

Introduction

 A soldier’s effectiveness in combat can be hindered greatly by excessive weight being carried. The soldier needs to understand what options are available regarding load carrying equipment, how it should be assembled and what kit and equipment should be packed in it. Knowing this will enable the soldier to best select the method of packing equipment to suit the operation thereby making them more effective on the battlefield. 

The 'Fight Light' Mindset

During periods when the British Army has not been engaged in combat operations there has been a tendency to carry non-essential equipment. Once back in combat, whether in 1917, 1944 or 2010, soldiers naturally discarded all except what they really needed to fight and survive – the weight of ammunition, body armour and communications or ECM equipment being more than enough to carry. The average load carried on operations is currently around 60kg. To put this in perspective, the average soldier weighs 71 kg. Two clear lessons emerge from this...

The 'Fight Light' Mindset

 a. Essentials Only. Don’t add any unnecessary kit to the fixed weights of body armour, ECM, weapons and ammunition. Cut your fighting order down to the essentials – FIGHT LIGHT! 

 b. Physical Fitness. While work is continually underway to reduce the combat load on soldiers, the need for a high standard of physical fitness has never been more important and exercises must be conducted where realistic battle loads are carried. Unless we train with heavy loads in patrol

and marching order, they will be unable to fight and carry them in war.

Identify the three basic orders of equipment

Movement Order

Patrol Order

Fighting Order

Emergency Order

Marching Order

Assault Order

Using AC 71717 page 1-12 to 1-14, in what situation would each
Equipment Order be used?

What is the heaviest item in Patrol Order?

1. 24 hr rations
2. Day sack
3. 2nd water bottle
4. Bandolier

Where are the largest items stored in Marching Order?

1. Day sack
2. On the person
3. Bergan
4. In stores

Finally list the total weights for each Order of Equipment including CBRN and Osprey plates

Care and Maintenance of Clothing, Equipment and Weapon

Introduction

Being able to maintain the kit and equipment issued to you is a sign of a professional soldier. All kit should be ready for use at a moments notice and only correctly maintained kit will allow for this. Your commander needs to be able to rely on you to maintain your personal weapon and equipment without constantly checking on you. Failure to maintain your kit will be that it will invariably let you down when you need it most.

How would you care for and maintain your weapon?

How would you care for and maintain your clothing and equipment? AC 71717 Page 2-23 may help.

Duties of a Sentry

Research Exercise

Using AATAM page 4-96, take 5 mins to list the duties common to all sentries, and those for ground sentries 

Duties of a sentry

The range card

jive.defencegateway.mod.uk

Name things that you would include on a range card

Learning Objectives - Lesson 2

By the end of this lesson you will:

• Be able to name the Basic Orders of Equipment and identify when these would be used
• Be aware of the items required for each order in order to be able to pack and assemble for your role and mission
  
• Understand how to care and maintain your clothing, equipment and weapon
• List the duties of a sentry and understand how to complete a range card

Thank you for

your participation!