Plate Carrier - General Purpose Kit Setup USMC GEN 3

This video is a response to a large amount of people asking to see a general purpose kit build that can be altered as needed with relative ease.
This build is designed for longer operations where you might find yourself staying out in the field for more than a day or two. Keep in mind that this is all preference and none of what is said and shown in this video should be taken as Gospel but just some things that have worked for us and might work for you too.
Thank you guys for all the support since we started this channel! We can't wait to see where the new year takes us!
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[@inf_dmr]

I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing fellow infantrymen from around the world go about trying to solve the inherent challenges that come with this job. Great video. Happy new year.

[@GruntHacks]

Happy new year!!

[@genehanna3977]

I'm a civilian with a sense for prep. These ideas help me solve the inherent problem of not knowing what to prepare for but getting most problems squared away in my kit. Overall I need to know what to split between my assault pack and on plate pack. So I'm not overburdened during contact or movement etc.

[@GruntHacks]

@@genehanna3977 yeah man, garland thumb also has some good videos on that topic?

[@genehanna3977]

@GruntHacks I saw some of his too. Like you said as many perspectives as possible. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking extras and heavies for the assault pack as well as 3rd line backups. On my plate carrier pack I typically only run or have set to run extra comms stuff, stuff to poke holes and then seal holes, Batts, small water purification stuff, small fire making and then extra E&E stuff that's light and dispersable.

[@GruntHacks]

@@genehanna3977 exactly!

[@TheGruntPerspective]

Great video, I try to set my kit up to be able to do a lot of things as well. The thing about being straight leg grunts, such as ourselves, is a lot of the time we don’t have the luxury of knowing EXACTLY what we’re going to be doing. We will certainly know what we’re doing when we leave…but after that, re-tasking happens all the time. So we kinda have to be ready for everything (within reason)

[@GruntHacks]

Yeah this was how I ran it when I was still with motorized and mechanized companies because it was always, take this objective… ok now go patrol this other objective… ok now go do a recon of this NAI… etc etc

[@quintus_rex7381]

Yup, I’m in a recon platoon (not in the US btw) and basically we sometimes have to go for days with our stuff and we don’t have the luxury to take the bare minimum like some kind of SF or more specific units do because we can start with a recon patrol but then have to set up ambush and then CQB things, and then observation,… and even when mounted we can end up dismounted with another mission to accomplish. That kind of video is missing on the internet, they’re all like « be the more low profile , Carry 3 mags,… » but my man, my basic load is 6mags and I need to carry this and this and that.

[@GruntHacks]

@@quintus_rex7381 exactly

[@Paddy_Tac]

Solid setup! Also that background music is relaxing AF

[@jfraz6246]

Well done. It’s always great watching how others go about taking issued kit and enhancing it with outside stuff

[@Dero_milsurp]

Really enjoyed this. Suffering from the old boomer "this is how we've always done it, so no personal plate carriers" here in the Army as well. Stuck with my IOTV. Havent found any IOTV modification kits so I've been just running aftermarket pouches for more efficiency.

[@GruntHacks]

It’s what you make brother! I’ve also been part of units with more restrictions on what we could and couldn’t do with our kits and honestly it sucked. My advice, if you’ll take it, write up a product to pitch to your chain of command on what exactly you want to see changed. Obviously if it’s asking something big like being able to use aftermarket plate carriers, the commander is assuming a lot of risk, just something to think about out

[@Dero_milsurp]

@@GruntHacks Been trying with what I have. I'm an FO so my setup is slightly different, but I get the risk with command allowing aftermarket PC's, especially when most Joes arent very up to speed on the differences between PX Condor and quality gear. Just that extra Kevlar in the IOTV gets stupid hot even in the winter.

[@marineplaysairsoft]

he got that sickle cell med bracelet this was good info, ty for helping me not get so out of touch with what grunts are doing now!

[@E3W2A]

The port on the battery adapter is to charge a 148/152 battery using a wall charger. The same company that makes it makes a wall charger and international adapters to charge up the radio batteries themselves using the same device. Great info as always.

[@GruntHacks]

The more you know! Thanks for the addition!!!

[@sgwilsonmd]

Semper Fi. Way different from the LBE and ALICE we had in '77 Brother. I like the conversion. (USMC 77-81)

[@Allyourbase1990]

Love the video man ! Semper Fi

[@zexnynex777]

Dude in his garage IS real. Real is good.

