OK, I've been trying hard to stay out of this one, since in my time as a Marine we were still using "Deuce Gear" (as in 782). I have no experience with Alice Gear let alone FILBE, and therefore can't comment on their relative merits, or lack therof.

However I don't quite buy the implication that the US military is incompetent. In Vietnam, the whole reason the main force NVA came into the fight is because the Viet Cong guerillas had been largely defeated. Regarding the current conflicts, I've been reading a book about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and the raid that killed him. Admiral William McRaven (head of JSOC) estimated that by the time they started planning that raid, he had been involved (either on the ground or in a command role) in several thousand successful raids on "guerilla fighters and rebels".

In the OBL raid they flew through the mountains at low level at night, evaded air defense systems, coped with a crashed helicopter, killed OBL, and escaped with his body. They did all this without loosing a single man or killing any civilians outside of OBL's compound. And had Pakistan tried to intervene and the raiders had to fight their way out, they had a quick reaction force staged nearby inside Pakistan, another larger force staged just across the border, and fighter jets ready to take on the Paki air force.

I think our miltary is exceedingly competent.

EDIT 2: McRaven is an admiral, not a general. Typing faster than I was thinking!

IIRC weren't the up to date arms basically the same arms they had been using for hunting with a bayonet lug added?

Yep, there is some excellent Mil spec gear around. I'm currently looking for a UK supplier for the Sealline ILBE dry Sacks.

http://www.amazon.com/ILBE-Sack-65L-Olive-Retail/dp/B002PWFSK8

For some reason the newer FILBE Bergen doesn't appear to come with a dry compression sack though.

There are lighter Bergens available with larger capacities such as the Mil spec offerings from Norrona, Berghaus, Karrimor, Web Tex and Lowe Alpine but for Military Training purposes used in developing Hill Fitness these do require the addition of multiple LSBT's



But I can't seem to find a NSN number for LSBT (Load Simulator Brick Training)...

Question - What is the source for the statement that the pack weights 17 pounds? Granted, it is surely not a lightweight, but seventeen seems excessive - seven might be closer, just looking at part of the video. I'll bet the troops will figure out ways to lighten the load in any event

Before jumping to conclusions on this piece of gear, and by implication on the US military procurement system, I would like to hear comments from a few active duty grunts who have actually used in the field. In the meantime this reviewer has actually tested one and seems to like it. From the photos, it looks to be a monster, when fully set up.

That indeed is a positive review and that is good news. It looks like it is approximately equal to any number of civilian packs and built up for the rigors of military service, except - the pack strap tore off during its initial use (!!!) Perhaps there should be a separate pouch for duct tape and another for baling wire/550cord.

Let's face it - nobody's perfect and glitches do occur. Civilian designers can work these things out with extensive beta testing before putting products on the market.

Appears to have the same ALICE Stoop problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBakphJvNIs

The FILBE does appear to have a much superior back system (modern) to help distribute the load. Not impressed with the CoG issue though that is clearly shown let alone the weight of Bergen pack.



ahem, really

Oh, I'm not knocking the Military. It's the bureaucracy that I got problems with.

Exactly what Benjamin said!

BOATMAN
John

Amen