2293 Squadron First class fieldcraft training

Lesson 1 Handout (A)

My Suggested Way of Assembling and Filling Your Webbing (Belt Order)

1. 2. 3. 4. Belt Yoke Double Ammunition Pouch. Utility Pouch or a water bottle pouch ( I prefer the utility pouch, as you can fit a brew kit in too) 5. Utility Pouch 6. Utility Pouch 7. Utility Pouch 9. Small pouch (non standard PLCE) 10. First Field Dressing Pouch (FFD)

Currently, there are three versions of PLCE doing the rounds, so to speak. These are, as best I can determine: Version 1 Comes in Olive Green (OG). Two types of ammo pouch - left and right. Ammo pouches are internally divided, providing enough space for two magazines per pouch (eight magazines total off two double ammo pouches). Pouches are secured to belt by means of non-adjustable cloth straps and C rings. Version 2 Comes in Olive Green and DPM. One type of ammo pouch, with triangular A rings (See picture). Ammo pouches are internally divided, providing enough space for two magazines per pouch (eight magazines total off two double ammo pouches). Utility pouches have QR clips for yoke attachment. Pouches are secured to belt by means of loops secured by press studs, and C rings or T-Bars Triangular A ring. Yoke front strap goes through top (flat) hole, yoke side straps go through lower (triangular) hole.

Version 3 Available only in DPM. Ammo pouches available in two models - double and single, and hold three, instead of two, magazines. Utility pouches now have A rings and often Quick release clips as well

2293 Squadron First class fieldcraft training

Lesson 1 Handout (A)

How I would advise filling your webbing

3. Left Double Ammunition Pouch Contains up to four or six magazines for L85/L98 and nothing else! 4. Left Utility Pouch Small fist aid kit, packed in a waterproof container Weapon cleaning kit (if appropriate) Wash Kit Suncream Insect Repellent Paracord Spare Boot Laces Gaffa Tape Small Toolkit Spare Batteries for torches, etc 5. Centre Utility Pouch Survival pouch should include: a. Hexamine stove -fill with 6 blocks and two candles, shaved to fit. Stop rattling by packing with tissue paper (emergency tinder) b. Emergency rations chocolate, etc c. Some sort of emergency shelter I use a micro poncho, but a mini vacuum packed bivi-bag or a space blanket will work as well) d. Fire lighting equipment matches, lighter, fire steel. Keep dry! (I pack mine in a small re-sealable plastic bag, along with a sachet of silica gel the stuff you get in shoe boxes) e. Junior Hacksaw blades useful for emergency shelter building (make sure theyre for wood rather than metal) f. More Paracord g. A spare compass h. A freezer bag and puritabs a useful way of collecting emergency water that takes up virtually no space (place the freezer bag inside a sock to use as water carrier) Pack all of this inside a plastic bag, and then place inside a mess tin. 6. Right Utility pouch (you may wish to replace this with a larger ration pouch make sure it is compatible with PLCE webbing) KFS As much food as you can fit in 7. Right Water bottle Pouch Water bottle and mug or hydration reservoir, and brew kit, plus snacks if there is any available space 9. Small Pouch Can be used to carry small radio, or binoculars 10. FFD Pouch A First Field Dressing packet (sealed) The last items (Radio pouch and FFD) are NOT standard PLCE webbing; these are third party add-ons, and you should be able to get them from most good Army Surplus stores. 2

2293 Squadron First class fieldcraft training

Lesson 1 Handout (A)

Notes You may have noticed that certain important items (such as mess tins and Hexiburner) are only included in the survival pouch, which has a name that suggests its only used in emergencies. This is because I have found it is very rare that I will cook a meal when I havent got my Bergen or day sacks around, so I keep most of my cooking equipment in there (I keep it in a respirator pouch, which may annoy some more zealous instructors, but is a very good way of keeping it organised). If you are particularly partial to a good brew, you may wish to include a Hexi stove in your brew kit to prevent you having to go into you survival pouch every time you want to brew up away from your Bergen there is a new type of cooker available now that fits on to the bottom of the S95 metal mug, and takes up virtually no space) I have said under the entries for ammunition pouches that they contain ammunition and nothing else they are called ammo pouches for a good reason. If you are not using ammunition on your exercises, you can replace them with utility pouches (look for the ones that have similar attachments to the ammo pouches, i.e. two A rings, so that you can attach your yoke to them) although this may also annoy certain instructors, so you may often find yourself running around with empty ammo pouches. I personally prefer the OG ammunition pouches (preferably the ones with A ring attachments) because they have a divider that stops your magazines rattling, although they can only carry two magazines.