Section V. INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: WINNING IN THE WINTER TECHNIQUES AND

SECTION V

INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

THE COLD WEATHER CLOTHING SYSTEM 1

Leaders should understand the design principles of the military cold weather clothing system. These principles are:

Insulate
Layer
Ventilate

Insulate 2

Insulation allows the creation of a microclimate around the body through which the amount of body heat lost to the environment can be regulated. By varying the amount of insulation, a soldier can regulate the amount of heat lost or retained.

Layer 3

Several layers of clothing provide more insulation and flexibility than one heavy garment, even if the heavy garment is as thick as the combined layers. By adding or removing layers of clothing (insulation), the soldier can regulate the amount of heat lost or retained.

Ventilate 4

Ventilation helps maintain a comfortable microclimate around the body, thereby helping control body temperature. By ventilating, the soldier can release excess heat and minimize sweating which can lower body temperature later as it evaporates.

Making the Principles Work 5

There are four ways to apply the principles in the military cold weather clothing system.

Keep it -- Clean
Avoid -- Overheating
Wear it -- Loose in layers
Keep it -- Dry

Keep clothing clean. Dirt and grease clog the air spaces in clothing and reduce the insulating effect. Dirty clothes are cold clothes.

Avoid overheating. Select the clothing needed to stay comfortable, or even a little cool. Leaders should ensure that their soldiers are not overdressed for the job they are performing.

Wear it loose. All items of the cold weather uniform are sized to allow wearing of the appropriate number of layers; this means, for example, that the field jacket may appear too large when worn without all of the layers designed to fit under it. If the uniform items do not fit loosely, the insulation will be substantially reduced.

Keep it dry. It is vital that all layers of clothing be kept dry because wet clothing conducts heat away from the body, compromising the microclimate around the body and making it difficult to regulate body temperature. Moisture soaks into clothing from two directions; from melting snow and frost that has collected on the outside of the clothing, and from perspiration. Leaders should ensure that soldiers brush snow and frost from clothing before entering heated shelters or vehicles.

EXTENDED COLD WEATHER CLOTHING SYSTEM (ECWCS) 6

The ECWCS is an insulated layering system designed to reduce the cumbersome weight of the current cold weather clothing systems while maintaining adequate environmental protection between 40 F and -60 F. Due to the layering design of this system, the user may add or remove clothing layers to suit conditions and individual preferences. Synthetic fibers and innovative fabric constructions allow moisture, the prime conductor of the cold to the skin, to be removed quickly and efficiently from the system. The ECWCS issue consists of the following:

Layer 1 -- Polypropylene undershirt and drawers, with standard wool socks (two-sock system is preferred with a thin liner sock and a heavier wool outer sock).
Layer 2 -- Bib overall, cold weather shirt and trouser liner.
Layer 3 -- Coat liner and field trousers.
Layer 4 -- Extended cold weather camouflage parka and trousers.
Layer 5 -- Snow camouflage parka and trousers (overwhites).
Standard trigger finger inserts and arctic mittens; standard or Nomex balaclava, standard VB boot. (The Army has recently type-classified a lightweight boot which may be available to the troops by the winter of 1996-1997.)

TIPS ON WEARING AND MAINTAINING CLOTHING 7

Field trouser liners are sometimes substituted for the wool field trousers and function well in a cold, wet environment.

Parka and liner may be substituted for the field coat and liner.

When deciding how to configure the uniform, determine the degree of protection your personnel require, and select the items which best meet those needs. Remember to keep it loose.

When drying wet clothing:

Hang items separately.
Do not place anything too close to a stove.
Do not allow items to be hung directly over a stove.
Do not hang clothes over steaming pots.
Discourage soldiers from placing wet clothing in their sleeping bags. This practice transfers moisture from the clothing to the sleeping bag, which is more difficult to dry than clothing.

When drying damp clothing

Hang damp items on the pack while on the march, weather permitting. If the temperature is below freezing, items will freeze (they still may dry through the process of sublimation if the humidity is low).
Place damp articles close to the body between the innermost layer of clothing and the next layer so body heat can dry the items.
Small, damp items can be placed in the sleeping bag; they'll dry by morning.

When washing clothing is not possible, have soldiers dry-rub and air their clothing.

Do not allow soldiers to wear their boots when warming their feet next to an open fire. Soldiers should remove their boots before warming their feet.

Soldiers should not wear boots in their sleeping bags. However, if the tactical situation dictates that boots should be worn while sleeping, the feet should be dried, foot powder applied, and dry socks should be worn. This should be a last resort since wearing boots while sleeping can be dangerous; it may increase the risk of foot injury from immersion foot or frostbite. While sleeping, soldiers should put their boots in a waterproof bag under the sleeping bag. Dry boots can be placed inside the sleeping bag under the knees or behind the head as a pillow -- they'll be toasty warm in the morning.

COLD WEATHER EQUIPMENT 8

Sleeping Equipment 9

Sleeping equipment consists of a sleeping bag, an insulated sleeping mat, and a waterproof bag. There are two types of sleeping bags.

Type I. This sleeping bag is designed for intermediate cold, for temperatures ranging between 45 F and 10 F. It is made with polyester batting for insulation and weighs 7.5 pounds.
Type II. This bag is designed for extreme cold, temperature range between 10 F and -50 F. Its insulation is made up of waterfowl feathers, down, and polyester batting, weighing 9.5 pounds. Strap it to the outside of the pack as it will use up all the space inside the pack.

Leaders should ensure that their soldiers are issued sleeping bags appropriate for the temperatures you expect to encounter, and that each soldier has a sleeping bag cover.

The insulated sleeping mat has replaced the pneumatic mattress. It provides excellent insulation from cold ground or snow when used with the sleeping bag. It is also useful for sentries and soldiers in ambush positions who must remain prone for extended periods.

Load-carrying Equipment 10

The ALICE pack is available in medium and large sizes. The large size is preferred. In more temperate environments, the method with which a soldier organizes his pack is not of great concern; however, during cold weather operations, commanders should establish a standard pack organization system for all soldiers. The aim is to avoid having to unpack during halts to get to frequently needed items. Here are some suggestions:

Small External Pockets. Use these pockets for small, high energy foods (candy, cereal bars) to be eaten while on the move. They may freeze, but can be consumed. If freezing is undesirable, use the inside pocket of the parka or between layers of clothing.
Large, External Pockets. Use these pockets for rations for morning and evening meals, extra socks, scarf, and spare cap. Use openings behind pocket compartments for skis or other long items.
External Attachment Points. Attach the sleeping mat to the bottom of the pack or under the top flap. Also use the attachment points for other combat items, as required.
Top Flap. Use the top flap for camouflage overwhites and pack cover.
Main Compartment. Pack the sleeping bag in the bottom of the pack. Use the upper half for spare clothes, where they can be easily reached.

Over-snow Movement Equipment 11

Before deciding to use snowshoes or skis, always determine if movement by foot is feasible; in shallow snow (30cm or less) or heavily crusted snow, movement on foot provides better maneuverability with the least expenditure of energy.

Snowshoes. These are made of a white, magnesium frame, laced with nylon-coated steel cable. They are approximately 48" x 12" and weigh 4.8 pounds with bindings. Here are some tips to consider when using snowshoes.

Check bindings for proper adjustment. When properly adjusted, the toe of the boot will extend approximately halfway across the opening in the snowshoe.
The toe strap should be firm, but not so tight that it restricts circulation.
The heel straps should permit minimal side-to-side movement.
Ski poles are very useful in any terrain when moving on snowshoes.

Skis. Standard military skis are approximately 200 cm in length, have a hole in the tip for towing, and a groove in the heel for attaching mohair climbers.

Ski Bindings. Currently, there is no standard ski binding in the military supply system. The old, all terrain (balata) ski binding is no longer in production. Two binding systems have been type-classified. One is Nordic-capable system; the other is a binding capable of both Nordic and Alpine applications.

Ski Poles. The military ski pole consists of a steel shaft with rubber hand grips and baskets, and a leather wrist strap. Poles are available in three lengths: 130, 137, and 147 cms. When fitting the poles, the soldier should stand on the floor and place the pole at his side. It should come to the point of his shoulder (about 1" below the top of the shoulder).

Mohair Ski Climbers. Mohair climbers are attached to the bottom of the skis for added grip when climbing steep slopes. These climbing skins are attached at the tips and tails of the skis and kept in place with a mastic substance on the back of the skins. Using climbing skins eliminates the need for waxes. (Sticks taped to the skis are an easy alternative to climbing skins.)

Ski Waxes. If waxes are used, try red wax for wet snow (above 32 F) and blue for dry snow (below 32 F). Other waxes are available for specific conditions (melt/freeze/old snow).

Miscellaneous Equipment 12

Sunglasses. Tinted, UV-protective sunglasses should always be worn on bright days when the ground is covered with snow. Even on overcast days, when the need for them is less apparent, they should be worn to prevent snow blindness. A snow-blind soldier is a liability to the unit. Leaders should ensure soldiers have sunglasses and require that they be worn.

Protective Masks. Prior to an operation, leaders should make certain their soldiers have cold weather winterization kits for their protective masks.

Canteens.

The plastic canteen, when filled with water, will freeze very quickly in cold weather if it is carried in the standard fabric carrier. Since the canteen cannot be applied directly to a heat source, there is no quick method for thawing it. Whenever possible, the canteen should be carried in one of the interior uniform pockets or wrapped in clothing and placed in the pack. During extreme cold, soldiers should not fill the canteen over two-thirds full to allow for expansion should ice form.
The insulated canteen is a one-quart capacity stainless steel vacuum bottle. It is provided with a cotton duct cover and a stainless steel cup. Although this canteen will help keep water from freezing, it has several deficiencies. First, it is difficult to fill; second, it must be propped up to keep from spilling; and third, it is easily rendered unserviceable. It should not be filled to over two thirds during extreme cold.

Personal Items. Soldiers should carry the following items with them at all times.