Do you all put the LBV over the top of your IBA? Or just secure the magazine pouches, etc. directly to the IBA ?

2016-03-21T10:40:07-04:00

Response by SFC Stephen King made Mar 21 at 2016 10:42 AM

2016-03-21T10:42:25-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Usually this is based on your SOP. I prefer to have all my gear on my IBA. However, your unit should have a set up they require.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 21 at 2016 10:51 AM

2016-03-21T10:51:45-04:00

Firstly look to your unit for an SOP, next to your PSG for recommendations. No need to reinvent the wheel.
Third, it's highly personalized based on body type/size and needs in your duties.
My Bradley gunners needed IBA on in the vehicle, but there is little room in a turret so the LBV was used so they could "strip" before getting in the vehicle.
I prefer to have all items attached to my IBA. Many experienced, active duty Infantry, Delta, Ranger, SF Service members I had the pleasure of serving with that did not have an armored vehicle role chose not to wear an additional load carrying device.. but preferred the more secure, less noisy, tighter placed item placement directly on the IBA or plate carrier.. I readily admit.. I looked to the operators I worked with closely for suggestions and ideas... I had many months of combat experience, and months of train up.. they had YEARS.. I gleefully stole what worked for them and then modified it as needed to fit my body size and duty needs.

I was lucky in that we had few hard SOP's for the kit.. other than IFAK, markings, tourniquet, number of mags...it was open to a SM to fit the Kit to them...
That does not mean the PSG, 1SG just lets every SM figure it out..it means you teach those SM what right looks like, give them a good starting point and teaching the WHY's of where you suggest the item be placed..so they can apply that performance based need to set up their kit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-03-21T11:01:52-04:00

I recommend keeping your pouches on your FLK, LBV, LBE, TAPS, or rack. There are times when you will wear only your IBA, like in a gun turret or as a driver. While you could still wear your pouches on your IBA, it will be more comfortable in the turret without them. Some units also conduct training excerices without the IBA on, but you still need your rack.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 11:24 AM

2016-03-21T11:24:13-04:00

I'd refer this question to my local leadership. The configuration is intended to have many various options for your leadership to consider based on your mission. We all have preferences but as stated, your SOP will dictate.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 21 at 2016 11:25 AM

2016-03-21T11:25:21-04:00

Personally, I attach them directly. I never liked having an LBV over them. Just one more thing to have to lug around.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 11:41 AM

2016-03-21T11:41:10-04:00

I secure all of my pouches directly to my IoTV. Haven't used my LBV for even one actual military purpose. I've got some pouches on it that are not Army-issue, and I use it for hunting and for fishing tackle. Never needed it, and it's just an extra layer that gets in the way if Doc has to start cutting stuff off. One of those nifty things that my DS taught me and that my old man affirmed was that the LBV has it's uses, but it's not a practical piece of field equipment next to body armor that can carry all of the stuff AND stop Haji's hate. After using it in the field during OSUT, and not ever touching it again for a field problem, I have to say, I agree with them.

Response by CPL David A. made Mar 21 at 2016 11:58 AM

2016-03-21T11:58:12-04:00

why am i being asked to be verified again

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 1:10 PM

2016-03-21T13:10:22-04:00

I always secure everything directly to the IBA. A lot less to deal with this way. Also if you use the LBV over the IBA make sure you adjust it to where the LBV doesn't pull down on your shoulders.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 1:15 PM

2016-03-21T13:15:00-04:00

These are my reasons for choosing a rack over attaching straight to the IBA/plate carrier.

1. The most important thing to me is to be quick. If I get caught up on something (like escaping from a vehicle) I make two snaps and all my equipment is off. This might be from being a gunner, but the snag-risk is serious.

2. The IBA itself is heavy, and making it heavier to put on and take off (for yourself, or for a medic) does not make sense to me. I would rather secure the IBA first, and then attack the rack (that fits like a damn glove if you have the proper gear). Maybe this point of mine, is mute if you are not carrying a lot of gear in general.

3. If you are using more than one weapon system depending on mission, a rack-setup is very convenient. All is prepacked, and good to go. Nobody want's to take pouches on or off ever - so to have two racks setup is the way to go.

