How many bullets does a soldier carry in a war or battle?

Paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne were required to carry 210 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. That’s 7 30-round magazines. One in your weapon, and 6 more in two magazine pouches.

Most that I served with carried an additional magazine pouch with 3 30-round magazines, for a total of 300 rounds.

We also distributed ammunition among your platoon members. So, in addition to your ammo load, you might carry a 60mm mortar round, a few belts of linked 5.56 for the SAW light machine gun, or a belt of 7.62 mm for the machine guns.

The 82nd has a rare requirement that they maintain sustained combat for 3 days without resupply.

Ammunition is like insurance. You don’t carry ammunition for your average engagement, you carry it for the worst case scenario.



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