This was a comprehensive list I came up with for a full "Modern Minuteman" loadout and what it may look like! I believe in a tiered system of managing your loadout depending on the threat level and mission assigned to your group! If you are just running a perimeter patrol of your farm or neighborhood than you may only need a battle belt or LBE and rifle whereas if you're on a 3 day patrol for intelligence gathering purposes than you my need to add a chest rig and operating pack for sustainment and for carrying extra equipment for fulfilling your task!
EDC... This is just your basic everyday carry items like CCW, pocket knife, first aid, light, etc...
1st line... This, for most, will be some sort of belt kit which is designed to support your sidearm and rifle., think of this as your primary work station. So you're looking at 1 to 2 pistol mags, 1-2 rifle mags, TQ, IFAK, defensive knife, and possibly a small general purpose pouch for things like a multitool, headlamp, energy bar, spare cordage, etc...
2nd line... Now comes a chest rig of some sort or even plate carrier (armor), your needs may vary... This can and will supplement your rifle and admin needs. This setup will vary greatly based on your needs. Essentially additional rifle mags, comms, additional TQ, small booboo kit, maps, compass, maybe smoke, sharpie/pen/sm notebook, chem lights, optics, etc...
3rd line... This finishes the tiered setup with some sort of sustainment kit. Usually a pack of varied sizes for carrying food, water, shelter kit, sleep kit, foul weather gear, batteries, socks, more ammo, personal hygiene kit, firearm cleaning kit, camo, etc.... Alot of this is to live out of and to fulfill any mission oriented requirements that you might have.
I put together a list years ago to work from in creating a full "Minuteman" kit of sorts:
Rifle
*AR or AK would be the norm but any 5.56, 5.45, or 7.62 semi auto would be of benefit to any group!
*7 magazines for a total of 210 rounds
-Sidearm
*3 magazines (personal preference for what you carry)
-Extra Ammo
-Weapons mounted light for rifle
-Firearm cleaning kit
-Fixed blade fighting knife
-Folding knife/Multitool
-Tomahawk/Hatchet
*I wouldn’t dismiss the utility of this item, whether as a weapon or tool for creating a shelter or even a creative trap/diversion for the enemy...
-Shovel/Entrenching Tool
*Once again, the utility for creating a fighting position, digging a dakota fire trench, and digging a cat hole...
Armor
*If you plan on getting into a gunfight then I think armor is a must have, I would include a helmet… Head protection can be anything from ballistic protection to a bump helmet, protecting your thinking tool may be one of the most important things you do!-
Battle Belt
*1st line layer with sidearm, mag pouches for both sidearm and rifle, knife, IFAK, flashlight/headlamp, compass, map, water, fire starter, chem sticks, etc….
*Everyones specific needs and layout may differ*
-Chest Rig/Plate Carrier/LBE/Load Bearing Vest…
*2nd line layer with armor, additional mag pouches, comms, and water...
-Day Pack/Sling Bag/Hydration Pack
*There are styles that will attach directly to LBE’s and Chest Rigs or Plate Carriers)
-Operating Pack (30-40 Liters)
*3rd line layer(This would be for extended operations… Worn in place of the hydration carrier or day pack. Room enough for group gear, personal gear, spare ammo, bedroll, stove, rations, water, etc...
*(This pack would vary in size for your use… Most packs in this catagory will have hydration sleeves built in, compression straps for snugging it down if it isn’t filled to capacity, removeable internal frames, MOLLE straps, plus extra compartments for organization… Military surplus is great, plus some private companies specialize in operator style packs such as Eberlestock, Karfu, Hill People, Tactical Tailor, Mystery Ranch, Arcteryx, etc...plus there are many “tactical” styles on the market (Condor, Rothco,, etc..) that will definitely suit these needs!
Communications Equipment
*Multi-band, 2-way radios would be the norm, Baofeng (All around #1), Motorola, etc...
10 Essentials
*1st aid, knife/paracord, map/compass, fire starting equip, water, food, shelter, warm clothes, rain gear, flashlight/headlamp…*(A Minuteman should never be without these 10 items)*
First Aid (IFAK)
*Tourniquet, clotting sponges, Israeli Bandages, chest seals, nasopharyngeal airway, triangular bandage, SAM splint, eye bandages, burn pads, nitrile gloves, tape, saline syringes, antibiotic ointment, blister care/moleskin, aspirin, booboo band aids, suture kit, antihistamine, trauma shears, sharpie, wet wipes, alcohol prep wipes, etc...
