I finished my service as a squad leader in the Finnish Defense Forces last december and I had a lot of my guys rubbing their head on how to do their PC setups. Couldn't really tell them to copy mine as their jobs in the squad were very different to mine so I just directed a lot of the most confused guys to your videos and to "watch these with some thought and make your own world with it" Also gave the guy stepping up to my position a tip about your channel (conscript military) for when his guys start asking the same questions. But anyways just wanted to send some love and a story from the other side of the globe and show that your having an influence over here too. Keep up the awesome content man always looking forward to it even tho I'm a reservist now.
just when i was racking my head trying to figure out how to set up my plate carrier for when i can't wear a belt (bc i'm only 5ft8), grunt daddy returns.
@@black-stormbeats9272 i mean, i CAN wear a belt. but just like the video said, it's a fucking pain to accomodate it when rucking. if i was taller, i could have slipped the ruck's waist strap between my PC and my belt. but bc i'm not that tall, there isn't enough space.
This plate carrier reminds me a lot of the setups at the turn of the century to the late 00s that ran massive plate carriers that have so many pouches it looks like a puff jacket. Its sick.
I've been watching since the beginning. Multiple accounts through the years. I really find your channel unique for one big reason. It's shows your progression of mindset and setup while progressing through ranks and positions while most veteran gear type channels are after service. It shows how you've actually refined what you needed.
As an Army guy, the IOTV never let me run a belt due to how thicc that shit is. The gen 4 *kiiiinda* works, but I've got a shorter torso, and wider hips, so that shit ends up riding too high and impinging into my pelvis, no ruck. Add in being mounted, and there's no way you can get that to sit nice. Completely on the same page with the belt being for running a handgun and then maybe you add a small ifak and a rifle reload for FOB crawling. I appreciate the wise words. Good shit bro!
Completely agree with you on belts. I was a medic in the Canadian army and spent most of my time attached to light infantry. Belts are very rare to see in the Canadian army for two big reasons. Reason #1 is because they aren't issued so dudes would have to buy them on top of all the stuff most infanteers buy because our army is poor af and our tactical vest is from the 1990s and complete trash. Reason #2 is because of exactly what you said. They're virtually impossible to ruck with them on, and leaving them attached to your ruck presents itself with a lot of challenges. Really happy to see a grunt who looks after his TQs and puts them in a pouch to protect them and prevent them from falling off your kit as you're crawling around in the dirt and mud. Way too many dudes will elastic band them to their vest and I'm really not a fan of that. I'd recommend you get a pair of X Shears, they're by far the best shears money can buy and will last you a life time. They cut so much better than any other type of shear it isn't even close. Great video as always man!
Great video bro, nice set up. Unfortunately when I was in (0321), you definitely had to have a rated belt to hook up to birds. Obviously a different mission statement in my MOS. When I was 0311, I definitely woulda rocked your set up. Good stuff dog, keep it up.
There is an issued solution to carry nods. Put you canteen cup in an empty canteen pouch, the use a sock for cushion and noise reduction when the nods are in the canteen pouch. Not my favorite method, but it works. I did it first half of Infantry BOLC. The trade off of everything on the plate carrier is weight, immediate access to water, and if you can fit comfortably in a vehicle if needed.
fair point, I didn’t think of bigger nods. Ive only ever been issued PVS 14s. I’ve always fought for the cheap skates, marines from 2001 to 2008 then the national guard from 2012 to present.
Also I’d like to say I’ve also moved the direction again to everything in the plate thinking of how I did things in Iraq while in the Corps. Belt can have holster pistol mag pouches, and sometimes a knife. Plate Carrier and or chest rig have 6 mags, water (canteen or bottle), medical, admin/leader stuff, and 2 spots reinforced to hold sensitive items along with other previously mentioned stuff.
Glad to see you're back. I've been debating belt vs carrier for some time. Its just a lot of weight on the shoulders. I prefer to spread it out, but im not packing it all day every day.
Interesting to see how other militaries look at kit carriage. British load carrying equipment is designed to be worn as a system. Belt kit is the go-to as you can carry enough stuff to live for 24hrs and distribute the weight better than with a plate carrier. Bergens (ruck) are short back and sits above the belt, so you can comfortably wear both. together. I would have 6 mags, 2 water bottles, PRC 354 radio, emergency rations, weapon cleaning kit & oil, HE, smoke, torch, knife, med kit etc, all on the belt.
