Usually try to follow that protocol and try to ask questions I haven't seen addressed. My last post was my attempt to respond to Dozers desire for me to grab ahold of my sack more often and not offend him with flattery (he has been subtly pushing to do this). Sorry if it offended. :lifter

At the risk of further irritating Dozer (or any of the other gents here who I seem to rub the wrong way). I wanted to give you all an AAR on what I decided. I ordered a Malice 3 and had them add some PALS webbing as well as the RTO zipper. I have humped the Alice long distances with heavy loads before and just couldn't get away from the established bond created from embracing the suck with the big green tick on my back (Also, as I mentioned before, I humped the Molle but couldn't stand it so all the reaffirmation about the Alice is really what sold me). Also ordered an XLT from Kifaru and asked both TT and Kifaru to add the necessary clips that Aoresteen suggested for the mod. Already have an Alipad from HSGI. Ordered it all in OD based on what Stras pointed out which made a lot of sense. It's basically the same setup Aoresteen has so I thank him for taking the time to share his info. We were never allowed to carry modded rucks in LAR so I never invested in a personal one which is partly why i found this thread really informative and I learned some stuff that I didn't know before. Now I have purchased one and however it plays out I will have a solid pack for personal use. Really excited about it and already planning a wilderness excursion with some buddies to break it in. Thanks again for all the advice gents. I apologize for any irritation caused, but I feel like you all helped me make a better informed decision and wanted to let you all know the end state.

Atilla

Dozer if I ever get the privilege of sharing some beer with you there is no way that (and this is according to protocol) I would be able to drink beer paid for from your coffers until I provide some purchased from my own.:lifter

KKHH, TTFN

please stop talking like a cadet who is excited to use acronyms. One of the new guys in my Company said "hooah" the other day (and not in the sarcastic SF way.) You could have heard a pin drop from the open team room doors. I even saw faces of confusion.

Atilla,

As I've mentioned in my previous recommendation to you, stop being "that guy" who has to express everything that is in his head. We are all glad that you are motivated, but you are going down the road of making a name for yourself as a "chatty cadet." Just stay in your lane, take advises and recommendations, take ass chewings in stride, and stop posting to explain everything. This one simple phrase will save you much troubles and heartaches in the Army, and in life, "No excuses." End it at that unless someone presses for clarification. Otherwise, you are just going to be a target for others.

Again, enthusiasm and motivation is good...to a point. Sometimes quiet professionalism is better.

Well, FWIW, you asked about Blackhawk, so I will give you my experience. I was fortunate enough that my unit allowed optional gear before deploying to Iraq. There weren't a lot of gear companies at the time, and even less that had a web site you could order from. So I went with Blackhawk. I ordered this pack: http://www.tactical.com/sof-ruck-pac...hannelid=FROOG

I carried about 100# in Iraq, give or take 10# depending on state of resupply or which gear was spread-loaded to me. This pack performed really well. In fact, I still have it, and it continues to hold up and perform well. The major complaint I have with it is that the shoulder straps are too thin, but that is easily remedied.

I will add a cautionary note, though: Typical of Blackhawk's generally inconsistent quality, I spoke to someone who had the complete opposite experience with theirs. It fell apart at around 70# at the yoke as it attaches to the frame. Blackhawk replaced it for free, but remember, YMMV.

Otherwise, the pouches are set up really nicely, the side pouches will carry 2 60mm mortar rounds or 1 81mm mortar round OR 1 hydration bladder each. Top flap pouch will hold a Claymore kit, etc. Zero issues with the zippers failing or the fastex buckles.

Hope this helps.

Edited because my computer-fu is weak.

Not unheard of...
 

Happened to me many a time during SUT...cross load sometimes happened sometimes didn't. Most of the time the biggest guys (me) carried the biggest loads and I remember one specific incident where I finally raised my hand and asked for a weight and the weights ranged from 90 to 120 lbs, mine being 120. Right, wrong, indifferent...who knows? We all get through it somehow.


BTW, anyone have any good luck with London Bridge's Ruck? Its suspension system looks like that of an actual mountaineering pack yet still retains a "true" ruck design...

http://www.londonbridgetrading.com/m...6-F14477786204

The other thing that you guys going through the course, or pondering about putting in your packet may want to think about. Is your high speed low drag rucksack made by "company X" approved to jump either static line or MFF? And I'm not talking is it approved by the company that makes it. You may want to research USASOC Reg 350-2 (Airborne Training, 4 Jun 08), FM 3-05.211(MFF) and FM 3-21.220(SL Operations, Sep 2003) for further info which cover airborne operations and research some safety of use messages.

It would suck to spend all that money on a nice ruck, and then not be able to use it in the woods. :boohoo

Just something for you to think about........:munchin

Great thread.
Now I only was SWAT Cop and ran Field Training Program. That menas I had to supervise all the new recruist who had all the answers. It prepared me to be a father. LOL I notice some things are exactly the same between LE and SF
1. Keep mouth shut and do as told
2. Use gear issued until you know the difference. Anyone showing up with modified kit is looked at as Geek and potential problem
3. Dont stand out as having answers until questions are asked. You dont know and they dont wnat to hear your opinions.

I really enjoy this website. I dont post much because most often the questions asked are not for me. I get alot of great information here. Funny as LE Sniper I used medium Alice for about twenty years and loved it. Now I have a dozen rucks and dont put enough miles on any of them.

Back to reading

Not necessarily so with #2.
 

Tacticalinterve, Item number two is a bit false. one would not be looked at as a geek for bringing in new type stuff. Innovation is always scrutinized for it's good potential.. Off times many improvements come from down to up. The user will always find a better modification to make our hardships a bit easier if possible with no loss to mission capabilities.

Blitzz, your saying a guy going to a Q Course would not be given a second strange look for non standard gear? I dont mean a guy already through selection I mean brand spankin new guy. If so I guess I am wrong but reading here it sure seems to support my theroy

You referenced LE and SF
 

You made no mention of Q course. There as far as I know there is no other than issued equipment. At least there wasn't in '68. Training is pretty much always well defined as to what will and will not be taken.

Things change.

TR

In order to not give an advantage to other soldiers going through the SFQC, you are only allowed issued items currently. the issued item is a Large Alice Ruck with NO extra pockets.

The cadre for each phase will have the latest packing list, which will clearly identify what you are allowed to have.

Brings back memories of my youth. Blue skies, German beer, humping the bergs with the generator stuffed in the 1942 vintage Mountain Ruck.:p