Militia members were carrying between 60-80lbs of equipment on Saturday, more visible – and heavily armed – than the US military on the scene

Mistaken for the military: the gear carried by the Charlottesville militia

George Curbelo, state commander of the New York Light Foot militia, described himself as second in command of the militia members who attended the far right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, this past weekend. He detailed for the Guardian the unofficial uniforms and gear used by the militia, which he pointed out was all legal in the US and easily bought online by civilians. Each of the 32 militia members who patrolled in Charlottesville was carrying between 60-80lbs (27-36kg) of equipment on Saturday, he said.

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Curbelo usually favors a baseball cap but said many many militia members choose Kevlar military-style helmets.

Tactical shooting glasses with polarized, toughened lenses, to improve vision and guard against shrapnel and kick-back from shooting action.

Level Three body armour that resists up to a standard 7.62mm bullet fired from an AK-47-type gun.

Battle shirt and pants, in variable military colours and/or camouflage pattern. Favoured brands include 5.11, Condor or ATAC.

Combat boots, such as those marketed by US brand Bates.

Firearms: Curbelo favours a Smith & Wesson AR-15 assault rifle and a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun.

Three spare magazines of 30 rounds each.

Pocket knife, for example, a Gerber folding knife.

Police night-stick style baton.

Personal first-aid kit and tourniquet.

Radio and earpiece, such as Boafeng brand radio.

Cellphone with GPS function.



Personal hydration system, eg Platypus brand water carrier.

Military surplus gas mask and respirator carried in a pouch.

Snack bars in pocket – MET-Rx protein bars.