Very good call with unscrewing the flashlight tailcap. I carry the same one at work on an ambulance and it constantly turns on in my pocket if it hits something the wrong way. Otherwise fantastic light
I transitioned to a belt because first I'm left handed so it sped up my reloads. Second; we tried to slim down the kit to fit through tight passages with Vehicles and MOUT. Fortunately, I kept the back slick so I didnt have issues integrating with a pack, and I got rid of the issued belt because it was too thick. We still had guys that liked all their kit on their PC. I imagine a Jungle Assault on an entrenched pos; this might be the way to go. Have you had issues with VBSS and MOUT? Also if your unit isn't training mounted patrolling remind drivers after a turn they have to start slower than they want. Everyone else has to make that turn, they'll separate themselves if they don't consider the rest.
I ran a camelback Molly vest with a zipper down the middle over my plate carrier. I had all my kit on the vest. The vest had a couple of advantages one I could unzip the center and lay flat in the prone. Two if I had to E&E and needed to drop some weight I could just drop the plate carrier and go then take the slack out of my vest as time permitted. I started doing this around 2004 or 2006. Now you can pretty much do the same thing with just the plate carrier but you will have problems with the prone and if you want to drop weight so you can move faster you are going to have to stop for a while to strip the plates and the soft armor from the vest then tighten the plate carrier to the body. Not saying I had the best way just sharing information. As for the belt I just used it on the FOB with a pistol and two magazines. I tried a couple of different options for wearing my pistol on the vest both worked well. One was in the usually hip position but on the vest the other was on the vest over the heart. The over the heart position is good for when you are operating from a vehicle it makes it very easy to draw your sidearm if you need it. The drawback is that it may make the person sitting next to you feel uncomfortable. If you are on a small team you must consider what things bother others.
To me, I usually run either a chest rig or a plate carrier with a possibility of a belt. The belt is just a multiplier, possibility for some extra ar mags, and to run a sidearm + mags, and extra utility. But my PC has most of my essentials for a fight. Rifle mags, grenades, IFAK, some utility, water. Similar principle for my chest rig. Mag pouches that can be run slick or expanded/multipurpose(e.g. spud pouches), big utility pouches for IFAK, water, util.
I know it's very minimalist, but have you considered the Ferro Concepts Roll One? You could use the dangler for the contents of the JSTA, keep the smoke grenades in their, and use the general purpose pouch on your dominant side for a night vision pouch? You could also consider a fanny sack pouch for medical if the Roll One gets in the way of a ruck, although I doubt it would because it sits flush with the plate. I remember you mentioned that you keep the back half of your cummerbunds slick because it's hard to wear with a pack. I know that, unfortunately, a lot of infantry considerations are based off carrying a full sized ruck with combat gear. Do you think: 1. You could carry little things like upside down grenades or tourniquets, magazines you don't need ready access to, etc.that could lie mostly flat? 2. You could put larger pouches if your only concern was an assault or three day pack? It's obviously be less comfortable but probably less so than with ruck straps 3. (more of a tactics question) with the proliferation of drones, do you think such a heavy loadout and trying to live above ground in the forest is dangerous and driving gear and training in the wrong direction? The Japanese, Vietnamese, Taliban, Isis, Hamas, and the Ukrainians all make great use of tunnel systems. These also heavily negate the use for night vision due to the lack of natural light underground and allow them to operate drones from greater safety. I get you don't have much of a choice in your training regiment and it seems your gear changes between units, which obviously have different missions, but could higher leadership be hindering your abilities and options? I just always keep in mind how you work your kit around rucking with your plate carrier on, which I only did for incredibly short movements and didn't feel I needed to base my kit around. I wasn't in an infantry or direct combat role but was a vehicle crewman and mechanic. At most we'd ruck out in kit to the vehicles or seven tons, toss our packs in or tie them down, and ride in our kit.
@@womplad9864 appreciate the insight, as far as the roll 1 I couldn’t use it on the back, this plate carrier does not have Velcro on the back side. And for mounting small stuff further back and upside down and what not, I have thought about that and am making some changes to give the ability to carry nods if necessary. Thanks for watching!
As a injured former 0311, use the belt man. Its not worth the severe spine issues but even with my now crooked spine i can wear a lightweight crye spc with 3lb plates with a placard and put damn near everything else on a AWS SMU belt. TLDR: For the love of God, please use a belt and get that weight off your spine!
Being able to use your own gear has always been a matter of who's watching. On paper your CO can authorize anything with a memo, but for that to stick they have to be willing to defend it in front of an O5. Most aren't. Rocking the boat and scoring no good boy points with the people that decide their careers just to make an E-nothing's life a little more comfortable is never deemed worth it.
