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Pounds for Pain

The Soldier Load

By Master Sgt. Matthew M. McLemore

Soldier Requirements Division, Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate

September 5, 2025

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This lead image for the article shows a photo of the three Soldiers walking down a snow-covered road, with large packs upon their backs. This image is the first in a series of two accompanying the article.

Often tasked with carrying heavier equipment than Soldiers of the past, today’s rifle squad faces unprecedented challenges. While lighter equipment and weapons are highly desirable, evolving threats and emerging capability requirements make achieving this balance complex. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ethan Scofield)

“Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain.”

Soldiers hear the phrase above throughout military training. The maxim reflects a foundational principle in managing Soldier load: Maintaining a balance between lethality, survivability, mobility, and situational awareness is critical to battlefield success. Viewing the rifle squad or Soldier as a system, these components require proper handling for combat effectiveness.

Historically, the Army has prioritized lethality and protection over mobility, leading Soldiers to carry excessive loads. Summarized as “better to have it and not need it,” this approach negatively impacts mobility and situational awareness. Leaders must address Soldier load to improve combat agility and optimize health.

The Importance of Managing Soldier Load

Often tasked with carrying heavier equipment than Soldiers of the past, today’s rifle squad faces unprecedented challenges. While lighter equipment and weapons are highly desirable, evolving threats and emerging capability requirements make achieving this balance complex. Managing Soldier load requires leaders to understand doctrinal recommendations, assess their formations, and implement changes to improve combat effectiveness.

According to ATP 3-21.18, Foot Marches, “Understanding that ounces can add up to pounds and pounds impact performance, commanders ensure the equipment Soldiers carry during the mission is essential and must be carried” (Department of the Army, 2025, p. 3-17). Doctrine emphasizes that Soldier load management is the shared responsibility of commanders and subordinate leaders, ensuring units carry only mission-essential items.

The Two Primary Soldier Loads

Two primary types of Soldier loads exist in doctrine: the fighting load and the approach march load.

Fighting Load: This includes the essential items Soldiers need to maneuver, close with, and destroy enemy forces in direct contact. Doctrinally, the fighting load shouldn’t exceed 30% of a Soldier’s body weight.

Approach Load: This consists of the fighting load plus additional equipment Soldiers can leave at an objective rally point (ORP), such as rucksacks or assault packs.

A vertical photograph shows a Soldier pushing down on a large pack standing on grassy ground. The man’s position leads the viewer’s eye toward the left edge of the photograph. This image is the second in a series of two accompanying the article.

Conduct equipment shakedowns before and after missions to identify redundant or nonessential items. Regularly evaluate whether Soldiers carry unnecessary “creature comforts” or duplicative equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Olivia Bithell)

The approach load should ideally not exceed 45% of a Soldier’s body weight. For example, a nine-Soldier rifle squad with an average body weight of 170 pounds would have individual fighting and approach loads of approximately 55 and 84 pounds, respectively. However, data indicates that approach loads often exceed 1,061 pounds per squad, significantly more than doctrinal recommendations.

Implementing Change Today

Leaders at all levels must address Soldier load challenges in their formations. While achieving doctrinal weight standards may not always be feasible, prioritizing efforts to reduce unnecessary weight is critical.

Key Steps for Leaders:

Assess and Adjust: Conduct equipment shakedowns before and after missions to identify redundant or nonessential items. Regularly evaluate whether Soldiers carry unnecessary “creature comforts” or duplicative equipment.

Cross-Load Effectively: Redistribute gear across the squad to achieve balanced weights based on Soldiers’ body weights and physical capabilities. Ensure Soldiers assigned to positions, such as automatic riflemen, can realistically manage their duties without overburdening.

Leverage Technology: Stay informed about advancements in lightweight body armor, advanced power sources, and high-tech communications systems. Emerging technologies like exoskeletons may offer long-term solutions to lighten the load while enhancing combat effectiveness.

Prioritize Soldier Well-Being: Excessive loads increase the risk of injury and fatigue, which impair cognitive and physical performance. Leaders must prioritize access to nutrition, fitness programs, mental health resources, and opportunities for rest and recovery. Doctrine provides detailed guidance for optimizing Soldier load, including recommendations for march velocity, load placement, packing lists, and body mechanics.

Leaders must educate their formations on this guidance and incorporate it into mission planning. By fostering a culture of load discipline, leaders set the standard for effective resource management.

Conclusion

By adhering to doctrinal guidance, leveraging technology, and prioritizing Soldier well-being, leaders can enhance Soldier load management and ensure their formation’s combat effectiveness.

Such a solution requires an educated, systematic approach by leaders, who share the responsibility to ensure Soldiers carry only equipment essential for mission success. Through thoughtful planning, assessment, and innovation, leaders can address Soldier load challenges and better prepare their squads for the demands of modern warfare.

References

Department of the Army. (2025). Foot Marches (ATP 3-21.18). https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=1031491

 

Master Sgt. Matthew M. McLemore is senior enlisted advisor for the Soldier Requirements Division, Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate (Army Futures Command). He has served in a variety of assignments and leadership positions in the infantry for two decades, ranging from fire team leader to company first sergeant. His current role is to advocate for the Close Combat Force during the capability development and acquisition process of next-generation weapons and equipment. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia.

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