How to set up LBE (Part 2)

This video is a slightly modified version of how we used to set up our LBE in 1/509 PIR. "Geronimos" continued to use the old ALICE LBE after the Army made the switch to MOLLE, due to their mission of portraying enemy forces for wargames. Our LBE pouches were set up the same, except no pistol belt pad, and we were issued 3-Day Field Training Packs instead of M1967 Field Combat Packs. (Music: Bill Brown - Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon soundtrack)

[@warlord2pfa]

Good video. Thanks for posting it.

[@hardtrooth1776]

Dude you're video is awesome make more. I haven't seen you in long time.

[@schristi69]

Every leg unit I was in, the first aid/compass pouch went on the shoulder strap. You didn't want it dragging in the dirt when you low crawled. You want the belt down on your hips. Knife got taped to the shoulder strap. If you had time to put that mag back in the pouch, you weren't in a fire fight. 11B, 78-82

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

I'm 64 years of age, a POL troop/veteran (USAF) with zero experience in the combat arms area, but I'm learning all I can about it on my own accord and with the help of others. The ALICE setup is from my era, and I identify with that. And I know it works.

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

ALICE keeps coming back into my life, even though MOLLE lures me into her life, promising to be a better girl for me. But ALICE is a tried and true lady for me.

[@mardisantoso5850]

Nice video...sir

[@dalevodden1359]

The suspenders hook to the belt lug nut

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I'm not going to have the actual GI MREs, but smaller packs of ready to eat foods, coffee bags (like tea bags), Tang, etc (5 days) and keep them in a SAW mag (sustainment) pouch.. In the other SAW pouch I'll have personalized First Aid, and "morale" items (shaving, hygiene, OTC meds, spare AA batteries, etc...). One M-16 3 mag pouch for my Fire kit. Another for cordage, gorilla tape, folding knife, chem light sticks, etc... Since I'm not Airborne, I'll put my Cammenga compass on the shoulder strap like I always did. Will probably put my Handy talkie pouch on the other strap, hang old Ka-bar on my belt. --- Of ALL the channels with videos on the Alice/LC-2 gear load out (there were MANY), yours were the best, hands down !

[@dalevodden1359]

Those compass first aid pouches belong on the shoulder straps of the harness

[@silenthunder85]

If you're a dirty nasty LEG 😜 LOL

[@walterzoomie]

You know your shit. Never had the belt pad. Pretty good idea. I was a pogue (USMCr comm), but the problem I had back in the day (1984-1992) was I had a narrower waist and I couldn't fit all my gear on the belt, so I had to attach the smaller, less-important shit to the butt pack or the ALICE pack. I don't have that narrow waist problem any more! Good vid.

[@gulfrelay2249]

I rangerized a set of LC2. remove all metal except for harness adjusters. use 550 cord for belt adjustment. 550 loops through strap ends. clips stay on pouches of course. belt pad takes care of hot spots re clips.

[@Rokaize]

Gulf Relay you can use 550 to attach the pouches though actually.

[@hardtrooth1776]

Got it square and an overhand

[@ericblades4230]

Good video series, very informative. Thank you

[@reddevilparatrooper]

Love the ALICE LBEs!!!

[@vermontvermont9292]

I still use Alice. Its the best in my opinion . Trying to get the other guys to realize this. But we live in an age of "tacticool" lol. We have almost an identicle kit btw

[@royfromnash3124]

Excellent job! Very informative and interesting

[@tomritter493]

great vid bro and one of the only ones that say tie it in place and the canteen bungee long forgotten stuff thanks SSgt tom r. 7th sf

[@lowcard1]

Thanks for the great video and your service.

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great video. Love the LBE and the Enhanced LBE. I have the larger butt pack and you really pack equipment into it. Thanks for sharing the proper setup info. Keep it up.

[@burzum6man]

Good video. Helped me to better set up my ALICE lbe. When I went in as 11b we already went to MOLLE everything.

[@Dov_ben-Maccabee]

We used to vacu-pac a complete set of underwear and stick them in our cargo pockets (1 set ea. side) - freed up room in the buttpack.. Actually wish there were more pockets all around the old utilities for stuffing odds and ends into - known some to swipe CVC coveralls for winter wear- lots of pockets. Even though it was UA, some guys had big pockets sewn into the backs & sides of their field jackets to stick an extra set of utilities, etc.- just don't wear it for inspection! Didn't mean to stray, just remembered what some of the guys used to do to save space.

[@silenthunder85]

no problem lol; that's what I love to hear-- all the tips/tricks used with issue gear. It's kind of why I made these vids-- lots of civvies have the gear but don't know how to assemble/use it or the tips/tricks to make things easier... thanks for sharing!

