Average Food and Water Requirements for Deployed Soldiers

Understanding the average amount of food and water soldiers carry during deployments is crucial for both military planning and humanitarian aid. This article explores the complexities and nuances of what soldiers typically carry, depending on various factors such as the nature of their deployment, the type of mission, and the branches of service involved.

Dependent on the Deployment and Location

The amount of food and water soldiers carry varies widely based on the type of deployment and the location they are operating in. In a fixed location where soldiers are conducting day missions, the amount of supplies can be greatly reduced. They may carry an MRE (Ready-to-Eat Meal) or only a portion of the pack, or even go without food if the mission is foot-based and supplies are nearby.

Fixed Base Deployments

When deployed to a fixed base, such as in Northern Ireland, soldiers might have access to regular meals at the base Mess Hall. These meals were usually ample and well-liked, particularly if the base was open for meals throughout the day. For 24/7 operations, the Mess Hall would remain open, providing soldiers with a variety of meals to sustain them.

Offense Operations

In offense missions, where units are advancing, soldiers typically require at least three days of supplies. This includes a case of MREs and enough additional food, water, and other necessary items to last the mission. Vehicles, regardless of the situation, usually have at least a case of MREs each to ensure the soldiers' needs are met.

Variables Influencing Food and Water Carry

Several factors can influence the amount of food and water soldiers carry during a mission: Type of Mission: Different missions have different requirements, from short, quick operations to long-term deployments. Location: The terrain and climate of the deployment location can greatly affect how much food and water are needed. Vehicle Support: In mounted infantry units, the support from vehicles can reduce the weight and quantity of supplies soldiers need to carry. Enlisted vs. Officers: There can be significant differences in the amount of supplies between enlisted soldiers and officers, with officers often having more resupply support.

Personal Experiences and Observations

Personal experience from a British soldier in the 1980s serves as a useful reference. When deployed off-site for exercises, the standard was to carry enough supplies for up to two days, stored in what are known as 'rat packs'. In such cases, soldiers operating in APCs (Armored Personnel Carriers) found it less of a burden, while those on foot encountered more difficulty due to the weight of their gear.

When operating from a fixed base, a typical setup involved a pound or more of water and a substantial meal before embarking on a patrol. A field-stripped MRE, a zip-lock bag of compressed bread, and several packets of granola bars or candy could be enough to last through two days of patrolling, especially if movement was frequent and open desert areas were traversed. To ensure adequate hydration, soldiers typically carried at least five liters of water, including at least one liter of a mixed sports drink like powdered Gatorade.

Final Thoughts

While the specifics of food and water requirements can vary greatly based on individual circumstances, it is clear that the military takes extensive measures to ensure soldiers are well-supplied for the missions they undertake. Understanding these requirements helps in planning effective deployments and providing necessary supplies to maintain the well-being and performance of soldiers in the field.

Keywords

military deployment soldier food supply water requirements

References

[1] Personal experience from a British soldier in the 1980s. (Internal reference)

[2] U.S. Army Field Manual FM 4-0 (Internal reference)