thedrifter
03-15-09, 08:49 AM
Army, Marine Corps Hope New Load-carrying Methods Will Decrease Troop Injuries
Sunday, March 15, 2009 :: Staff infoZine
By Alex Hering - The Marine Corps is considering more advanced ways of transporting troops' equipment to reduce the number of troops suffering from bone and muscle stress injuries.
Washington, D.C. - infoZine - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - Assistant Commandant Gen. James F. Amos told a House committee Wednesday about "Big Dog," a robotic quadruped that can carry 300 to 500 pounds of gear.
Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, joined Amos to testify before the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. He said Big Dog and other alternatives might reduce injuries that have contributed to an increase in "non-deployable" men and women.
The number of soldiers who can't be deployed rose from 17,000 or 18,000 to 20,000 over three years . Half have less serious injuries, including those caused by heavy loads. That has led to research in lightweight body armor, lightweight machineguns and lighter food rations.
According to an Army statement, soldiers may carry loads that start at 63 pounds and exceed 130 pounds. Extra protective gear or body armor can weigh 41 pounds. The typical combat load increased from 93 pounds in 2001 to 95.1 pounds in 2009.
The statement cited a study that proved "cumbersome" individual body armor caused pain, reduced performance and increased fatigue. Soldiers carrying 101 pounds for 12.5 miles had a 26 percent decrease in marksmanship.
"We are working very hard to lighten the load," Chiarelli said. "One of the things we are looking at is civilian off-the-shelf solutions."
Big Dog is one of many projects from the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency started in June 2007. A small, remote-control helicopter might deliver loads to soldiers. Another alternative is to use an "organic load-carrying asset," or leaving some gear in soldiers' Humvees or amphibious assault vehicles.
Dr. Pietro Tonino, chief of sports medicine at Loyola University in Chicago, said some untreated injuries can lead to further injury and possibly surgery.
"Even a small weight carried over a long amount of time can make an effect," he said. "Two pounds over the course of a day - carried all day and up hills - could feel like 100 by the end of the day."
Army troops appear to be suffering more musculoskeletal and related injuries than Marines, even though they carry similar loads.
Marine combat gear loads range from 79 pounds to one extreme case of 142 pounds. A typical Marine combat load weighs 90.4 pounds.
A typical Marine carries 7 pounds of ammunition, a protective vest and inserts that weigh about 33 pounds and a hydration system - water and filters - that weighs 7 pounds. Soldiers wear a similar armored suit that weighs 33.2 pounds, a combat helmet with accessories that weighs 6.5 pounds and carry 15 pounds of weapons and ammunition.
"An old military historian (Samuel Lyman) Marshall said the infantryman should never carry more than half his body weight," Amos said. "It is a problem. It's something that we are struggling with. From the serviceman side, there is no slack in effort to capture as much technology that is available to us."
Tonino said the Army may have more injuries due to the duration of deployment. Soldiers typically deploy for 12 to 15 months and are home for up to 12 months. Marines typically rest for 8 to 9 months for every 7 months they are deployed. By October, Marines will have 14 months rest for every 7 months deployed.
Amos said that Marines have not had a significant increase in injuries, but combat load weight reduction research has started. In a statement, Amos said, falls, strains, sprains and musculoskeletal overuse injuries may have been caused by the demands created by wearing protective equipment.
"Some evidence suggests that the weight and bulk of personal protective equipment have been contributing factors in injuries and deaths caused by delays evacuating vehicles underwater or on fire," according to the statement.
Initiatives to reduce the likelihood of injury and load weights include more physical therapists and education. In October, Marines in training began tests that require them to run in boots and camouflage trousers, low crawl and carry loads and simulated casualties - all abilities demanded in combat.
Tonino said the typical injuries pose a different threat to soldiers in combat.
"All of the sudden, he cannot walk because it is too painful, and he can't climb or carry anything," he said. "An average person sitting at home could say, ‘I'm going to go see Dr. Tonino tomorrow,' but the person in the same situation overseas puts himself at risk. He is a sitting duck and places a liability on his squad, himself and the mission at hand. They can't protect themselves or their colleagues."