[@417survival2]

Excellent video very informative about the LBE system I have exact same system and learned a few things about how to Securemy gear I have The whole Alice set up including medium and large rucksack good dependable gear looking forward to more videos from you keep them, coming.

[@Detman101]

Thanks for the training! Wilco.

[@albmartinez314]

I have to say, its good to finally see someone do a video on a full ALICE gear load out. There aren't that many ALICE gear videos on KZbin. Good video. Look forward to seeing more of them.

[@habenwoldu9834]

Thanks, very nicely put.

[@guyman4234]

very concise, and well done.

[@Ozarkwonderer]

dude this is an awesome vid. i've been looking for this info forever. i've been collecting usgi stuff from surplus stores, flea markets and yard sales for a few years now and using it for my growing bushcraft and hiking hobby. its great stuff. its tough cheap and does what its suppose to with out the stupid gimmicky crap that typically comes with yuppy commercial products. figuring out how to get it work can bee a trick so its cool to get tips on how to get the best performance out of it thanks.

[@MrMrGAsMASK]

Thanks. You k been looking for a rig that light weight for hunting.

[@ppspsd]

Very cool ! Good information ! Thanks for posting !

[@albmartinez314]

Well I have to say that after watching your video, I got a belt pad for my gear and it makes it feel more squared away now that the belt does not feel so loose. Also, I started using SAW pouches as general purpose pouches. They may take up some space, but you can carry a decent amount of equipment.

[@albmartinez314]

Also ditched the USGI buttpack for an SOE buttpack.

[@silenthunder85]

i like the SAW pouches too; I currently have them on the sides of my ruck, above my E-tool & 2-quart, kinda like sustainment pouches on the MOLLE pack.. very handy items.. and yeah belt pad is awesome

[@albmartinez314]

***** Yeah. When I don't keep the SAW pouch on my LBE, I will put it on my ruck or my assault pack, depending on what it is that I am doing.

[@WaistlandSurvival]

A good way to set up my Alice rig, great video

[@johngalt6929]

Very informative video!

[@unclejack123]

Excellent presentation ......... TFYS .........................JRW - USMC '63-'67

[@kennedya.3527]

Great vids man. Especially where to actually set the belt up at.

[@dalevodden1359]

Now if you could find one get it with the grab handles a lot better those wire handles are BS

[@gabewoolsey507]

hey +silenthunder85 you should do more videos on how to move with the gear properly and patroling tactics

[@gulfrelay2249]

gabe woolsey check out Brent 0331.

[@gabewoolsey507]

ok, i have and he teaches everything you need to know thank you

[@Manaritzis88]

the alice system is the best and most stabil materials

[@WaistlandSurvival]

This is awesome, very informative, looking for s

[@kc9pxz]

enjoyed both part one and two. good vids look forward to my on your channel man

[@cameronblaze92]

Good info man keep them up.

[@docback63]

So did you, and others, carry the butt pack when you were active duty airborne? I thought the Army dropped those really during Vietnam, I know when the nylon version, the M-67 buttpack was introduced the Army didn't want them but the Marines did, that was in the late 60s early 70s...

[@silenthunder85]

We had the 3 Day Field Training Pack, but the set up was the same

[@hardtrooth1776]

What typ of knot do you use when tying down gear to lbe

[@jbenn4379]

What type of belt pad is that? Where can you purchase one. Awesome vid. Always informative.

[@scotthammond3273]

Good video!

[@eipi5173]

stove WILL fit any canteen

[@silenthunder85]

Ei Pi yes; I found that out only after I made the video lol.. I had always heard it wouldn't fit, but eventually found an old school canteen cup and was surprised. Thanks for reminding me/pointing it out-- I'll annotate the video accordingly!

[@eipi5173]

***** i.d just mention it in comments...now i feel gulity about causing you to work on it :P

[@silenthunder85]

Ei Pi lol it's already done; no worries! :P

[@guglegulag]

Great vid! thanks!!!

[@cheesepuff7814]

Hey silent thunder, any chance you would show us a more comprehensive setup of alice gear with pistol mag pouches and extra rifle mag pouches? Would you use paracord to help distribute the extra weight evenly across the belt and suspenders?

[@robertcoronado4207]

Hey man this was great info and I used it all to set up my LBE. I have also got an Alice ELBV now, not the MOLLE set up, and would like to know if you could make one of these for that.

[@silenthunder85]

Robert Coronado thank you-- and yeah I've been meaning to do that for quite sometime; just been really busy and I moved earlier this year, so now I need to dig through my storage unit and see where I put all my gear lol.. but will let you know as soon as I do!