If you didn’t have your nvg in your cargo pocket then what else would you use to tear holes in your pocket so you can use the sewing kit everyone doesn’t have
I don't see a dumppouch. I've learned by trial and error that in a firefight (albeit training scenarios until thus far for me) the difference between putting something in a dumppouch or just back in place is minimal in terms of time saved, if you even have the opportunity to and are not straight up dumping your mags on the ground. But I do find it useful for holding larger bulkier things like my weapon maintenance set which I carry on range days, my sling for when I don't have my weapon in my hands, sometimes stuff to eat. Does it not bother you that the multi-purpose stuff-holding thing that it is, is gone?
@@KoenTheLivingLegend it doesn’t, I haven’t been using a dump pouch for years. I’ve never bought into them. 95% of the time I’m either carrying a ruck sack or an assault pack anyway so all of those items go inside there
From my and others experience I find them very useful in very stressful/fast situations. Especially in the dark. Something is in the way of the mag pouch, and you seemingly can't get the mag in, the dump pouch is there. Also when having to do a reload in full sprint or when you are very distracted while running. In situations when you have to suddenly run and gun like hell, and you were just using some electro optical system, you shove it in the dump pouch on the move. Same for maps and radio beacons. Also handy to carry mines explosive wire and such in.
@ in those situations I use my cargo pocket. You really shouldn’t be carrying munitions in a dump pouch. It’s not secure enough to keep them from falling out unless it has some kind of closure. But then with it closed you can’t use it anymore
@TheGruntPerspective i recon you must have larger pockets then i do. Most of our explosives i use doesn't have to be carried in any special container/packaging, and nothing has ever escaped from my dump pouch. But I get what you mean.
It doesn’t look big and bulky. It looks normal. Haha the pc y’all have now are soooo nice compared to the gen 2. Good set up man. I’m glad the days I of being called “a gear nerd/ queer” is done. All those guys always looked Like an unprofessional boot to me and there I was comfy and a lot less bulky/ maneuverable.
As an arty observer, I've set up my Shaw chest rig VERY similarly to how your plate carrier is set up. (shout out to Canadian army bases requiring you to wear frag vests smh). I have the same gripes with belts. Look super sexy, but a burden to have to look after another piece of kit and honestly not worth the trouble. Edit: Believe it or not, a samsung S24+ with an otterbox case fits in the shaw admin pouch, same velcro-on-the-back method.
I find myself never using my belt because my job takes getting in and out of 7tons repeatedly throughout a field op and the belt always gets in the way or sits a strange way always
@@tylersimplot13 I like the one he has since it’s flat and I’m guessing it’s waterproof since it’s encased but I’m just tired of using the ziplock bags and want something more organized
Anybody who runs a belt knows what happens with you ruck with a belt on for long distances. It’s never a comfortable experience. I see it here at JMRC all the time. Belts disappear after the first 3 days. Usually added to the tops of rucks.
Been there done that, it's a balancing act for sure. Your leadership will likely mandate that your EDL remains on your body, however, utilize your "mid-ride" holster mount and the QD buckle so that when you strap your belt to your pack, you can pop the hoslter/m18 off and place it somewhere in your pack during movement. You can also skip the gun belt and use a riggers belt and slide the mid ride / QD set up on there directly. Same thing detatch the holster during the movement, get to your ORP, pop your sidearm back in place. The only time skipping the belt can really fuck you up is when you guys do your CBRN events, then its nice to have a warbelt/ outter belt to out on over your mopp suit.
I've been trying to do this for the past few years. I was really into wearing a belt for everything when I was newer. In my opinion, learn to carry it all on your shoulers
Why did we move away from carriers with quick detach on the shoulders? I'm looking to buy a new plate carrier but I literally only see like two options, the agilite K19 or the ferro concepts
@@jki808 It's probably a combination of that and I'm not really a gear guy, learning a lot right now. I just ran with whatever was issued and afterwards I would just buy second-hand off of my roommates who always had spare stuff. I appreciate it, I'll check out first spear, thanks
I was wondering, you have experience with the Crye AVS, why did you pick this plate carrier over the AVS? Seems like the AVS would be perfect with the harness system to be a one-PC-carry-all system, and for infantry in general. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
@@TheGruntPerspective oof, the unfortunate reality 😅 I have been considering getting an AVS myself with the harness as im considering switching out my modded FirstSpear AAC. Im not sure if Ill go with any of the AXL upgrades as it seems like the base AVS system with harness would be perfect. Tbh I dont have much issue with the AAC, just considering the added comfort versus the extra bulk/weight.
