Contents of a USSF rucksack on operation

Please note that no two individuals carried the same load and contents varied enormously according to the type
and length of mission, which area of Vietnam they served and also what year they served.   

Mission length without air re-supply was at the most 7 days as this was the maximum fighting/subsistence load
that individuals could carry, in the jungle of Vietnam (about 70lb).

(my collection)

The rucksack shown in the photo above is the CIDG rucksack, locally mass produced in Vietnam for
the Civilian Irregular Defense Group soldiers.
This is a medium size rucksack with 3 outer pockets and map compartment, it is made of water repellant canvass,  has no metal frame, two version are known to me, early type with canvas straps
and the later model with nylon straps (see photo).
This was favored by most SF but the lightweight, the Tropical Ruck
as well as the small RVN two pocket rucksack was also commonly used.

Rucksacks description thanks to Christopher E. McClure, (Cpt, 5th SFGA  8/1968-1/1970)
241 Co., 4th Bn, II Corps Mike Force -

"Could you tell me if you used on operations the US Army Light weight Nylon rucksack/ frame, or the US Army Nylon tropical rucksack or the (two pocket "RVN" "Ranger" rucksack much smaller capacity)."

Neither - we used rucksacks of special design (see photo above), produced for Special Forces and  CIDG use only.  The US Army rucksacks were not very practical.  I had one, but rarely used it.  The VNSF had the other rucks that you describe (I have one of those also, that was given to me by a VNSF Warrant Officer, but I never carried  it in combat - it was a souvenir).

PEASE NOTE, THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE OF THE TYPE OF  EQUIPMENT CARRIED


(my collection)

 

A-113 patrol crossing the Song Re river north of Gia Vuc in 1965
You can clearly see the CIDG rucksacks being worn by all member of the patrol 
as well as the M1/M2 carbine which was the main CIDG weapon in 1965.
From this photo you can see how all American advisors were easy to spot due to the difference in size with the Vietnamese or Montagnards.

I would like to thank the following SF veterans for their help and support:
Cpt V.R Carter A-113 1st Mike Force, 1966,
SSG D. Klehn A-113 Gia Vuc, 1965
Cpt C. E. McClure,  241 Co, 4th Bn, 2nd Mike Force 1969

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