Packing List (Part Two)
“LINE 92-93: Trousers, Coat (IHWCU)”
Having extra uniforms is always good, especially during the lightweight IHWCUs for during the summer months.
If you’re enlisted, you will get issued two brand new uniforms at CIF during RAP week. Most people won’t use them during the course, and will save them to have as new sets for after graduation.
“LINE 94: Alcohol Markers (Blk/Blue/Red/Grn)”
See LINE 76 in “Packing List (Part One)"
“LINE 95: Alcohol Eraser”
See LINE 76 in “Packing List (Part One)”
“LINE 96: Chemlights (Green, Blue, IR) no red”
The reason for no red is because red is for emergency use by the cadre only.
Green and blue you can pack, but you will be able to request those through supply during the planning phase of each FTX. So honestly it’s not super important to have.
What IS super important to have are IR chemlights. They are pricier to buy, so if you can raid some from your unit supply cage get as much as you can. These are super helpful when conducting the leader’s recon during an ambush or reconnaissance mission. The last thing you want is getting turned around or lost, and the IR chem when used properly will prevent that from happening (See “Make Life Easier”).
“LINE 97: Finger / toe nail clippers”
If you chew your nails, you won’t anymore at Ranger School I’ll tell you that much.
“LINE 98: Foot powder (anti-fungal, not containing menthol)”
No need to splurge on a bunch of your own foot powder. The medics during RAP week and all phases of Ranger School will have an abundant supply to give out for free.
“LINE 99: Large Trash Bags”
I highly advise not to go cheap on your trash bags. You want to purchase 42 gallon contractor bags. The thicker the better too (3 MIL is best). Thin trash bags will rip the second you try and stuff anything tightly into your ruck sack.
It’s going to be crucial to keep your stuff dry and water proofed, especially when your chest deep in the swamps during Florida Phase. 3 MIL contractor bags are the most reliable.
“LINE 100: Lip Balm”
You might be that one guy that does not believe in men using lip balm. Just realize your body will have had no sleep and minimal nutrition, making it less resilient and much slower in healing simple scrapes, scratches, and cracks. So when it’s cold and shitty outside, and your mouth looks like a crime scene, do yourself that solid and have some just in case.
“LINE 101: Pocket knife (folding blade 4” or less)”
A good pocket knife will go a long way during Ranger School. Solely relying on the knife feature of a Gerber is a mistake. It’s too small and way too slow to pull out when you’re in a pinch.
Do not pack something expensive like a Benchmade knife. The chances of it getting damaged or lost is incredibly high. Any brand of Kershaw pocket knives will do just fine, and for a backup you can go even cheaper with any PX or Walmart brand.
Having a serrated feature on your blade is also extremely helpful as you will be cutting 550 cord throughout the course.
Not everyone will bring a pocket knife to Ranger School (which is mind blowing to me), so if you ever lend it out you need to be Johnny on the spot about getting it back. I had mine tied down to me with 550 cord at all times (see “Make Life Easier - Tie Downs” for an easy way to secure all your stuff).
“LINE 102: Small Mirror”
This will come in handy when shaving in the field, but no RI is really looking that closely to see if you’ve missed a spot on your face.
You can skip this particular optional packing list item and just use the mirror in your camo compact case; see LINE 77 in “Packing List (Part One)”.
“LINE 103: Sunscreen (6-8 fl oz)”
Sunburn really isn’t an issue in Ranger School, even in the summer, unless you burn easily on your scalp. Everyone will have freshly buzzed haircuts when they show up. If your scalp hasn’t seen the light of day since you were a baby, then sunscreen is key.
The paler complexioned dudes during my first RAP week struggled with burnt scalps. A few even had blisters that would begin to leak pus. Very gruesome stuff. At one point this guy’s entire forehead swelled up because of fluid build-up.
“LINE 104: Waterproof Bags (zip lock, small)”
Small does NOT mean those sandwich bags you pack your lunch in. Go with the 1-gallon bags with the actual zip slider on the top.
These will be extremely handy when trying to waterproof smaller items, and separating packing list items within your rucksack. At a minimum you will make yourself one to two “Ranger Purses” (see “Make Life Easier”).
“LINE 105: Baby Wipes: alcohol free and without additives”
You can never have too many baby wipes!!
