The Cost of Light Infantry

Warning! This post is not meant as an inflammatory or suggestion to do anything. It is merely to point out that in the Unites States, with few exceptions such as California, an individual can own all the same equipment necessary to act as a light infantryman. Also every item can be purchased over the internet (thats why some items appear more expensive than they should, Amazon sells in bulk). The below list makes up the absolute basic necessities to sustain for 72 hours and fight, with the ability to sustain for much, much longer given a resupply of water, food, and ammunition. I have not included communications equipment, or and sort of signaling capabilities due to too many variables. I understand that an individual cannot just buy a list of equipment and suddenly become a warrior. That requires a lot of training and the fiscal costs for that are not included in this list, though I may do a post that later. Training is by far more important and much more expensive.

On Person
x1 M4 Carbine $950                                               $950
x1 Vortex Strikefire II Red Dot $180                     $180
x1 IOTV with level III soft armor $190                 $190
x2 IV Plates $155                                                   $310
x1 ACH $165                                                          $165
x2 M4 Triple Mag Pouch $20                                 $40
x3 M4 Double Mag Pouch $15                               $45
x7 M4 Magazine $9                                                $63
x2 Grenade Pouch $7                                              $14
x2 1qt Canteen Pouch $15                                       $30
x2 1qt Canteen $8                                                    $16
x1 3L Camelback $40                                              $40
x1 Waist Pouch $20                                                 $20
x1 IFAK $45                                                            $45
x1 Tritium Lensatic Compass $90                           $90
x1 Red Lens Head Lamp $50                                  $50
x1 200rd battlepack 5.56mm $73                             $73
x1 C4T boots (if necessary) $120                             $120
                                                                                SBT $2441
In Assault Pack
 Assault Pack $70                                                  $70
 Poncho Liner $30                                                 $30
 Poncho $45                                                           $45
 Entrenching Tool Pouch $20                                $20
 Entrenching Tool $40                                           $40
 200rd battlepack 5.56mm $73                               $73
 CR2 Lithium Battery 6 pack (For Red Dot) $15   $15
 AA battery 20 pack $10                                        $10
 boot sock 3 pack $10                                            $10
                                                                               SBT$313
In Rucksack
 Rucksack $100                                                      $100
 Sleep System $170                                                $170
 Gen 1 Gortex Parka $80                                        $80
 Cold Weather Bottoms $20                                   $20
 Cold Weather Top $20                                          $20
 Weapon Cleaning Kit $13                                     $13
 Rem Oil $3                                                            $3
 200rd battlepack 5.56mm $73                               $73
 Baby Wipes 4 pack $10                                         $10
 Hand Sanitizer 3 pack $6                                       $6
 boot sock 3 pack $10                                             $10
x2 2qt Canteen with Pouch $17                              $34
 Wool Cold Weather Gloves $4                              $4
 Cool Weather Shooting Gloves $26                      $26
 Tan Tshirt 3 pack $20                                            $20
 Gallon ziploc bags $5                                             $5
 Small Trash bags, 4 gal $7                                     $7
100mph tape $7                                                       $7
100ft 550 Cord $16                                                 $16
Hygiene Kit $73                                                      $73
   Foot Powder $10
   tooth brush $3
   toothpaste $5
   Ibprofuen $9
   Moleskin $6
   Razor $12
   Shaving Cream $15
   Sunscreen $6
   Chapstick  $7
                                                                               SBT $697
                                                                             

x1 Box MRE  $88 (3 broken down in waist pouch, 3 in assault pack, 6 in ruck)

                                                                             Total $3539

$3539 is all it takes to act as a light infantryman for 72 hours, and longer if you have access to logistically resupply. This can be supplemented by additional equipment such as night vison (completely legal), radios, flares and other equipment to make operations easier.

But honestly 3500 dollars is chump change when it comes to buying ammo and targets to train and become proficient with other people. Thats where the real costs are.

"The supreme art of war is to subdue your enemy without fighting." - Sun Tzu