[@matthewtraver2895]

Awesome set up man. Stumbled upon your channel just now, years after I've dipped into the CivDiv. Love the unscripted takes of doctrine and solid concepts you bring up in other vids as well...brings the school circle to KZbin. I would've eaten this content up as a new guy and wish more dudes cared enough about 03xx as a job when I did my stint. This content rocks and does a great job of avoiding the plague of power-hungry NCO's who really aren't technically proficient. We all love some slay-fest PT...but this content right here might one day save a Marine/ Team/ Squad etc. down range in the next fight. Even as a TL or SL I would've still used online sources like this to supplement my own interpretations of things. All that to say...the efforts going into these videos will have a positive lasting impact. Keep'em coming! Stumbling on this channel and seeing Grunts who care made me feel proud to be an 03 again. Give'em one.

[@GruntHacks]

We appreciate the support !! Stay hard to kill

[@REV0_01]

Great video … I just wish I could afford a setup like that .

[@GruntHacks]

I’m thinking of doing a issued only pouches set up later on

[@GulfSoftwash]

That Haley Heavy slaps the hardest. Best overall placard in my opinion. Rah Kill Yut.

[@TheDude69693]

Hey brother where did you get your A tac mount?

[@cabelas1256]

Do you know what PTT y’all are running now. It’s kinda slick. awesome video 🫡

[@GruntHacks]

Invictus Dual Comm!

[@anthony559]

Very knowledgeable and educational. Rah.

[@andyguerrero5186]

How were you able to mount your fixed knife to your chest rig? Looks like you used some sort of pouch. Product name???

[@BoonieLo]

Happy new year daddy hacks

[@GruntHacks]

Happy New Year!

[@JoshuaQuinton]

What kind of plates do you have inside the plate carrier? Great video

[@GruntHacks]

Tbh whatever the USMC issues lol I’m not exactly sure the name or brand

[@Bandoo21]

Don’t apologize for the background that shits hard and real

[@peytongray3356]

What cumberbund do you run on this?

[@NorthernCryptic]

Which adapter did you use to mount the placard to the plate carrier? I found the AXL’s on Haley Strategic but doesn’t look like it comes with the side buckles. Did you go with a different brand or get side clips as well? Thank you

[@GruntHacks]

I just found some buckles from other gear I had laying around lol

[@mattster2810]

Where did you get the male end clips to hold the side of the chest rig down ?

[@GruntHacks]

Honestly I was just digging around old gear I had laying about, I also think I salvaged one from a piece of gear that someone was going to throw away

[@3566remi]

How do you carry water when not using a pack?

[@GruntHacks]

Never not have the pack

[@nakievzamir9796]

On the warbelt, you can not occupy one of the magazine pouches with mags and insert a 350ml titanium mug and a tourist bottle suitable in diameter instead. it is better under the right hand, because everything on the left should be filled with mags (if you are right-handed). There are excellent closed pouches for 3 AK mags, the Russian company SSO makes them. It fits in there normally. A double pouch for magazines will not work, only a slender one with a removed partition accommodating 3 pieces of 5.45 mm mags

[@isaacramirez3634]

Have you used a Gen 2 plate carrier in the past? Do you have any recommendations for that plate carrier? Im looking to move away from the 3 double taco magazines that I was issued

[@GruntHacks]

Yes I actually rocked the Gen 2 for the first 4 years I was in! I would recommend using single stack mag pouches for the front and whatever mags you have left over, single stack on your belt. A slimmer profile is almost always the better option. I’ve yet to come across a situation where I needed to be thicker on my kit. It’s all about experimenting. When I was living in the barracks and had time, I would try different pouches in different spots that made sense to me. If you have any second guesses on pouch placement have someone like a TL or SL look it over real quick and see if they have any suggestions. Everyone is different so it’ll take a lot you taking the time to try out different ways!

[@MrSwccguy]

Brother in Grunt the Gen 2 is better in my opinion then the gen 3. But for the gen 2 get yourself some BDS tactical skeleton cummerbunds. Shaw Concepts and buckskin both have great vids on how to make the gen 2 better

[@MrSwccguy]

​@GruntHacks get something to store those batteries better broham. Also you said slim front so not double stack when you have gp pouches on front of your mags, that's the same profile as 6 mags.

[@GruntHacks]

@@MrSwccguy For a general purpose kit I'm not too worried about the thickness, is it a concern? Yes. However it's not the end all be all. It's a different story though if I'm doing a lot of MOUT/CQB. Then I would want to be as thin as possible.

[@mikejeffsteel]

Can you remove that background music or make it quieter? Its hard to concentrate on what you say.

[@GruntHacks]

Ok I will definitely make it quieter for the next video! Unfortunately after it’s uploaded I can’t edit the audio specifically to the music! Thank you for the feedback back🤘🏽

[@Vg-my7ib]

Not going to lie, I prefer the gen 2s

[@trippskits2503]

Where does your assault pack fall into your general purpose kit use? That Shaw pack looks a little small

[@GruntHacks]

It has its uses but I’ve never actually had a time where I thought to myself, “man I wish I had the issued assault pack”. In my opinion if you’re carrying so much stuff that you NEED the issued assault pack, you’re already carrying enough to just throw it into a main pack at that point.

