Army Field Manual FM 31-70 (Basic Cold Weather Manual)

203 Pages·2007·8.01 MB·English

by  The United States Army

FM 31-70
D E P A R T M E N T O F T H E A R M Y F I E L D M A N U A L

BASIC
COLD WEATHER
MANUAL

This copy is a reprint which includes
current pages from Change 1.

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FM 31-70
C l
CHANGE HEADQUARTERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
No. 1 WASHINGTON, D.C., /7 December /968
BASIC COLD WEATHER MANUAL
FM 31-70, 12 April 1968, is changed as follows: mately 15° F to –15° F). The term moderately
Page 53, paragraph 3-51 b, In line 16 “(LOW)” is cold is used only as a descriptive term. What is
changed to read “(LAW or Lubricant, Semi- termed as moderately cold to one person, may be
Fluid, MIL--L--46000A(LSA)).” extremely cold to another. The windchill factor
Page 165, paragraph D-2 a. In line 10 “(LOW)” must also be considered, a moderate cold could
is changed to read “(LAW or Lubricant, Semi- change momentarily to extreme cold by the addi-
Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA)).” tion of high winds. Therefore, the commander
Page 166, paragraph D-3a (2). In line 21 “LOW” should use the type loads for planning only and
is changed to read "LAW or Lubricant, Semi-
should adjust them accordingly to fit a given situa-
Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA).”
tion and temperature condition.
Page 166, paragraph D-3 a (3), In lines 3 & 4
wwtsia
“LOW” is changed to read “LAW or Lubricant,
Semi-Fluid, MIL-L-46000A(LSA).”
Page 166, paragraph D-3 b (4). In line 7 “LOW” is J{GJIUGCb IA\73116L 9 00
changed to read “LAW or Lubricant, Semi- flhJqGLeJflLç' 2o\2o 0' s
DLWJLGL2' 20\20 0' 20
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Page 170, paragraph E–2 a. In line 14 “Cap, Cold nabGnqGL 0' 32
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E-3. Type Load
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The loads shown below are type loads which could
be worn during moderately cold weather (approxi-
TAGO 649A—December 340-470 c63—68
1
c. Supplemental Existance Load. The following
0 10 are items of clothing not immediately needed by
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the individual when needed:
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JOF J
By Order of the Secretary of the Army:
W. C. WESTMORELAND,
General, United States Army,
Official: Chief Of Staff.
KENNETH G. WICKHAM,
Major General, United States Army,
The Adjutant General.
Distribution:
To be distributed in accordance with DA Form 12-11 requirements for Basic Cold Weather Manual.
TAGO 649A
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1-1. Purpose and Scope These include, among others, erecting and
striking tents, performing maintenance, con-
a. This manual is designed to prepare the
structing roads, starting and warming engines,
individual soldier and small unit commander
movement of supplies, and hundreds of other
to conduct military operations for extended
small tasks that must be performed while
periods of time under the most severe and
wearing bulky cold weather clothing.
varying cold weather climatic conditions. The
doctrine and techniques in the manual are e. Insofar as possible illustrations used in
applicable in any area that has cold weather this manual reflect Standard A items of cloth-
and snow with their accompanying opera- ing and equipment. However, because of non-
tional problems. Troops properly trained in availability of some items at time of publica-
this doctrine and these techniques will be able tion, some illustrations show Standard B or C
to fight; live; and move in any cold weather items of clothing (para 2-7).
area of the world. f. Measurements in this manual to the ex-
tent practicable, reflect both the Metric and
b. The provisions of SOLOG Agreement 23R,
U.S. systems; however, in some cases figures
Arctic Doctrine are implemented in this
will show only the U.S. system. For ease in
manual.
transposition, meters have been converted to
c. The material contained herein empha- yards on a one for one basis. For more exact
sizes that cold, with its attendant problems
measurements use the conversions shown in
affects military operations but does not pre- appendix H.
vent them. The proper use of authorized equip-
g. Users of this manual are encouraged to
ment and field expedients will, to a major
submit recommendations to improve its clarity
degree, overcome any problems encountered as
or accuracy, Comments should be keyed to the
a result of the cold. It is the commander’s
specific page, paragraph, and line of the text
responsibility to train his men so they can
in which the change is recommended. Reasons
make the environment save military opera-
should be provided for each comment to insure
tions, not hinder them. The material presented
understanding and complete evaluation. Com-
herein is applicable, without modification to
ments should be forwarded direct to Com-
nuclear and nonnuclear warfare, employment
manding General, United States Army, Alaska,
of, and protection from, chemical, biological,
APO Seattle 98749. Originators of proposed
and radiological agents, and internal defense
changes which would constitute a significant
and development operations.
modification of approved Army doctrine may
d. Throughout this manual reference is send an information copy, through command
made to the additional time required to con- channels, to the Commanding General, United
duct various tasks in cold weather operations. States Army Combat Developments Command,
This requirement cannot be overemphasized Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060, to facilitate re-
and must be included in all planning. In addi- view and followup.
tion to the increased amount of time con-
sumed in actual movement, allowance must be 1-2. Relation to Other Manuals
