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| Staff Sgt. Gary Bruce Takes aim at a Passing Convoy during a small arms ambush exercise for the Combat Support Training Exercise-91 (ca 2012) photograph by Spc. Andrew Orillion |
More then likely, you and I will die peacefully in our beds, and all that military gear, load bearing equipment (LBE), rucksacks, rifles, military manuals, and ... is less important then being financially prepared with a balanced set of preps.
So why am I writing this article? I might be wrong, and this is what I'm interested in, for now.
So lets get started.
As a prepper/survivalist you and your family may have to take up arms to protect yourselves and your community, so you will need basic military skills.
The first skill I going to write about is rigging your gear.
Now, I will be writing about rigging a set of LBE (Load Bearing Equipment); however you can use these techniques with any gear, just not military equipment.
The first thing you want to do is gather your gear and the supplies you are going to need. For this article (your kit might be different) you will need
- - Gear - -
2 - ammunition pouches2 - canteen covers
2 - canteens
1 - canteen cup
1 - pistol belt
1 - first-aid pouch
1 - "Y" or "H" harness
1 - butt pack
- - Supplies - -
1 - "Sharp" knife1 - 550 cord or similar cord
1 - lighter or matches
1 - pair of pliers
Next, you are going to have to make a decision. The decision is whether to remove the metal buckles and clips on your gear or leave them in place. This is your choice.
Me, a former infantryman.
I would remove the metal buckles and clips. In my experience, they dig into your skin, come unbuckled or unclipped at inopportune times, and make noise that can attract unwanted attention.
Note:
Don't let me pressure you into doing this because it's your gear and it (your gear) will work with the buckles and clips intact.
To remove the clips is simple. All you do is open the clips and pull them out. The buckles are a little harder. You will need to take the pliers and bend the buckles to undo them from the straps.
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| I broke the hook off before spreading the "ears" apart to remove the metal buckle |
Once all the buckles and clips have been take off, we are going to attach all of the gear to the pistol belt.
So, first, you put the pistol belt on and adjust it to your waist size.
Be Warned:
There are two sizes of pistol belt, medium and large. A medium fits up
to a 34 inch waist, and a large fits up to a 44 inch waist so make sure
you have the proper length. Plus, if you're going to wear a plate
carrier or body armour, you need to wear this gear as you adjust the
pistol belt.
Don't worry about those little sliders between the front and end of the belt, yet. We'll be adjusting them latter.
Now, take the pistol belt off and lay it on the table because we are going to attach the ammunition pouches.
Ok folks, because we might have two different methods (buckles/clips and no buckles and clips) I'm going to explain both.
Buckles and Clips
Position the ammunition pouches and clip the ammunition pouches onto the pistol belt then take a 20 inches (50 centimeters) piece of 550 cord and thread the 550 cord through the webbing on the back of the ammunition pouch. Loop the 550 cord around the pistol belt then thread the 550 cord though the ammunition pouch webbing, again this creates a double wrap of 550 cord through and around the pistol belt and ammo pouch. Next, I tie the 550 cord using a square knot and two half hitches. (The two half hitches "hold" the square knot) Lastly, I tie the other side of the ammunition pouch using the same method.
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| You can't see the first of two wraps, but it's there |
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| One side completed. Another side to go |
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| Finished |
Removed Buckles and Clips
Position the ammunition pouches then take a 20 inches (50 centimeters) piece of 550 cord and thread the 550 cord through the webbing on the back of the ammunition pouch. Loop the 550 cord around the pistol belt then thread the 550 cord though the ammunition pouch webbing, again this creates a double wrap of 550 cord through and around the pistol belt and ammo pouch. Next, I tie the 550 cord using a square knot and two half hitches. (The two half hitches "hold" the square knot) Lastly, I tie the other side of the ammunition pouch using 550 cord.
I would like for you to notice the differences between the two methods. One method has the clips, and the other method doesn't.
Now, I know you're wondering why I tie both sides of the ammo pouches even though I have clips.
The reason? The clips may come undone, and the pouch will fall off and get lost, usually when you need them the most. (remember smart cords)
Next, do the other ammunition pouch just like the other.
Next, we're going to do the canteen covers. They are tied the same way as the ammunition pouches. Two loops through the covers and around the pistol belt and tied using a square knot finished with two half hitches.
I would like to take a break and talk to you about placement of the ammo pouches and the canteen covers. The ammunition pouches should be centered on your thighs, about one hand width from the main buckle of the pistol belt. The canteen covers should be about where your back pockets are on your pants.
The breaks over!
Next, you're going to attach the "Y" or "H" harness to the pistol belt. You do it the same way as the ammo pouches and the canteen covers except you're going to double loop through a strap then tie a square knot with two half hitches.
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| An ammunition pouch with no clips or buckles |
The next step is to attach the butt pack. By now you know what I'm going to write.
Two loops through the butt pack and pistol belt tied with a square knot and finished with two half hitches then do the other side the same way.
Lastly, we are going to attach the first-aid pouch. The pouch will be mounted to the "Y" or "H" harness on the non-firing shoulder. So, if you're left-handed, the pouch goes on the right side. If you're right-handed, the first-aid pouch will go on the left side of the harness.
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| The first-aid pouch shown open It is upside down to allow easy removal of first-aid dressing |
Yes, it's tied just like everything else, but the first-aid pouch is tied upside down.
Why?
It's easier to remove the bandage when the pouch is upside down.
Links:
U.S. Calvary - New Issue Pistol Belt
http://www.uscav.com/prod_7684_tabid_548_New+Issue+Pistol+Belt+
Note: U.S. Calvary has extra large belts for a 50 inch waist and an extra-extra large belts for over 50 inch waists.
U.S. Sailing - Square Knot
http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/square_knot.htm
Animated Knots by Grog - How to Tie Scouting Knots
http://www.animatedknots.com/indexscouting.php
PS.
I finally added some pictures.
And
As always there are pictures that don't fit the narrative, so I have posted them below with some explanations
This picture shows the ammunition pouch and "H" harness tied together with it's original buckles but no clips.
Even though I used a square knot and two half-hitches, you can use any
knot that will hold your gear in place. If you are using the clips and
buckles.
Notice the rows of wedding on this plate carrier.
The rows of webbing allow you to attach different pouches to the front
and back of the carrier. You can use either the "old" metal ALICE clips
or the "new" plastic malice clips.
On the left is an ammunition pouch using the "old" style of clips to
attach to your pistol belt. They can still be used on MOLLE gear like
the plate carrier above.
The ammunition pouch on the right uses the "new" style of plastic malice
clips. As far as I know, if you're using "old" ALICE gear, the new
malice clips will only work on the thin nylon strips found on the
rucksack or butt-pack.
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