DRESSED FOR COMBAT

What the typical American soldier wears and carries in the Persian Gulf region. TOTAL COST: $1,452.10 Desert helmet: $103.00 Helmet cover: $2.50 Desert hat: $4.90 Field pack: $35.75 Back frame: $23.85 Shoulder straps: $5.30 Strap pad: $11.30 Sleeping bag: $64.25 Desert coat: $15.48 Suspenders: $6.95 Brown undershirt: $2.40 Parka liner: $11.85 Neckerchief: $4.10 M-16 Rifle: $475.00 Two-part canteen: $5.45 Canteen cover: $8.75 Belt: $6.60 Small arms case: $4.30 First aid case: $3.35 Desert trousers: $14.40 Shorts: $1.50 Night trousers: $19.50 Boots: $33.20 Socks: $1.65 Chemical protective clothing Overgarment: $68.15 Overshoe: $8.70 Gloves: $7.85 Helmet cover: $3.55 Mask: $120.00 Mask hood: $8.60 Atropine kit: $14.00 Detector kit: $49.07 ALSO: Fragmentation vest: $251.50 Body armor cover: $24.65 WEIGHT: The average soldier carries about 40 pounds of gear in the desert.

An M-16 assault rifle weighs 8.8 pounds, the flak vest about the same. A chemical warfare protection system is 5.9 pounds. Add another 5.9 pounds for a helmet and equipment belt. Tack on 12.1 pounds for a backpack with sleeping bag, entrenching tools, several quarts of water in canteens, night clothing and trousers.