[@robertcoronado4207]

Cool man I look forward to the info. and just for my clarification, both of these systems are used in conjunction with an ALICE pack?? I have ascertained a large one.

[@silenthunder85]

Robert Coronado yes that'd be correct. The LBV/ELBV came after ALICE as part of a system called IIFS, but there was plenty of ALICE in the supply chain, so the Army used what was on hand. MOLLE came out pre-9/11 but wasn't in large supply at the time, hence why we saw lots of ALICE/LBE and LBV used in early Afghan/Iraq. I was active duty 2004-2008 and we used a bit of everything; it was common to see lots of mix/match issue gear, and then some guys would go buy specialty stuff like Tactical Tailor or Blackhawk. My own experience was mostly LBE & large ALICE ruck; we didn't get much MOLLE gear until 2007. Sorry for all the abbreviations lol the military loves them-- but some Google searches will help. The evolution is as follows: ALICE (1970's - 2010's)>>> IIFS (late 80's/early 90's - 2010's)>>> MOLLE (late 90's/early 2000's - present). MOLLE is the only stuff that's supposed to be issued currently, but every now & then you still see some ALICE or IIFS in use with rear echelon units or college ROTC units.

[@vasilikitanidoy2428]

excellent video, but one complain my friend: you should tight the pistol belt more, cause if you jump or run , the whole gear will go up and down like a ball...

[@raymondhollingsworth3643]

Unit SOP from the 80's early 90's was the LBE was kept loose to allow freedom of movement. There were standards set by higher headquarters but down at the lower echelons Companies and even platoons had there own setup and enforced standards.

[@gulfrelay2249]

Raymond Hollingsworth loose makes access to canteens easier, but not too loose. good fit is ability to stick your hand between belt and body. when gear is loaded, everything should hang level with the belt unhooked.

[@dawsonharris2357]

Are the y suspenders better than the H suspenders?

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@Dawson, from my now "civilian" point of view, it's a matter of personal preference/comfort. I've seen some people hang a smaller than the butt pack pouch on the straps on top of the butt/training pack. I think the reason for the official change to the "Y" harness had something to do with easier wear over body armor.

[@Skyfall-sv8df]

What is your opinion of the M9 bayonet? Great video, thanks.

[@taxtrograve707]

I'm trying to find the holster fly extender on the internet. I'm not exactly sure what I am looking for, couldn't see a good angle on your rig.

[@silenthunder85]

it's in Part 1

[@albmartinez314]

Also what do you think about aftermarket ALICE gear pouches? I know some companies like LBT, Original SOE, and Blackhawk and I think Eagle Industries too made some ALICE pouches a long time ago.

[@vermontvermont9292]

You done making videos?

[@Manaritzis88]

00:28 A GOOD TIP FROM MY ARMY CAPTAIN IN GREEK ARMY IS TO PUT TOOTH CREAM IN THAT BOTTLE WITH WATHER SHAKE GOOD AND LET IT IN 1 DAY THEN THE WHOLE PLASTIC FLAVOR IS GONE! ;-)

[@albmartinez314]

Is it fine is you attach one of the belt clips on the canteen to the buttpack and the other one on the belt when attaching your canteen?

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

No. The canteen is clipped to the belt entirely, close to the field pack.

[@WaistlandSurvival]

By the way do you think woodland camo is a good camo, can't decide

[@jerrieramey948]

hey silentthunder85 whats the patton behind ur belt

[@silenthunder85]

pattern? or the pad? my pistol belt pad is Blackhawk brand; the buttpack is a Spec Ops brand S.O.B. in Woodland pattern

[@jerrieramey948]

thanks

[@cattledog901]

***** What do you think of the Spec Ops Buttpack? I am considering buying one here to replace my ALICE one.

[@silenthunder85]

THEKINGOFMETROPOLIS love it... I was thinking of doing a review, but I don't think they make them any more-- they aren't on the website anyway. It was one of the first things I bought as a new Private 11 years ago lol. Main pocket; 2 side pockets; large metal D-rings; all pockets have zippers/zipper pulls, and main pocket has a yellow lining (vinyl, I think) which helps you find/identify things in low-light due to the contrast. It's pretty roomy; I managed to cram my poncho, poncho liner, 4 bungee cords, flashlight, fire kit, and weapons cleaning kit in the main pocket & still have room for an MRE. In the side pockets I have (in ziplock bags) an extra brown t-shirt, 2 pairs socks, Gerber/Leatherman and a set of the black lightweight long-johns (top & bottom)... and I'm sure I could still cram more stuff into it if I had to; I should add some 550 cord now that I think about it lol... but yeah, definitely a good buy!

