Final answer:
The RTO in 'The Things They Carried' who carried heavy gear and personal items is not explicitly named in the given context, but the narrative explores the burden of soldiers through the items they carry.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the chapter The Things They Carried, the Radio Transmitting Officer (RTO) who carried tangibles like condoms, the PRC-25 radio, a battery for the radio, brass knuckles, and starched tiger fatigues is not explicitly named in the context provided.
However, in Tim O'Brien's work, several characters serve as RTOs throughout the story, with each character burdened by the weighty and essential communication gear alongside personal items that represent their fears, desires, and the pieces of home they hold onto during the Vietnam War.
The story delves into the physical and emotional weight carried by each soldier, reflecting on the idea that what one carries can reveal much about one's identity.