Off Duty, travel - Marine Corps Times

What’s in your pack?

You already know the basics. Everyone carries water, matches and MREs in their rucksacks. But what about the less obvious — but just as important — items that soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen pack to help carry them through a tough journey? We asked readers to give us some pointers on gearing up, keeping safe and staying sane while miles away from camp and comfort. The best entry has been awarded this brand-spanking-new CamelBak ruck to fill up with the necessities.

Because being prepared requires more than just water and Country Captain Chicken.

Winner: Photo of wife and kids

‘Every time I question why I am here in this country and doing the things that I have to do, I pull this picture out and it reminds me that fighting the insurgency for seven months in Iraq will always be a better choice than having to fight them even for one day in the United States.’

Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Brian Fogarty

Garmah, Iraq

Runner up: Small blue feather

When I went to basic training in 1998, I had never left home before, so I got a little depressed. I was stressed because I wasn’t sure if I had what it took. One day while standing at attention outside the chow hall for what seemed like hours, I was thinking of home and what my family would think if I gave up. At that moment, a small blue feather floated down to my feet. I don’t know where it came from, but the feather made me swell with Air Force pride. It was blue and it came from a bird, a symbol of freedom. It was then that I found the courage to finish basic training and face the challenges of military service.

I kept the feather in my wallet for years. When my deployments to Iraq came up, I took the feather along as a good-luck charm. In Iraq, though, I forgot where I put it and the feather was lost.

I now serve as a C-17 crew chief maintenance instructor. I bought a black North Face backpack at my first duty assignment. It had tons of cargo room and felt comfortably snug on my back, so I loaded it down with essentials: extra aircraft forms, screws, washers, nuts, bolts and a few bottles of water. The bag served me very well, and I used it through the years. On the flight line, I even used it as my carry-on when I went on leave.

It was old and had to be stitched up more times than I could count, but it served me proudly. Every great thing must come to an end, though, and I sadly had to retire my bag about two months ago after the dry rot got so bad it tore a hole through it.

The best part of the story is that when my bag tore, I found something that I thought was lost forever: that old blue feather.

I now keep the feather in a plastic case, but I still haven’t replaced my pack (boy, they’ve gotten expensive.)

So the most important thing I carry is that blue feather — my inspiration to spread my wings and serve my country.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Gene Reaves

Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

American flag

‘The most important thing in my pack is an American flag. From small to large, depending on the trip and how big of a backpack I am carrying, I always have an American flag with me.’

Chief Yeoman Lance Flake

Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev.

Baby wipes and Winterfresh gum

‘I can’t go out without bringing baby wipes and a new pack of Winterfresh gum for those times you can’t always brush your teeth. Plus, the gum is good for [a positive mental attitude] for the rest of my team!’

Marine Cpl. Zachary Wilson

1st Radio Battalion, Reconnaissance Platoon

Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Video iPod and waterproof notebook

On the iPod: ‘You’ll never get an in-flight movie from any airline with a name beginning with HMH, HMM or VMGR.’

On the notebook: ‘If you forget it, you’ll need it. If you bring it, you won’t!’

Marine Staff Sgt. Matthew P. Shelato

1st Marine Logistics Group

Taqaddum, Iraq

Batteries

‘It’s not a good thing when your batteries go dead and you don’t have extra.’

Army 1st Sgt. Mark L. Rackley

Trail mix

‘Every time I go out, I make sure I have the correct equipment to handle any situation. My bag is checked and rechecked no matter how long of a trip I take. Included is trail mix and other easily portable food.’

Airman 1st Class Joel Vail Air Force Academy, 10th Medical Group, Colorado Springs, Colo.

WWE action figures

‘My son’s favorite wrestlers! When the going gets tough, I look at them and remember why I do what I do and reflect on my memories of him being happy.’

Army Staff Sgt. Marsha V. Marcano

Night battle noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 507th Corps Support Group

Maxim magazine

Army Staff Sgt. Washington Gardner

Great for motivation or to kill time.

Flint and steel, and water purification tablets

‘First and foremost for me are fire starting items. ... I also carry water purification tablets and a spare water bottle.’

Air Force 2nd Lt. Jared Hostetler

Cash

‘I would recommend having cash because in emergencies, most banks and ATMs are closed.’

Army Sgt. Wilmer Apolo

Warrior Transition Unit

Carabiners

‘My pack has become an extension of who I am and what I stand for. People see me with my pack in [Army Combat Uniform] pattern and know I am a soldier.’

Air Force 1st Lt. David Lankford

Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York