Okay, here is one surely to start a fire. Load bearing Equipment. What is your Fav, and Why?

SFC Charles S. — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:15:44 -0400

Everyone Has the equipment they used... and the one that they wished they had. Here is your chance to say Why you hated it liked it or would rather have gone with something else.

I want to know what worked and what didn't and WHY. I'm looking to purchase some for my Militia regular carry equipment.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 1 at 2015 6:28 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:28:40 -0400

Wasn't particularly a fan of any of these, wore the first three, never had the opportunity to try out the last two. Of the first three I would have to say the Newer LBV

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 1 at 2015 6:32 PM

SGT James Elphick — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:32:44 -0400

If you had the right stuff (usually had to buy some on your own) the MOLLE rig was pretty good in my opinion. The real problem usually came in how to carry everything else you needed. Did you need an assault pack, a ruck, just your LBE, did your LBE have what you needed to carry everything? If someone could actually get the Coyote Brown kit you have pictured, in it's entirety, I think they would be pretty squared away.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 6:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:34:00 -0400

I think the IOTV and your needed attachments is the way to go. I don't like the New mole vest that goes over it. Put what you need on the IOTV and in the positions you need them to fit your style of movement. Putting another vest over it I think is to combersome and you can't position what you need where you need it. If the IOTV is adjusted correctly to include your shoulders, it is rather comfortable and spreads the weight of the gear through your chest.

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 1 at 2015 6:44 PM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 01 May 2015 18:44:52 -0400

I've only had the post Vietnam LBE, but the Molle stuff looks like it's the best thought out of them all.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made May 1 at 2015 7:31 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 01 May 2015 19:31:32 -0400

I'm not sure which is the best but here's some interesting info. While attending PLDC we were conducting fire team drills. We were practicing reacting to an ambush. We were ambushed, and as I emptied my rifle I fled for cover. I successfully concealed myself and and then slowly reached down to extract a new magazine from my LBV. Then I realized that if I opened my LBV the Velcro would give my position away. At that moment I have never liked Velcro on any ecuipment that holds ammunition. Oh, since I could didn't react the cadre assumed my miles had been activated and pronounced me Kia.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 1 at 2015 8:31 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:31:59 -0400

An M1 Abrams.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made May 1 at 2015 8:37 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:37:51 -0400

I think the MOLLE system is the best system so far. Modular and you can attach it directly to your body armor instead of having to wear a vest or LBE over it.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 1 at 2015 9:55 PM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 01 May 2015 21:55:54 -0400

I'm out of practice, but I have always preferred the M-1956 LBE because it was quiet (canvas instead of nylon on tree branches plus the canvas tabs instead of velcro) and I'm the only guy who prefers ammo pouches which work for 20-round magazines. It's a little heavy (especially when wet), but it was always comfortable and quick to get on or off. It even works fairly well laying on the ground next to you in a defensive position.

But that's just my very opinionated explanation of why I kept my canvas gear all these years, and not the ALICE or anything later.

EDIT: This isn't my gear (mine's still in the bottom of a footlocker), but it looks close to the way I had mine rigged when I was using it. And I thought illustrating the varied ammo-pouch design from the M-1956 through post-Vietnam ALICE might be informative.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made May 1 at 2015 10:38 PM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Fri, 01 May 2015 22:38:17 -0400

Da steel pot.....you can bathe in it, cook it it, wash your clothes, and even make popcorn in it :-)

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made May 1 at 2015 11:18 PM

SSG Kenneth Lanning — Fri, 01 May 2015 23:18:40 -0400

Pet donkey.