[@trippskits2503]

@@GruntHacks makes sense. Awesome video man

[@b-rad6978]

Can you please upload without the music. I really liked your other videos without music. Thank you.

[@tomrobinson7817]

Organize those batteries and waterproof them.

[@user-hv6us2mt7v]

Hello. Please tell me why you use such small pieces of 550 paracord in raids? What do you usually do for them?

[@GruntHacks]

You’re asking the wrong questions my friends, it what CAN I use it for. As well as, it was just a demonstration piece, the mission will dictate how much you might want to bring

[@user-hv6us2mt7v]

I understand you, thank you very much for your answer, I’m watching your activities with interest, good mood and good luck to you!

[@georgebromley1653]

What chest rig are you using?

[@GruntHacks]

Haley Strategic Heavy DCR3X I believe

[@georgebromley1653]

@@GruntHacks thank you sir! Mines falling apart on my rig

[@joehumphreys5571]

I’m diggin the channel I am not digging the music lol.

[@tomquirin4231]

hey my brotha n fellow patriot , old jarhead here n LOVE this vid n content 1 million % cool, def. wanna talk more , only have email here though , will forever support ya , thanks bro > tom !

[@willholly1844]

5 mags? Only 5 mags? Not even on a recon. Min 9. Always.

[@GruntHacks]

Again this is bare minimum, what you don’t see is two in the belt that I don’t have out. Remember this is designed to be added to or taken from. So if I know I’m going on a contact or security patrol, I’m doubling down on how much ammo I’m taking out.

[@user-gt1mc7pw7q]

Why would you put your phone on your vest?"

[@GruntHacks]

If you know, you know ;)

[@jc.8112]

Why not just throw an assault pack over your plate carrier? Seems a lot easier to access your gear than having to take your whole PC off at the cost of a few extra pounds. Plus, you can adjust the straps to shift the weight instead of having a pack that's fixed in one position.

[@GruntHacks]

I don’t disagree with you. I just don’t like the assault pack because I end up with two personal pet peeves. A) Keep the straps loose and have to deal with a basically a pack on my back diddy bopping around anytime I have to run or jump B) tighten the straps and now they’re digging into my shoulders/cutting of circulation Now that’s just my experience from the issued assault pack, and obviously everyone’s build is different so it very could work better for them to use an assault pack!

[@GruntHacks]

The Shaw concepts PCP also has the ability to have regular shoulder straps, the other reason I chose to use the Shaw Concepts PCP is it clips in the chest rig, the issued assault pack can not

[@jc.8112]

@@GruntHacks You're right, it just comes down to personal preference and which tradeoffs you're willing to make. Have you ever considered making a video on kevlar setups? I just traded my turtleshell in for a highcut and I have no idea how to effectively utilize its modularity. Also, I really like your videos, please keep making them.

[@GruntHacks]

@@jc.8112 I have an earlier video I made that goes over my high cut, Plate Carrier - HELO RAIDS, that one does a decent bit going over the dome piece. I’ll do another one solely focused on different ways to set it up as well later on!

[@ironteacup2569]

On a patrol or assault I want my pack attached to my PC so it is part of the PC’s load bearing… when mounted in a Vic… or mechanized I will take everything off my back and never sit in a Vic with my bag on no matter how small. I hope that makes more sense

[@TheLARPist]

A music is cool addition, but it's a little bit too loud compared to your voice

[@GruntHacks]

I will adjust accordingly! Thank you!

[@TheLARPist]

@@GruntHacks thanks for valuable content, I recommend it both for my military and civilian buddies

[@annaravenhand5536]

Literally saying Literally 17 times

[@GruntHacks]

I know literally! That dude literally has zero vocabulary

[@sigridbrockenhuus]

I do not like that at all. You are running on the delusion that more ammo is "right there" and you will have a quick insertion/extraction. Learn from the lesssons in ukraine.

[@GruntHacks]

I’m curious on your perspective, can you elaborate

[@sigridbrockenhuus]

@@GruntHacks The moral of the story is you are setting up your carrier beliving you will always have that extra support at your PTT button and even for a Marine it might not alway be there...something to think about.

[@GruntHacks]

@@sigridbrockenhuus the carrier set up is designed to be built up or broken down based on the mission received. That’s why it’s a general purpose build. If you need more ammo, you’re able to put it in the Shaw PCP on the back. Also, with the way the Marine Corps is training… picking up enemy weapon systems and using them in a pinch is also available. I appreciate the concern though

[@sigridbrockenhuus]

@@GruntHacks I actually wrote out this long explaination but at the end of the day decided it was not my place so I deleted it.