*Team Medic will have additional items*
Stove and Fuel
*(Small canister fuel option like the JetBoil series or MSR pocket rocket are quick, quiet, and efficient! Multi fuel options are great for heavy use, 3rd world locations, and extreme cold climates. They will burn everything from white gas to both unleaded and diesel fuel, kerosene and even jet fuel! Options like the MSR XGK are workhorses, just heavy and bulky… Or small emergency stoves like the Esbit and solo stoves that use fuel tablets or natural combustibles are a great lightweight, simple option! Remember, we are not cooking gourmet meals, simply boiling water (maybe even melting snow) for a dehydrated meal or quick coffee and tea!
Water/Water Treatment
*This is obviously your lifesource, 3 liters per day per person is a good rule of thumb...Hydration bladders, collapsable water bottles, Nalgene or Klean Kanteens, take your pick! No excuse not to have water…
*(Filters like the Sawyer mini, lifestraw, or pump style like the Katadyn Hiker or treatment options such as iodine or chlorine tablets
Shelter
*From a basic survival tarp, Bivy sack, space blanket to a hammock to a traditional tent, this choice will vary on season , AO, and mission… Keep in mind, you’re not out to set up a cozy camp and tell ghost stories… Quick setup, quick takedown, low profile and low visibility should certainly be taken into consideration!
Sleeping Bag/Pad
*Poncho liner, Snug sack, fleece/wool blanket, LW sleeping bag, etc… Closed cell foam pad, lg enough to go from you hips to your shoulders. Depends on the season, AO, and mission…
Food
*Energy bars, GORP (trail mix), nuts, jerkey, SPAM, MRE’s, dehydrated meals, etc… Easy to eat on the go items… Avg of 2,000 calories a day is the norm so set yourself up for being able to sustain yourself…
MISCELANEOUS GEAR
-Gear repair kit
-Personal hygeine kit
*TP, Wet wipes, sanitizer, sm pack towel, foot powder, bug repellant, sunscreen, etc…
-Chem sticks
-Flares/Strobes
-Solar Charger
-GPS
-Burner Phone
-Optics
*(I would include Binoculars, Monoculars, NVG’s, Therms, etc in this catagory…)
-Camera
-Protective Eyewear
-Camo Netting
*(For hideaways, sniper veils, encampments, etc…)
-Climbing Rope, Webbing, Carabiners
*(100’ rope & 25’ of webbing for a Swiss Seat and assault line)
-Notebook/Pencil/Sharpie
*(Taking notes while on patrol, sketching enemy camps, details of movements, etc…)
CLOTHING
(This is a full overview of clothing and layers and what the “Modern Minuteman” chooses would be based on the season, AO, and mission requisites)
-Underwear (quick dry)
-Long Underwear (Poly Pro or Merino Wool)
-Pants (This will obviously vary, depending on climate and season)
-Short Sleeve Shirt
-Long Sleeve Shirt
-Insulating layers (such as power stretch fleece tops and bottoms, LW sythetic filled pullovers or jacket, Down jackets/parkas for extreme cold climates/conditions)
-Outerwear (Waterproof/Breathable shell jacket and pants, Soft shell technology is huge today and is almost 100% WP and a lot more breathable than Gore-Tex, plus the fabric is much quieter)
-Socks (Synthetic or wool with optional liners to help with blisters and foot rot)
*I’m a huge supporter of the 3 pairs of sock rule, 1 on your feet, one pair that you just had on, and one pair to change into and you rotate!
-Gloves (Working gloves (tactical shooting gloves) that you can manipulate all your gear with are a huge bonus, plus lightweight liners and warmer gloves/mittens (they make mitts with trigger fingers) for colder conditions)
-Headwear (Wide brimmed Boonie hat, billed cap, Stocking cap or watch cap, and a lightweight balaclava) (helmet is listed above with the gear)
-Footwear (Proper fitting boots are of the utmost importance, choose something with ankle protection but are relatively lightweight! Arch support is a must, remember, your feet are supporting not just your body weight but now an additional 30-50 plus lbs…
Comments