You will rely on these heavily for hygiene, wiping off camo face paint, and wiping your ass. All things you will frequently do throughout all your FTXs. Do not just rely on stockpiling the singular wipes you will get in your MREs, although that is still a good thing to do.
Always buy the packs with the lids that snap shut. The ones with the resealable sticker flaps will lose its adhesive stick very fast. Dirt and sand will get caught in the adhesive and your wet wipes won’t stay wet or clean for long.
“LINE 106: Drawers Cotton or Polyester, Underwear (white, brown, or green)”
I never wore underwear in Ranger School so I can’t speak much on this packing list item. All I can say is do whatever causes the least amount of chafing.
“LINE 107: Electric Hair Trimmer”
If you already have one of these you should bring it. You will want to be able to buzz your own head in the barracks prior to going on Darby pass. This way you can spend more time relaxing, eating, and buying stuff you need instead of waiting in line at a PX barbershop.
If you don’t have one, you can get some relatively cheap at ay shop/PX. OR you can try and borrow someone else’s at school.
“LINE 108: Gloves, Cold Weather, Civilian Gortex”
This item is “highly recommended” for a reason. If you find yourself in a winter class, you will NEED to protect your hands with good gloves. I recommend finding gloves with a fleece interior. It will fight the cold metal of your M4 as your laying on the ground in the bitter cold.
Having a wool liner is super helpful too. It’s thinner yet still warm for when you’re on the move and don’t want your hands getting too sweaty.
“LINE 109: Gloves, Nomex or Tactical Style (Logo must be subdued or blacked in)”
There are many solid brands out there but I liked using Ironclad gloves the most. They are breathable, durable, and don’t have stupid rubber pads on the backside of the hand like some of the other brands do (when you’re constantly dripping sweat, it’s nice to have something absorbent to wipe your face with that isn’t covered in CLP or dirt).
I highly recommend packing backup pairs of tactical gloves. The vegetation in Darby is unforgiving, and your hands will get absolutely chewed up by thorns if left unprotected. I’ve seen some guys’ hands swell and leak pus because it got so bad. So WEAR YOUR GLOVES out there.
“LINE 110: Gum non energy or caffeine-free”
One of my gravest mistakes during my first attempt at Ranger School was packing mint flavored gum. Do yourself a favor and buy the fruitiest, sweetest gum possible. You’re going to be hungry and that quick hit of sugar is heaven when you’re out there suckin’.
Trident Layers is a great chewing gum with longer lasting flavor. Juicy Fruit is juicy for all of four seconds before it becomes tire rubber- but that’s just me. You pack whatever you prefer to chew. Just make sure you keep them dry at all times.
“LINE 111: Hand Sanitizer with or without alcohol is permitted”
If you’re not the hand sanitizer type of guy, this is still a useful packing list item for the sole purpose of erasing (or “sterilizing”) map markings off of maps and other laminated products.
“LINE 112: Index Cards”
If you plan on taking all your notes in your Rite in the Rain notebook then there’s really no purpose in buying these.
The only reason why you’d need index cards is if you’re an officer and plan on making your own OPORD shell to be laminated and re-used at school. If that’s the case, make sure you buy the big index cards. There’s nothing more time consuming then trying to put thirty odd 2x4 index cards back in order before an OPORD or FRAGORD brief.
“LINE 113: Insect Repellant (non aerosol)”
You will get bit or stung by any and all bugs during Darby phase, especially in the warmer months. That’s why I didn’t shy away from bug repellant with a high deet content. The way I saw it, if it didn’t give your skin a slight burning sensation when you applied it, then it wasn’t doing its job repelling insects.
I used “Army Type Insect Repellant” both times through Ranger School. It’s strong and effective. Probably because it looks like it was made in someone’s garage and didn’t have to undergo any FDA regulations.
“LINE 114: Insoles, Boots (Any Type)”
I personally didn’t use extra insoles like a lot of folks did. Dr. Scholl’s seems to be the most popular brand.
If it’s not something you usually use I would advise against using them for the first time in Ranger School. Remember, use whatever you’re used to training with and you can’t go wrong. Switching the game up on your feet only leads to poor results.
“LINE 115: Lamination Paper”
Lamination paper rolls are bulky and super difficult to pack. They usually end up getting squished into an unusable, crumpled mess anyway.
Lamination paper, however, is still a crucial packing list item. But instead of bringing a huge roll, cut out what you need for laminating your index cards. A good alternative to lamination paper is packing tape. It’s just as sturdy (although it does require a little more work).
