The Telegraph UK features a recent photo exploration of the "kit" - the gear and clothing - carried by common soldiers for the last 1000 years. I actually don't know a ton about military history...or the military in general... or anything about weapons, but I'm fascinated by the craftsman ship and materials used here, as well as looking at the outdoor survival aspects that the soldiers were prepared for.
There's a complete list of the items displayed here, and the slideshow can be browsed at: