Myke asked: Can you described the reason for each item on your kit?

Well, a lot has been already explained in here and in here. Also I have a little blog that describes the gear I usually carry with me: On Me.

However, this is the current default

Clockwise from left:

• Field Notes. I use this to take notes on the fly during recons. The notepad is simple and lightweight.
• SureFire Pen II. First of all it’s a great pen and one that will last. Second I use this also to break glasses when needed and to pound at things.
• Maratac AAA Flashlight. It’s a small and bright flashlight (80 lumens) powered by a single AAA battery. Most of the time I carry another flashlight, but this one never leaves the pack. Used to see inside servers, tight spots, electrical rooms, etc.
• Leatherman Fuse. Multitool for a multitude of purposes, from cable work to wire cutting. Never leave home without one.
• Zero Tolerance 0350 knife. A workhorse of a tactical knife. It was designed to be a defense weapon but I also use it to cut, pry things open, as a lever, etc. That knife is the toughest I own.
• Several USB mini flashdrives with penetration testing tools, forensic tools, attack tools and exploits. One of them also has BackTrack ready to be booted from it.
• A bluetooth headset. I don’t like them but sometimes I need my hands free and this comes in handy.
• Two Go Tubes with small tools: mini pry bar, bogota lock picking tools, etc.

And of course it all goes inside my GORUCK Echo