Modern US Army Webgear

[Institutionalized]

Hi, I was wondering what types of webgear the US Army is using now. I am thinking of joining soon so I wanted to know. I also wanted to know how much leeway is given to infantrymen in choosing their gear/webgear. Thanks in advance.

[lt tahoe]

There isn't really a standard across the force. The MOLLE II system is fairly common, but the Eagle RLCS/SFLCS as well as many other systems are out there. Most tend to be MOLLE-compatible these days.

Private purchase of gear typically depends on the unit--some are stricter than others.

[Institutionalized]

Thanks for the reply.

[Danno]

lt tahoe is right on the money there. Some units are standardized down to the exact placement of pouches and tools based on your job within your team. Whereas some units don't even require that you look even remotely alike. Most of the time though, you will find that people in a given unit generally have similar gear because most acquisitions are made based on hearsay/ the rantings and ravings of satisfied or dissatisfied customers. If one guy in your unit loves it, and another gets it, and so on and so forth, you see what I mean. MOLLE equipment is very expensive, and most grunts are reluctant to shell out the money to buy their own kit unless they have given it a test drive so to speak.

[dave81]

"Webgear" is obsolete. Everyone wears Interceptor Body Armor now and your choice of options is limited to buying civilian-made ammo pouches or using the issued pouches.

...Unless you're D3LT4. They wear jeans.

[angry cow]

Even with IBA, pouch placement is often standardized per unit SOP.

Makes sense when doing a presence patrol or something, think zebras. If everyone looks the same, its more difficult for a sniper to pick out an individual.

Pretty unpopular to wear load bearing equipment over an IBA, though it would be nice if they designed the next body armor get-up to be a little more load-bearing friendly.

[AUDIEM249]

when i was back in the states everything was done by SOP, but here no one gives a ****! the army for deploying units go through what is called RFI (readiness force initiative), and when they do this each unit and individual soldier gets a big set of useful items including molle vest and pouches. i choose not to where the vest and attach the pouchs directly on to my IBA, a lot easier for those times you are on QRF. also makes it difficult to drop down inside a 1151 turret, but the positives IMO outway the negative. also with the edition of side SAPI (small arms protective insert) for additional plate armor underneath the armpit, the molle webbing allows you to get all the stuff you need on you a little more accesible. got any more questions feel free to ask.

[stuntman]

when i was back in the states everything was done by SOP, but here no one gives a ****! the army for deploying units go through what is called RFI (readiness force initiative), and when they do this each unit and individual soldier gets a big set of useful items including molle vest and pouches. i choose not to where the vest and attach the pouchs directly on to my IBA, a lot easier for those times you are on QRF. also makes it difficult to drop down inside a 1151 turret, but the positives IMO outway the negative. also with the edition of side SAPI (small arms protective insert) for additional plate armor underneath the armpit, the molle webbing allows you to get all the stuff you need on you a little more accesible. got any more questions feel free to ask.

Good post!
I figured because of the new side sapi plates the flc vest was a better choice because of the amount of space the attachment straps take up in the front and back of the vest..

[Sabre]

Even with IBA, pouch placement is often standardized per unit SOP.

Makes sense when doing a presence patrol or something, think zebras. If everyone looks the same, its more difficult for a sniper to pick out an individual.

Best reason for having SOP kit placement is in case of a man down. If you need to use his med kit, his radio, or some of his ammo then you know exactly where it is and don't have to f*** around.

[DnA]

Best reason for having SOP kit placement is in case of a man down. If you need to use his med kit, his radio, or some of his ammo then you know exactly where it is and don't have to f*** around.


Ammo, extra mags are gonna be in his mag pouches

Radio, well your see it on his back/patrol pack or if its a smaller hand held you'd see the antenna pokin out of a pocket on his vest, also can always follow the cord from the headset to the pouch.

First Aid kit would be in the pouch marked with a cross.

[Sabre]

Ammo, extra mags are gonna be in his mag pouches

Radio, well your see it on his back/patrol pack or if its a smaller hand held you'd see the antenna pokin out of a pocket on his vest, also can always follow the cord from the headset to the pouch.

First Aid kit would be in the pouch marked with a cross.

Point is, you shouldn't have to go looking for that little cross.

[SamHamam]

Point is, you shouldn't have to go looking for that little cross.

At night, in the rain when tired and frightened.

[Royal]

At night, in the rain when tired and frightened.

Especially when it's not on the pouch 'cos the guy in question didn't bother to buy a gucci little badge/med pouch (because one isn't issued to him) or even a marker pen...

[SgtMajorBuzz]

Most units do have an SOP, but I found if you can make a legitimate excuse, then you can usually get away with it. For example, I wore my ammo pouches on my left leg strapped to a leg platform and my M9 on my right leg. My argument was, if I had the pouches on my chest, it hindered my movement in and out of the turret.(M2ODS Bradley) I had a full bird give me crap about how it didnt look "uniformed', so I took him on a little ride thru my AO in the gunners seat. After struggling to get out( and damaging my radios in the process) he left me alone.

[angry cow]

Outstanding Sgt Major.

[dave81]

Must be nice...we can't even get our Lieutenants to stand in our guard towers or man the gates for more than 2 minutes to at least get first-hand knowledge of what their own soldiers do for 12 hours a day. F ckers.

[mrf2]

A few units I have been in require the issue IFAK to be placed in the same place for everyone. Anything else is up for grabs.

[BrianT]

Rangers just have a SOP for the med pouch so its easily found by others. And its not exact...it just needs to be on the left side. Some wear it on their Rigger belt or some on the cumberbund part of the plate carrier. The rest they don't give a **** about. Do what you want.

[AUDIEM249]

Rangers just have a SOP for the med pouch so its easily found by others. And its not exact...it just needs to be on the left side. Some wear it on their Rigger belt or some on the cumberbund part of the plate carrier. The rest they don't give a **** about. Do what you want. i think they probably have as SOP that it is opposite to your firing side to compensate for left-handed shooters. that is how we do it, because there is nothing like have come to the high ready quick and having your arms or weapon getting caught up on your gear.
there are positives and negatives to having a bulky pouch on your firing side, positive is it can give you a good place to rest your firing elbow for a more steady sight platform. negative to this is you do not square your body off in order to face your SAPI plates towards the target/target area.

[BrianT]

i think they probably have as SOP that it is opposite to your firing side to compensate for left-handed shooters. that is how we do it, because there is nothing like have come to the high ready quick and having your arms or weapon getting caught up on your gear.
there are positives and negatives to having a bulky pouch on your firing side, positive is it can give you a good place to rest your firing elbow for a more steady sight platform. negative to this is you do not square your body off in order to face your SAPI plates towards the target/target area.
No, it's always on the left. I place a pouch on my right side too...its never gotten in the way.