How do other Soldiers use this part of the Large Rucksack?

2017-04-23T23:07:07-04:00

I know this is gonna totally call me out as a REMF. I was going through and organizing my TA-50 and wondered how people use the flap between the lower compartment and the large main one. I can see using 550 Cord to sew the eyelets, but what about the Velcro patch? There are 4 of them, and you can see one in the upper R corner in the photo.

This is a photo looking down through the main pouch.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2017 5:23 AM

2017-04-24T05:23:47-04:00

You zip up these compartments to separate your gear from your sleeping bag. The lower compartment is for you sleeping bag and the upper portion is for your heaver gear, so that it rights higher on you back closer to the shoulder area. There should be a zipper. If you zipper becomes broken they you can use the hook and loops or tie it with 550 cord.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 24 at 2017 8:40 AM

2017-04-24T08:40:44-04:00

Lace it up, or zip it up and now you have two compartments, one medium sized storage accessible from the top, one smaller sized storage accessible from the bottom. Or leave it unlaced and have one larger storage

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Apr 24 at 2017 10:34 AM

2017-04-24T10:34:09-04:00

I zip it up, and use the straps to eliminate that entire section of the ruck, cramming all my stuff into the top section, getting it to ride as high as possible. If it won't all fit, then I use both compartments. Usually I would put the sleep system in the lower section, with the bivy as the outer layer, wrapped in the poncho, and inside a waterproof bag. I'll have a separate waterproof bag for the stuff in the upper section. It's definitely worth carrying two waterproof bags.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2017 11:20 AM

2017-04-24T11:20:11-04:00

I should rephrase. I get that the flaps are there to separate the compartments, and I stuff the lower with my sleep system. I'm more curious about the eye holes (when there is a zipper) and the velcro patches

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Apr 24 at 2017 10:03 PM

2017-04-24T22:03:49-04:00

I used to use the lower for my Mid-sleep system, the top for my field uniforms. actually, if i remember mine came that way from CIF at Drum.