Ellie
Sunday, March 15, 2009 :: Staff infoZine
By Alex Hering - The Marine Corps is considering more advanced ways of transporting troops' equipment to reduce the number of troops suffering from bone and muscle stress injuries.
Washington, D.C. - infoZine - Scripps Howard Foundation Wire - Assistant Commandant Gen. James F. Amos told a House committee Wednesday about "Big Dog," a robotic quadruped that can carry 300 to 500 pounds of gear.
Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, joined Amos to testify before the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. He said Big Dog and other alternatives might reduce injuries that have contributed to an increase in "non-deployable" men and women.
The number of soldiers who can't be deployed rose from 17,000 or 18,000 to 20,000 over three years . Half have less serious injuries, including those caused by heavy loads. That has led to research in lightweight body armor, lightweight machineguns and lighter food rations.
According to an Army statement, soldiers may carry loads that start at 63 pounds and exceed 130 pounds. Extra protective gear or body armor can weigh 41 pounds. The typical combat load increased from 93 pounds in 2001 to 95.1 pounds in 2009.
The statement cited a study that proved "cumbersome" individual body armor caused pain, reduced performance and increased fatigue. Soldiers carrying 101 pounds for 12.5 miles had a 26 percent decrease in marksmanship.
"We are working very hard to lighten the load," Chiarelli said. "One of the things we are looking at is civilian off-the-shelf solutions."
Big Dog is one of many projects from the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency started in June 2007. A small, remote-control helicopter might deliver loads to soldiers. Another alternative is to use an "organic load-carrying asset," or leaving some gear in soldiers' Humvees or amphibious assault vehicles.
Dr. Pietro Tonino, chief of sports medicine at Loyola University in Chicago, said some untreated injuries can lead to further injury and possibly surgery.
"Even a small weight carried over a long amount of time can make an effect," he said. "Two pounds over the course of a day - carried all day and up hills - could feel like 100 by the end of the day."
Army troops appear to be suffering more musculoskeletal and related injuries than Marines, even though they carry similar loads.
Marine combat gear loads range from 79 pounds to one extreme case of 142 pounds. A typical Marine combat load weighs 90.4 pounds.
A typical Marine carries 7 pounds of ammunition, a protective vest and inserts that weigh about 33 pounds and a hydration system - water and filters - that weighs 7 pounds. Soldiers wear a similar armored suit that weighs 33.2 pounds, a combat helmet with accessories that weighs 6.5 pounds and carry 15 pounds of weapons and ammunition.
"An old military historian (Samuel Lyman) Marshall said the infantryman should never carry more than half his body weight," Amos said. "It is a problem. It's something that we are struggling with. From the serviceman side, there is no slack in effort to capture as much technology that is available to us."
Tonino said the Army may have more injuries due to the duration of deployment. Soldiers typically deploy for 12 to 15 months and are home for up to 12 months. Marines typically rest for 8 to 9 months for every 7 months they are deployed. By October, Marines will have 14 months rest for every 7 months deployed.
Amos said that Marines have not had a significant increase in injuries, but combat load weight reduction research has started. In a statement, Amos said, falls, strains, sprains and musculoskeletal overuse injuries may have been caused by the demands created by wearing protective equipment.
"Some evidence suggests that the weight and bulk of personal protective equipment have been contributing factors in injuries and deaths caused by delays evacuating vehicles underwater or on fire," according to the statement.
Initiatives to reduce the likelihood of injury and load weights include more physical therapists and education. In October, Marines in training began tests that require them to run in boots and camouflage trousers, low crawl and carry loads and simulated casualties - all abilities demanded in combat.
Tonino said the typical injuries pose a different threat to soldiers in combat.
"All of the sudden, he cannot walk because it is too painful, and he can't climb or carry anything," he said. "An average person sitting at home could say, ‘I'm going to go see Dr. Tonino tomorrow,' but the person in the same situation overseas puts himself at risk. He is a sitting duck and places a liability on his squad, himself and the mission at hand. They can't protect themselves or their colleagues."
Ellie