Molle gear vs Old Y or H harness with belt and ruck gear.

[Abbott Shaull]

I think issues with the pack seem to be much larger problem that the people who wanted the switch to the MOLLE gear they were trying to solve before fielding system wide. Budget issue probably kept the R and D on that aspect limited. With the wide spread re-issuing of gear it sounds like the Army and the Marine Corps had been in process of acquiring the gear, but R and D wanted to fix the pack.

I would go to say that because the events of 9-11 and the people who had created the gear who had proclaim the next best thing to the wonder bra and what not. The military had so many other issues with lack of supplies of other important items and they knew it. Having these on hand, and still out of troop hands, when other important item were still far shorter. It sounds like it was push out, just to be able to say they were trying to equip the troops with the best equipment.

It the one thing I have always thought of the MOLLE system, especially SAW gunner set up. Pouches too big in location where laying in the prone would be an issue.

Interesting note it seems when the MOLLE Vest was issue to replace the old ALICE gear that much of the gear such as ammo pouches, canteens weren't issue, the troops used the old ALICE attach to the new vest. So that answer one of my question in that the old butt-pack probably were used too...

[HorseSoldier]

Originally Posted by Abbott Shaull

It the one thing I have always thought of the MOLLE system, especially SAW gunner set up. Pouches too big in location where laying in the prone would be an issue.

The nice thing about MOLLE is the flexibility to reposition pouches where they work for the individual, though with some stuff like belted ammunition or the 40mm rounds mentioned earlier you get more into "least worst" than "best" sometimes.

It is really nice to be able to rework the kit beyond the basic rifleman/SAW gunner/medic whatever sets they issued. Building an ALICE rig suitable for mounted operations in Humvees (especially up armors with all the extras we cram in those vehicles before people even get into them), for instance, is tricky, but its easy with MOLLE.

Interesting note it seems when the MOLLE Vest was issue to replace the old ALICE gear that much of the gear such as ammo pouches, canteens weren't issue, the troops used the old ALICE attach to the new vest. So that answer one of my question in that the old butt-pack probably were used too...

The adaptor panels seemed to be used more in the early days, but there's still stuff issued that is set up for ALICE and doesn't have purpose built MOLLE containers. My current TA-50 in the AK NG includes a two quart canteen and arctic canteens that don't have MOLLE pouches. I use my own vest and pouches, but my guys with the issue stuff are running a mix of ALICE LBVs and MOLLE FLCs. Pre-deployment that would all change but if we ended up in a come as you are kind of war today the guys in my section would be running all sorts of mixed and matched kit.

[perardua]

Here's a related question: Do people have a preference for belt order style webbing or assault vest/chest rig type arrangements?

My personal preference is for webbing, though when wearing Osprey I attached my pouches directly to the vest for ease of carriage. I have several different issue vests, and all of them stay at the back of my locker where they belong.
The overall feeling in the British forces often seems to be that while assault vests are obviously excellent for operating from vehicles and the like, any time you are likely to do any kind of foot operation, the webbing comes straight back out.
Even the PECOC programme that is revamping all our personal equipment and clothing is sticking with a belt webbing system as the primary method of load carrying, although the pouches will be compatible with the body armour system.

[Abbott Shaull]

Yeah, that what I was wondering. The vest seems like making the Mechanized/Motorized units where you have to get in and out a lot more rapidly than before. For ground pounders, it seems the vest is good idea to distribute weight, but seems the old ALICE type gear would be be what many would like to use.

As for the ability to move things around to suit the end-user. It one of those things it depend how anal retentive the Officers and NCOs that in the Command. There are some items I agree that should be kept at the same spot, but on the other hand somethings should be able to move around for the individual comfort.

[jester]

Something else to consider, in the world of T2K supply, resupply and spares would also be worn out, so what you had in the begining of the conflict may not be what you have at the end of the conflict.

[headquarters]

Maybe , in the end , you would only have your mags and maybe a few bits like pers med kit,bayonet etc . ( in a T2K scenario )

A vest with a gazillion pouches might not be needed anymore.

A simple belt with mag pouches on it and maybe a load carry poach would be all that would be needed.

?

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by headquarters

Maybe , in the end , you would only have your mags and maybe a few bits like pers med kit,bayonet etc . ( in a T2K scenario )

A vest with a gazillion pouches might not be needed anymore.

A simple belt with mag pouches on it and maybe a load carry poach would be all that would be needed.

?

Wow you just solve why the old kit would be broken out of what was left of storage that still had all of the ALICE equipment that would of been left over if the MOLLE had made it to the troops in t2k timeline...lol For I am sure it would take quite awhile to remove it from storage places in Europe and Korea... Along with other pre-position sites... Just some thoughts...