Response by SGM Robin Johnson made May 2 at 2015 1:57 AM

SGM Robin Johnson — Sat, 02 May 2015 01:57:30 -0400

Just wanted to mention that you should probably check the PEO Soldier website and see all the things the Army has spent their time and money developing. With over 450 items in the portfolio, you might find several that fit your needs. The descriptions will tell you what improvements have been made over previous versions and then you can weigh whether these improvements outweigh some of the other factors folks point out. http://www.peosoldier.army.mil

PEO Soldier | The Official Home Page of PEO Soldier

Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier was created by the Army with one primary purpose: to develop the best equipment and field it as quickly as possible so that our Soldiers remain second to none in missions that span the full spectrum of military operations. As recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have vividly demonstrated, getting the right equipment to our military men and women is absolutely critical. By viewing the Soldier as part...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 2:48 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 02:48:44 -0400

The Mankini hands down! It takes the weight off my lower back and puts it on my shoulders for a much better load bearing experience.

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member what says you?

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made May 2 at 2015 5:30 AM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Sat, 02 May 2015 05:30:05 -0400

The bulky MTV vests are too bulky. It made convoy security really sluggish... Even though there are front, back, side plates and an ass,nut, and neck protector it made mobility a huge issue for some jobs.

My favorite piece of equipment would have to be my camelback. Hydrate from old school thermos or canteen sucked.

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made May 2 at 2015 5:32 AM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Sat, 02 May 2015 05:32:30 -0400

Aw crap load bearing equipment lol. I misread it the first time. I guess I could say the molle system is pretty badass

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 2 at 2015 11:03 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 02 May 2015 11:03:11 -0400

Went with the Vietnam Era Canvas ..
I hate to learn new stuff at my age

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 2 at 2015 11:24 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 02 May 2015 11:24:43 -0400

LBV just did not work. It is also important to understand that 200 pounds of light weight equipment is still 200 pounds.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Soldiers-Load-Mobility-Nation/dp/ [login to see]

Amazon.com: The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation (9780686310013): S. L. A. Marshall:...

Amazon.com: The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation (9780686310013): S. L. A. Marshall: Books

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 2 at 2015 1:43 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Sat, 02 May 2015 13:43:10 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 5:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 17:11:53 -0400

A Gerber or MUT

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 3 at 2015 12:51 AM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Sun, 03 May 2015 00:51:40 -0400

I like the Old school LBE way better than the LBV or the Molle those are just too restrictive. The LBE is lighter, rides better on the shoulders, can be taken off quikly, and I find that I was more maneuverable in the LBE. But I guess there you have to look at the terrain you will be in. Scouts Out

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 4 at 2015 9:29 PM

SPC Matt Johnson — Mon, 04 May 2015 21:29:08 -0400

only time the molle sucks is when you have ballistic vest with side pads, shoulder pads, neck pad and crotch pad. Then your range of movement is down to almost nothing. after several several soldiers died as a result of not being able to exit out the vehicle after a roll over crash. They told us we could wear the ballistic vest without the molle gear while riding or driving

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 4:02 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 04:02:22 -0400

The most comfortable and practical I have seen and used is the OCP plate carrier with the TAP (Tactical Assault Panel).

The LBE was great for looking like John Wayne and served it's purpose during its era. Completely useless now.

The LBV was a slight upgrade to the LBE but as others stated, there were issues in mag changes.

I don't waste money on civilian gear. Civilian RACK systems get totally out of control. I see Soldiers with so much shit on their kit if they had to get in the prone and shoot they wouldn't be able to line up their sight picture, much less maintain a stable position. They look super cool though ((sarcasm))

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 5 at 2015 3:15 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:15:17 -0400

My favorite? As customize-able as possible. Everyone needs to keep the med kit in the same place (so other people can find it blind and injured). Ammo mags need to be easy to find, other than that, whatever makes you fast, efficient and capable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 3:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:26:44 -0400

They all serve as a function. I prefer the grenade pouch because not being allowed to ever carry a grenade in combat, the skittles and M&Ms found a new home ;)

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made May 5 at 2015 3:27 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:27:40 -0400

Whatever works and whatever is affordable?

These may be different items at times...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 5 at 2015 3:44 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:44:08 -0400

Chest rigs for me.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 3:45 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:45:46 -0400

They all served there prupose for the era they were made for but if you ask me or any other Soldier who has deployed and worn them for months on in they all suck and are too heavy. But for the purpose they are made for Molle definitely.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 10:58 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:58:22 -0400

Panniers.