4. I am all for cutting weight - and more stuff is usually not the way to go. But a rack (or the LBV) itself, weighs very little. So little it is insignificant compared to all the other equipment you carry. And as for the rack being bulkier, or less secure (or noisy?) - I totally disagree. When you have your rack properly setup - it is tight.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 21 at 2016 2:21 PM

2016-03-21T14:21:07-04:00

I am a Vietnam veteran straight leg grunt circa 1967 and I find some of these posts hilarious as I try to figure out the nomenclature in use nowadays LBV? Load bearing vest? IBA?individual body armour? I remember jungle fatigues,rucksacks and carrying extra M16 magazines in our empty gas mask bags how do you guys carry all that gear?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 2:48 PM

2016-03-21T14:48:33-04:00

I have always been a big fan of "what the Army issues you is good enough". I have been an Infantryman for 29 years. I was attached to 10th SFG during OIF 1, I have workd with a few ODA's that operated in my battle space in Afghanistan when I was a CSM. Those guys wore minimal gear. I saw guys with stuff attached to their IOTVs, I saw guys wear rack systems, I saw guys that didn't even wear vests.

I have seen more Soldiers get "hung up" wearing a rack system than those that attached gear directly to their vest. They get hung up in vehicles, they get hung up in buildings, they get hung up in bushes and orchards. Most "rack guys" put so much shit in their rack they can't get in a good prone position to fire their weapon. If you need more than seven magazines (a couple drums of SAW/7.62), a small admin pouch, and a couple grenade pouches you need to go back to the range. The assault pack/medium ruck was made to carry extra ammo/supplies.

The best piece of equipment these days is the T.A.P.S. It's kind of like a rack system but lays flat across your vest. It has pouches for all your magazines and two radio pouches. It can be attached/detached easily. The bottom line is you want your kit to be like a part of your body. You need a full range of motion and the ability to fire from any position accurately.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 3:50 PM

2016-03-21T15:50:48-04:00

I use the IOTV when body armor is required. Since it has the release it's beneficial to not have a LBV over the top of it due to the snags it would cause. I honestly thought IBA's were phased out.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 9:31 PM

2016-03-21T21:31:17-04:00

I have my stuff attached to my IBA, that way when I have drill/SAD,, someplace besides home station it makes my gear easier to pack, though I have been thinking about using the FLC again since my command likes doing battle drills in FLCs and PCs

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 10:44 PM

2016-03-21T22:44:27-04:00

Over

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Mar 22 at 2016 7:37 AM

2016-03-22T07:37:53-04:00

Directly to IBA

Response by SGT James Puff made Mar 22 at 2016 8:43 AM

2016-03-22T08:43:31-04:00

Keep your punches on whatever load carrying equipment your using. I prefer the rigs from tactical tailor or TAG

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Mar 22 at 2016 9:08 AM

2016-03-22T09:08:32-04:00

Stick'em whereever it suits you best unless proscribed by authority. Had a bunch of unique innovators in my Iraq Marine unit.

Response by Sgt Able Snider made Mar 22 at 2016 9:36 AM

2016-03-22T09:36:16-04:00

I never used the LBV , it seemed unnecessary with the IBV.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 1:14 PM

2016-03-22T13:14:19-04:00

Our unit set them up by standards. However, when In country, each platoon adjusted according to mission essental requirements.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 5:39 PM

2016-03-22T17:39:14-04:00

Our BN has a few SOPs for some gear. I require my squad to have an LBV with their pouches, because we are on vehicles. That way transitioning to the ground is easy and we are not caught up in the vehicle when wearing just our IBA. I keep a few pouches on my IBA, so heading out to the range for a quick fam fire is easy.

Response by SGT Josh Foit made Mar 22 at 2016 8:16 PM

2016-03-22T20:16:26-04:00

I had a rug set up with snaps so I can unhook the rug with my mags and nods on them to lay them next to me on OPs or when in the turret

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Mar 24 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-03-24T12:22:37-04:00

My unit makes us wear both.

Response by SFC Gregory Fite made Mar 25 at 2016 1:25 PM

2016-03-25T13:25:39-04:00

We put ours on the vest after much trial and error with the harness was more efficient and faster to put on and take off

Response by SFC Lawrence McQuiston made Mar 25 at 2016 4:15 PM

2016-03-25T16:15:37-04:00

We had ours however it was comfortable for each soldier with the exception of you medical aid pack. Those were right side lower iba.

Response by SSG Adam Wyatt made Apr 1 at 2016 8:02 AM

2016-04-01T08:02:42-04:00

Stay light, stay fast little brother. Try a plate carrier and rack.