made for other time consuming tasks that are This manual is prepared with the assump-
not present in temperate zone operations. tion that normal individual and basic unit
AGO 8641A 3
training have been completed. The manual beyond the treatment given in this manual on
should be used in conjunction with the basic the operation and maintenance of equipment
field manuals of the arms and services as well during cold weather operations. Appendix A
as FM 31-71and FM 3l-72. Appropriate tech- contains a list of supplementary manuals and
nical manuals contain detailed information references.
AGO 8641A
4
CHAPTER 2
INDIVIDUAL CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
Section 1. GENERAL
2-1. Basis of Issue mal winter conditions, 65 to 70 pounds is the
a. As used in this manual, individual cloth- maximum weight a man can normally wear
ing and equipment are those items issued or and carry and still be effective on reaching his
sold to a soldier for his personal use, and in- destination.
clude certain organizational equipment utilized b. The weight of individual clothing and
by the individual. The basis of issue of cold equipment is covered in appendix E. Com-
weather clothing and equipment may be found manders should give particular attention to
in TA 50-901. Mandatory items of personal additional organizational equipment required
clothing are listed in AR 700–8400–1. for a given operation. Some of the more com-
b. The U.S. Army, through continuous re- mon items are also listed in appendix E. Since
search and development, endeavors to main- the individual soldier’s combat load in cold
tain the best clothing and equipment in the weather operations exceeds that of a temperate
world. When properly fitted and properly util- climate load by more than 20 pounds, these
ized this clothing will provide adequate pro- organizational items (such as binoculars, com-
tection from the elements and will enable passes, radios and batteries, pioneer tools, crew
trained, well disciplined troops to carry out served weapons, etc. ) become major consider-
year-round field operations under cold weather ations and must be included at all levels of
conditions, wherever they may be encountered. planning.
c. To utilize fully the protection afforded by c. In addition to the individual combat load,
the present standard cold weather clothing and another 45 to 55 pounds of clothing and equip-
equipment, it is necessary to understand the ment is required for the protection and com-
principle involved and the correct function of fort of each individual under conditions of ex-
treme cold. Transportation must be provided
each item. This chapter covers basic principles
and provides general guidance on the purpose for this additional load whenever possible.
and use of cold weather clothing and equip- d. The commander must take positive action
ment. to insure that a balance exists between what
the individual is wearing and what he is
2-2. Commander's Responsibilities
required to carry in the way of equipment. He
a. Many factors will influence the command- must also insure that troops dress as lightly
er’s decision as to what items of clothing and as possible consistent with the weather in
equipment his troops should wear or carry. order to reduce the danger of excessive per-
These include the weather, mission at hand, spiring and subsequent chilling. The complete
actual duties to be performed, overall physical cold-wet or cold-dry uniform for the applica-
condition of individuals and their degree of ble environmental conditions must be readily
proficiency. If a movement is involved he must available. A large proportion. of cold weather
consider the distance to be traveled, the casualties results from too few clothes being
method of travel, and how the troops will be available to individuals when a severe change
fed en route, if applicable. If the movement is in the weather occurs. Because of the differ-
on foot, he must bear in mind that under nor- ences in individual metabolism, commanders
AGO 8641A 5
must not be arbitrary in delineating strict muddy and slushy. During these periods troops
uniform requirements, but must allow some should wear clothing which consists of a
personal choice of undergarments. water-repellent, wind-resistant outer layer and
inner layers with sufficient insulation to pro-
2-3. Cold Weather Conditions
vide ample protection in moderately cold
The use of cold weather clothing is affected weather (above 14°F.).
by two types of weather conditions: wet and
b. Dry Conditions. Cold-dry conditions occur
dry. These conditions are amplified by humid-
when average temperatures are lower than
ity coupled with temperature and wind veloc-
14°F. The ground is usually frozen and snow
ity; high humidity (wet conditions), low
is usually dry, in the form of fine crystals.
humidity (dry conditions).
Strong winds cause low temperatures to seem
a. Wet Conditions. Cold-wet conditions occur colder and increase the need for protection of
when temperatures are near freezing and vari- the entire body (windchill) (fig. F-1). During
ations in day and night temperatures cause these periods, troops should have available
alternate freezing and thawing. This freezing additional insulating layers of clothing. This is
and thawing is often accompanied by rain and particularly true when entering static situa-
wet snow, causing the ground to become tions form a period of strenuous exercise.
Section II. CLOTHING
2-4. Purpose of Clothing When heat loss exceeds heat production, the
body uses up the heat stored in its tissues, caus-
a. Protection of Body Against Climatic
ing a rapid drop in body temperature. Exces-
Factors.
sive heat loss can result in shivering. Shivering
(1) If the body is to operate efficiently, it
uses body energy to produce heat which at
must maintain a normal temperature.
