The heavy loads shouldered over months of duty contribute to the chronic pain suffered by soldiers like Spc. Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan routinely carry between 60 and 100 pounds of gear including body armor, weapons and batteries. Ronald Craig (right) and fellow soldiers of the 3rd Platoon, Combat Company, 1-32 Infantry, return from a two-week patrol in Afghanistan.Ĭourtesy of U.S.