PRO TIP: Pre-cut lamination paper to use at Land Nav during RAP week. A soggy map is a worthless map. Same goes for your score sheet. If it just so happens to rain or you sweat through your ziploc bag (because you were too cheap to buy a map case), you are creating more challenges than necessary for you to face.
“LINE 116: Laundry Bag (mesh or green)”
I prefer the mesh because it provides circulation for my wet, dirty items. It’s also lighter to pack and conforms more easily inside the ruck sack.
“LINE 117: Leatherman Type Tool”
Ensure your multi-tool has sturdy pliers.
The Leatherman option has better knife features, but isn’t easy on the hands when it comes to using the pliers.
Gerber multi-tool pliers are better, but that’s about it. All their other features aren’t anything to write home about in my opinion.
There are so many options and variations. There’s just no point splurging on this particular packing list item. If you want, you could rely on other people to borrow their pliers. But that’s completely up to you.
“LINE 118: Letter Writing Material”
PRO TIP: If you plan on writing letters and want to save precious time that could be spent sleeping, pre-stamp and fill out your envelopes with addresses. Leave your return address blank because that will change with each phase. Don’t bother pre-stuffing envelopes with writing paper. You’re going to write your letters in your Rite in the Rain while you’re standing around waiting for the next thing to happen.
“LINE 119: Lighter”
Pack more than one. You will lose these easily unless you have it tied down to you (see “Make Life Easier”).
You will also be burning the ends to your tie-downs throughout the course. You’re going to need more than one.
“LINE 120: Liner, Field Jacket”
This is the comfort item to beat all comfort items. Doesn’t matter if it’s winter or summer, the “smokers jacket” is irreplaceable. If you don’t have one, go to your surplus store and get you one!
This is what it looks like. It’s essentially a woobie (poncho liner) with sleeves. It’s the best.
“LINE 121: Map Case”
If you plan on laminating your map and scorecard like I suggested (see LINE 115), then you can get away with not packing one of these. If you aren’t, then this could save your map and scorecard from turning into a soggy mess.
Buy the map case that’s completely waterproof, not the kind with the plastic cover and a mesh backing. That’s not waterproof at all.
I know it looks super nerdy wearing this thing around your neck. But would you rather look nerdy, or run the risk of losing your map and scorecard? Losing either will automatically NO GO you from the land nav course.
“LINE 122: Moleskin”
Feet checks will happen regularly throughout Ranger School. The medics will provide moleskin upon request, but if you know you blister easy I would definitely pack some of your own.
“LINE 123: Pace Cord”
If you’re doing land nav right, and using attack points from known locations (i.e. intersections, bends in the road, or other reliable terrain features), then you shouldn’t ever be pacing distances more than 300 meters.
Ranger School land nav is essentially a 3x4 grid square course. It’s small and you’re allowed to use the roads.
“LINE 124: Cotton Swabs” (aka Q-tips)
See LINE 44
“LINE 125: Skin care lotion”
I’m not entirely sure how this is any different from LINE 66, but see LINE 66 in “Packing List (Part One)”.
“LINE 126: Status Card”
I have no idea what this is. If it’s referring to your casualty feeder card, then that will be provided to you prior to your FTX.
“LINE 127: Terrain Model Kit (small)”
If you’re not an officer I wouldn’t waste much time on this item. Your squad in Darby is going to consolidate or just choose the best TMK to use during practice patrols.
If you are an officer and want a solid TMK to use for your graded patrols, then don’t waste your money on the crap they sell at Ranger Joe’s or Amazon. See “Terrain Model Kit” for all your TMK needs.
“LINE 128: Waterproof Matches”
This is a pointless packing list item. There are matches in each and every MRE you get.
“LINE 129: Whetstone”
If you know how to use one, then sure, bring it. Otherwise don’t worry about it. Your knife will get dull eventually, but it’ll still cut things.
PRO TIP: Don’t use your pocket knife to dig in the dirt or cut MRE boxes. It will dull the hell out of your straight and serrated blades. If you must cut an MRE box, use scissors (not on the packing list but definitely worth bringing if you’re big into making products).
“LINE 130: Wrist Compass”
Just use your regular compass. The wrist compass is super inaccurate and only serves as a silly wristwatch accessory. Save your money and leave this item off your packing list.