least partially offsets the heat loss and slows
The body attempts to adjust itself to
the rate at which the body temperature will
the variable external conditions it
drop. Shivering is an important warning to
encounters. These attempts are evi-
start action to rewarm, either by adding more
denced by the need for more food to
clothing, by exercising, by eating some food,
produce additional heat during colder
or by entering a warm shelter, or by any
weather, by perspiration to increase
combination of these actions. In freezing
removal of heat during hot weather,
temperatures it is as important to remove and
and by the gradual darkening of the
adjust clothing to prevent excessive overheat-
skin as protection against extended
ing as it is to add clothing to prevent heat
exposure to the rays of the sun.
loss.
(2) Proper clothing, correctly worn, will
assist the body in its adjustment to
2-5. Principles of Clothing Design
extreme climatic conditions. The
clothing does this by holding in the Certain principles are involved in the design
body heat, thereby insulating the of adequate cold weather clothing to control
body against the cold outside air. The the loss of heat from the body, to facilitate
problem of protection becomes acute proper ventilation, and to protect the body.
when freezing temperatures are in-
a. Insulation. Any material that resists the
volved. To understand this problem
transmittance of heat is known as an insulating
requires a knowledge of the methods
material. Dry air is an excellent insulator.
by which the body resists the effects
Woolen cloth contains thousands of tiny pock-
of climatic changes.
ets within its fibers. These air pockets trap the
b. Balancing Heat Production and Heat Loss. air warmed by the body and hold it close to the
The body loses heat at variable rates. This heat skin. The principle of trapping air within the
may flow from the body at a rate equal to or fibers or layers of clothing provides the most
greater than the rate at which it is produced. efficient method of insulating the body against
6 AGO 8641A
heat loss. Fur provides warmth in the same air. If this gives too much ventilation, only the
way; warm, still air is trapped in the hair and neck of the garment should be opened to allow
is kept close to the body. warm air to escape without permitting com-
plete circulation.
b. Layer Principle.
(1) Several layers of medium-weight 2-6. Winter Use of Clothing
clothing provide more warmth than a. Basic Principles of Keeping Warm.
one heavy garment, even if the single (1) Keep clothing Clean.
(2)Avoid Overheating.
heavy garment is as thick as the
(3)Wear Clothing Loose and in layers.
combined layers. The effect results
(4) Keep clothing Dry
from the several thick layers of air
(5) Remember C-O-L-D to keep warm
which are trapped between the layers
in winter.
of clothing, rather than one or two
layers of large volume. These layers,
b. Application of Basic Principles.
as well as the minute air pockets
within the fibers, are warmed by the
(1) Keep clothing clean. This is always
body heat.
true from a standpoint of sanitation
(2) The layers of clothing are of different
and comfort: in winter, in addition
design. The winter underwear is most
to these considerations, it is neces-
porous and has many air pockets.
sary for maximum warmth. If clothes
These air pockets trap and hold the
are matted with dirt and grease,
air warmed by the body. To keep the
much of their insulation property is
cold outside air from reaching the
destroyed; the air pockets in the
still inside air that has been warmed
clothes are crushed or filled up and
by the body, the outer garments are
the heat can escape from the body
made of windproof, water-repellent
more readily. Underwear requires the
fabric.
closest attention because it will be-
(3) The layer principle allows maximum
come soiled sooner. If available, light
freedom of action and permits rapid
adjustment of clothing through a cotton underwear may be worn be-
wide range of temperatures and ac- neath winter underwear to absorb
tivities. The addition or removal of body oils and lengthen the time inter-
layers of clothing allows the body to val between necessary washings of
maintain proper body heat balance. these more difficult to clean and dry
garments. Winter underwear (Army
c. Ventilation. Perspiration fills the air-
issue is a 50/50 cotton/wool blend)
spaces of the clothing with moisture laden air
and cushion sole socks (Army issue
and reduces their insulating qualities. As per-
socks are 50 percent wool, 30 percent
spiration evaporates, it cools the body just as
water evaporating from a wet canteen cover nylon, 20 percent cotton) should be
cools the water in the canteen. To combat these washed in lukewarm water, if avail-
effects, cold weather clothing is designed so able. Hot water should not be used
that the neck, waist, hip, sleeve, and ankle because it is injurious to the wool
fastenings can be opened or closed to provide fibers and causes shrinkage. Syn-
ventilation. To control the amount of circula- thetic detergents are more soluble
tion, the body should be regarded as a house than soap in cool water and also pre-
and the openings in the clothing as windows vent hard-water scum, and are there-
of the house. Cool air enters next to the body fore recommended, if available. When
through the openings in the clothing just as outer clothing gets dirty it should be
cool air comes into a house when the windows washed with soap and water. All the
are open. If the windows are opened at opposite soap or detergent must be rinsed out
ends of a room, cross-draft ventilation results. of the clothes, since any left in the
In the same way, if clothing is opened at the clothing will lessen the water-shed-
waist and neck, there is a circulation of fresh ding quality of the clothing. In addi-
tion to destroying much of the nor-
AGO 8641A
7