[@cattledog901]

***** I just picked up a slightly used one at my surplus store for $25, cant beat that! Thanks for the recommendation. A review of what you pack and how you pack it would be really helpful if you ever got a chance man.

[@WaistlandSurvival]

Come on man get some more gear vids!!

[@BillyBOB-sm3rl]

Not bad yard dart. I like the canvas butt packs and the H style suspenders, they spread the weight a little better. I have never seen that wet weather bag so I must get one. Do you have a link? I always had two cups and two stoves, one marked shaving. I like to keep things separate. The one great debate is does the suspenders get attached to the pistol belt and you use 550 cord or does CIF gives you the special attachment straps? I have seen them in old FMs and that is what that little hole in the buckle on the suspenders is for. A lot of people think is to help dump your gear in a SHITF situation, its' not. I like your video, ie the exstender(?), I was issued one at Ft. Polk and a large ruck. And you didn't need a ton of paper work to DX gear. Just go to CIF and trade it out. I have/had been stationed where you need a letter from your CO, BC, your mother and a priest and a free mason to DX something. All in the name of ?????. I or there was a soldier in my platoon that didn't get, lost, left. Anywho he didn't have his Y style suspenders. No one in his squad would help him. All they would say is stupid PVT. So he was in my platoon, I took matters in my hands. I asked him, do you have two dollars? This happened in 1994, he said yes. We went to one of the shops off post, he bought an old, man this thing had been through hell suspender. I took him to CIF and told him, if they ask, "you got cot in "connie". He said what is that. I told him, you will learn. I wanted to punch Robert grimes in the face everyday for that.

[@silenthunder85]

+Billy BOB the small wet weather bag is called a "Liner, Rucksack, Size 1".. seem pretty uncommon; found them from Sportsman's Guide years ago. The attachment straps you speak of were only on the old-school M1956 or M1967 gear; they did away with them when LC-2 came out. Spent 4 years at Polk myself haha; miserable place-- but every now & then, I think I miss it!! :P

[@rippersix293]

silenthunder85 Marine Corps used an H harness with LC-2 back in the ‘80’s

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

@@silenthunder85 Don't send me any hate for this... My late father was XO of Camp Polk in '43. He was at Camp Shelby too. Mom told me stories about that place

[@uscgalpha91]

New canteens cost $2-$4. for gods sake toss them in the fire

[@silenthunder85]

lol this is true.. but used items always cost less & this vid was designed to show decent gear to be had for cheap (these canteens were in good shape & didn't smell funky or anything; think I got them for $1 or $1.50 / something like that... I'd use them, although the canteens I use on my own LBE were new when I got them). The gear in this vid is just extra stuff I had laying around. I don't mind used stuff for the most part but I will draw the line at certain things-- for example; whenever I go to a thrift store, I see USED UNDERWEAR for sale... *shudder*... now THAT'S just skeezy for sure.

[@uscgalpha91]

***** I agree, I only use surplus gear and Im 61 years old. I have used, used canteens but after all the washing and wondering I stopped. I did buy some nalgene a couple of years ago. I have gone back to the LBE that was a leave behind in a storage locker. Also picked up a couple of Alice packs (med and Large at Goodwill (One compete with frame and straps for $1.99) I hung the large on a Kelty external frame (painted it OD green) the Med I left on the GI frame and use it as a truck pack. When I get Surplus gear I wash it in a bucket with Palmolive dish soap and soak overnight. I rinse a couple of times and air dry. I wear the LBE when I am hunting and love the pockets and shoulder padding. The US Army knows a thing or two about durable gear.

[@silenthunder85]

uscgalpha91 that alice pack was a steal! lol.. and yes, surplus is best-- ALICE is my favorite; MOLLE is ok but heavier. They keep trying to cut weight, but with all the gadgets over the years, it's ridiculous how much stuff we carry these days.

[@uscgalpha91]

It is ridiculous how much is carried. I used to work for Tactical Tailor which still mods Alice packs. Airborne uses them and stuffs them with ammo on a teather so that pack hits 1st. The Med Alice packs used to come in as total wrecks but the soilders still love them for their small size. Big army rides to work so the huge Molle works for them . The SF guys I worked with carried a small knife, lots of ammo and loaded out with vests more that packs. Most people who prep have never walked 10 miles with a pack. At mile 3 it would be time to get out the poncho and start chucking gear into a pile. Shit like rambo knifes, speed loaders, rain pants, pouches, extra clothes, extra mre's. and sleeping bags would be the first to go. If you are going any distance the weight needs to come down to about 20 lbs. I am not saying what you should or should'nt take but yes you can spend the night with a whole lot less gear and be comfortable. For example a life straw can drop the water load to zilch. Any way just my .02