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Posted: 12/20/2006 2:00:08 PM EDT
What with the upgrade in weapons, 782 gear, and armor I figure the Marine Coprs has to have a new field pack. But then I saw a program about boot camp at PI. The recruits had new 782 gear, but they wore ALICE packs. WTF? Anyone know the real skinny? |
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Don't ever look at Boot gear or SOI, because that crap will never see combat. It is the bare minimum needed to train a BASIC Marine. The were issueing MOLLE gear to select units when I was turning in my gear. They had some crazy looking pack (this was over 6 years ago) then. Not sure if it has changed or not. ETA: Not sure if it's made it to the FMF yet: www.mcnews.info/mcnewsinfo/marines/2005/20053RD/scuttlebutt/newpack.shtml I would almost bet my lunch that "special" units are still running ALICE style Mountain Rucks.  None of the crap they tried to issue me in any of the differnt climates I worked in exceeded the old tried and true Mountain Ruck. It's mothballed in my seabag right now, but rest assured if the SHTF it would be on my back.
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IIRC, I've seen pics of Marines in Iraq with that pack. I've also got a CD full of imaiges form the invasion in '03 where they have every pack imaginable, 3 color DCUs with desert marpat helmets and woodland IBA
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That frigging thing's huge! Looks like a Bergen the Brits hump. As shitty a rep that the ALICE pack has, it still has a huge following, me among them. Tactical Tailor sells all kinds of upgrades for the ALICE pack. My medium pack sports a pair of their packstraps. One of these days I'll send it to them for a few mods. |
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At OCS we were still using canteen belts and H-harnesses (boy was I glad the day we turned that in). But they just started issuing the new ILBE packs at OCS, TBS, and IOC, under the philosophy that they want to familiarize us with the equipment we'll be using in the fleet. It's got a buttload of straps but it is a huge improvement in comfort, volume, and usability over the Alice packs I've used. |
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Yeah, umm. I am at MCAS beaufort S.C. and I have seen recruits with the ILBE and camelbacks. When I went through, about 2 years ago, in MCRD san diego, we used the alice packs and had canteens and web (war) belts. And then in MCT we had the ILBE and web belts, and now in my squadron we have those damn alice packs and canteens, web belts and camelbacks? I dont understand this shit anymore. But for the most part the damn admin guys get the ILBE packs, but for the maintainers that shit dont matter. Pat IYAOYAS |
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Their alot of decent back packs to be had, if I was a marine, I'd go with the SDS Conflict back pack. I have assorted back packs here at the house, even alice back packs, but not long ago I'd got a Conflict back pack, awsome little ole pack. My 2nd choice is the CamelBak back pack. TG |
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at boot camp, i used an alice and basic deuce gear. this was '06 summer. when i was there, some companies used the new ILBE. it was up to the commander's discretion. as ive heard now almost none of the companies at PI use the alice. at SOI, we used the molle vest, the ILBE, and the assault pack for the ILBE. in the fleet, i got a brand new ILBE with the 3 day assault pack, and the included Source hydration pack. when i went to CIF to get my gear, alot of guys were trading in old MOLLE packs for the new sally packs. (we call the ILBEs "Sally" packs. i dont know why.) |
It's not just the grunts that have the ILBE gear. I'm comm reserve and have all the new stuff. It's been out awhile now. |
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