[ilovesarah2012]

Perhaps “survival kit”?

[pfflier]

I don't think so in that context. Kit is a typically British term for what every American calls gear. Also, no standard infantry load involves a "survival kit".

Some posters have ventured that joint operations with troops from the UK may have introduced British slang into the narrative. It's possible but my experience is that Americans don't change readily.

I worked with UK troops and never referred to the hood of a truck as a "bonnet". Come to think of it, I never called the truck a "lorrie" either.