The Cost of a Soldier

[dragoon500ly]

This came out on a recent edition of the Army Times, how much it costs to outfit a modern infantryman:

PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device: $3,500.00
Advanced Combat Helmet: $235.00
Helmet Cover, Army Combat Helmet, Universal OCP: $15.27
Ballistic protective eyewear, clear & gray lenses: $38.00
Army Combat Shirt: $101.19
Name tags, unit patches and rank patch: $14.75
Reverse-field US flag replica: $6.45
Ballistic Neck Protection Pad-Nape: $29.00
Close Quarter Combat Multi-Magazine Holder: $28.00
Soldier Plate Carrier System: $355.00
Set of Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts: $1,200.00
Infrared Multi-Function Aiming Light: $1,467.00
M-4 Carbine: $ 1,300.00
Trouser, Fire Resistant, Army COmbat Uniform: $66.17
Knee pads, universal: $29.45
Combat Boots, pair: $168.00
M-4 Improved Buttstock: $294.00
Elbow Pads, Universal Set: $29.45
M-68 Close Combat Optic: $389.00
Combat gloves: $31.40
Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert (set): $742.00
7 5.56mm 30-round magazines: $77.00
MOLLE Rifleman Set, including assault pack, waist pack, hydration system, 3 double magazine pouches, 2 canteen pouches, 2 hand grenade pouches, triple magazine pouch, entrenching tool carrier, flash bang grenade pouch and tactical assault panel: $242.00
MOLLE Field Pack, Large: $220.00
PAS-13(V)1 Light Weight Thermal Sight: $7,100.00
Close Quarter Combat Three-Point Sling: $10.00
Improved First Aid Kit: $66.64
Infrared strobe, small: $18.01
Strap Cutter: $15.00
Weapon light: $300.21

Grand Total: $18,087.99

Wow!

[copeab]

I think a lot can be read into 2/3 the money going to night vision gear.

[dragoon500ly]

Yup! It's been said that the US Army fights better at night than during the day.

[pmulcahy11b]

Yup! It's been said that the US Army fights better at night than during the day.

We used to say that even back when I was in in the 82nd -- "We own the night." And we didn't have as many NODs as they have now.

[Abbott Shaull]

Yeah and where were the elbow and knee pads back in the day...lol Let alone the body armor or the optics. Also back then Molle gear was still in the testing phase. Special Forces, Rangers, 1st Cavalry and other selected units were testing it. We still had the old Y and H harness.

[Rockwolf66]

very impressive list.

Mind if i post it on another forum

[HorseSoldier]

The unfortunate part is that a portion of that stuff is actually junk that any Joe who's serious about kit and functionality has to replace out of their own pocket because the procurement dolts strike out again and again on the best tool for the job.

[dragoon500ly]

very impressive list.

Mind if i post it on another forum

Not a problem, the source is the 28 February 2011 issue of the Army Times.

[dragoon500ly]

Yeah and where were the elbow and knee pads back in the day...lol Let alone the body armor or the optics. Also back then Molle gear was still in the testing phase. Special Forces, Rangers, 1st Cavalry and other selected units were testing it. We still had the old Y and H harness.

Started out with ALICE, then came the LLBLV, the Ranger Vests, those knock offs of Israeli webbing, MOLLE was just coming into service when I medicaled out...And 30 years later, still have 3 duffel bags of TA-50 that have seen more use camping and hunting!

Elbow and kee pads...I still shake my head over those. Didn't have it in the day, didn't need it. Men were Men and Real Men Drank the Blood of Their Enemies in Lou of Lifer Juice!!!!

[dragoon500ly]

Here are some of the latest items from the 2011 Military Budget:

$733 million for the purchase of 100 Stryker NBC-Recon variants...got to get ride of the M-93! Not Purchased Here! Has it occurred to anyone else, that like cockroaches, Strykers are breeding faster than they can be killed off

$14 million for the midlife service extension program for the Stinger MANPADs.

$884 million for the Ground Combat Vehicle, this is the replacement vehicle for the M-113.

$1.4 billion for the CH-47F, purchase of 47 ac.

$1.5 billion for the UH-60M, purchase of 71 ac.

An item of intrest is the decision to purchase 9,212 AN/PPS-26 Detectors. These are designed to detect a human target through up to 8 inches of abode walls or other barriers. Scale of issue is to be one per rifle squad. Hmmmm.

The Army is also planning to spend several millions in R&D to develop a new series of ultra-lightweight rechargable batteries...

[Abbott Shaull]

Here are some of the latest items from the 2011 Military Budget:

$733 million for the purchase of 100 Stryker NBC-Recon variants...got to get ride of the M-93! Not Purchased Here! Has it occurred to anyone else, that like cockroaches, Strykers are breeding faster than they can be killed off

$884 million for the Ground Combat Vehicle, this is the replacement vehicle for the M-113.

$1.4 billion for the CH-47F, purchase of 47 ac.

The Army is also planning to spend several millions in R&D to develop a new series of ultra-lightweight rechargable batteries...

Gee they still making CH-47 thought production was done.

Replacing the M-113 don't think this will happen in our lifetime. One of those things when you build a purpose.

Uhm... Stryker seems to be only the contender in the last 50 years that can replace the M-113 series of family.

Wow they need these batteries since when and they have had the technology to research it since when, and they are now only looking for it to be developed.

[dragoon500ly]

Gee they still making CH-47 thought production was done.

These are supposed to be the first totally new Chinook air frames for the US Army in 20 years....

Replacing the M-113 don't think this will happen in our lifetime. One of those things when you build a purpose.

Who would ever have thought that this day would come. Almost 45 years of M-113 service; almost as good as the ole Sherman!

Wow they need these batteries since when and they have had the technology to research it since when, and they are now only looking for it to be developed.

We've needed lightweight, rechargable batteries for several dozen years now. Guess it took $2.5 million and a year for some thinktank on the ole Parkway to decide that lightweight, rechargable batteries may be a good idea.

[Panther Al]

$884 million for the Ground Combat Vehicle, this is the replacement vehicle for the M-113.

$1.4 billion for the CH-47F, purchase of 47 ac.

$1.5 billion for the UH-60M, purchase of 71 ac.

OK, Question one: Do they have a replacement lined up, or is this research into finding one for the M113
Question two: Does this mean the old adage of if it doens't leak, don't fly in it, will no longer be a indicator of the safety of the Sh!thook
And three, So... these won't get the name of CrashHawk one hopes

[HorseSoldier]

Research on.

The Ground Combat Vehicle program replaced the Future Combat System program, with a replacement for the M113 being its first milestone goal. They haven't got to the prototype stage yet.

[Legbreaker]

Note that lighter, more powerful batteries have been a goal world wide in all fields for, well, forever.
It's not that simple though. You can't just spend a few billion dollars and 3.63 years later have a battery the size of a pocket watch to run your entire house with.
There has been significant improvements though - look at mobile phones (cellulars for those Americans amongst us). 20 years ago you had to carry around a battery pack the size of two house bricks (and twice as heavy) which lasted barely half the day. Now it's quite easy to loose the entire phone in your pocket and the battery can last days.