It is the minimum combat load you want to carry for any engagement. It’s a baseline you never want to mess with. It’s what all those statistics and tests done by R&D are centered on. If you wonder how much ammunition a soldier carries into battle, it is at least 210 rounds, spread across seven 30 round magazines with an alternating mix of ball and tracer rounds if necessary.

In reality, you carry far more depending on the mission at hand. I personally had an additional three magazines on top of the standard seven. It all comes down to how much extra you are willing to carry around when all of that other gear is piled on. Too much more and you are overburdened. Sticking to the standard might leave you wanting in a prolonged engagement. Mission and fitness can go a long way toward making the decision for you.

Museum-quality gilcee print on thick, durable, matte paper. Digitally signed. Open edition.