I have noticed a change in mag positions. yours are bullet starboard. As a boomer old Marine who saw ALICE to plate carrier load outs, I carry rifle mags bullet pointed port and have no reload problems Can you please do a video on mag orientation and reloads
Still love your content! Quick question, I am setting up my PC similar to yours with the Shaw Document Stacker in the front, how exactly did you manage to do this? Thanks!
So does your DZ rig (or similar massive belt addon) still have a place in your professional life or has the corps successfully broken you to their proverbial plow?
I always avoided the low profile belt setups for a similar reason. Backpacks and those do not mix. Have wondered about the big fat ones as a plus-up kind of deal though. You can still semi-reasonably carry a ruck on them if the rear pouches are fat enough to rest it on. You tried that with a FILBE yet?
@ it won’t work with FILBE frame unless you’re 7 foot tall. I used a crossfire DG3 frame and it worked good with belt kit. I have a point on instagram about it
@@TheGruntPerspective good point. I have so much gear I’m building and taking apart all the time to make the best of all of it and ready for any situation but mission truly dictates gear
@@kevintodd8885 I’ve done a few different things. I’m not setup here to carry them. I would be keeping them in my ruck and taking them in an assault pack for missions/ patrols
I personally keep mine in my plate carrier inside a dedicated Spiritus Systems GP pouch. They make foam insert specifically for nvgs/sensitive equipment.
@@beatsbyryI've attempted to post the link twice, if it gets deleted again just go to esstac website how to mag pouches then go to panels and its there.
Pardon if you already talked about it in the vid, only 7ish minutes in it while listening at work. Need to comment before I forget my train of thought. I believe rocking a belt kit along with everything else would be for the best… Only if everything else was designed with it in mind. I think that transitional period in 90’s-early GWOT from Alice to more plate carrier centric gear fucked over belt kit. We see Brit’s with their webbing and Bergen style rucks doing just fine. But with our FILBE’s, oversized gen2/gen3 flaks and not great warbelts, it almost seems impossible unless you have a long ass back.
@@krumpsak I’d agree with you, I also think a problem is the lack of rucks on the American market that are meant to be used with belt kit. I like belt kit a lot and I’d like to use it. But there just isn’t a lot of rucks out there that work with it
@@TheGruntPerspective For real, I’d give it a few years (maybe big maybe) until we see prominent domestic packs being made with belt kit in mind because of everything we’re seeing/learning from Ukraine
Units are also incompetent and issue the wrong size gear. I am 5'4 and was issued first a medium IOTV with large plates, and then an extra large IOTV with large plates. No chance in hell of wearing a belt, I couldn't even piss without removing my armor.
That would be challenging. I can say that hands down the best ruck frame for wearing body armor is the malice frame from tactical tailor (in my experience). Wearing assault packs with a plate carrier kinda sucks no matter what because usually they don’t have any structure
I personally find thin, wide straps to be the best for wear over a plate carrier. Personally I tend to not use a waist strap because it shifts the carrier awkwardly and the standoff the rear plate creates for the ruck makes it less viable. As for comfort-ability I find frequent use and training to be the only real solution besides wide straps to make it suck less.
The situation you're describing of dudes strapping their belts to their packs is easy to fix... don't strap your belt to your pack. I get that it's uncomfortable in some situations but adjust your setup to make it workable. The back 6 molle slots on my belt are empty save for a collapsable dump pouch that's super low profile, which lets a properly adjusted and sized pack sit "comfortably". Great video, though, as always.
@@thomasmiller961 easy to say, hard to enforce 35 Lcpl’s from not strapping their belts to their packs. I wanted to make this video to educate those guys that they might not actually need a belt you know. Eliminating the possibility of them doing it, and making them more comfortable while I’m at it. Thanks for watching!
I know belts are good sometimes and bad others, but I offer the poor mans solution! Kit out your issued kidney belt with an empty butt pouch and your must have belt items, then simply remove the belt from your ruck when you need it and put it back on when you don't. Tasmanian tiger makes a good pack with this concept in mind.
I finished my service as a squad leader in the Finnish Defense Forces last december and I had a lot of my guys rubbing their head on how to do their PC setups. Couldn't really tell them to copy mine as their jobs in the squad were very different to mine so I just directed a lot of the most confused guys to your videos and to "watch these with some thought and make your own world with it"
Also gave the guy stepping up to my position a tip about your channel (conscript military) for when his guys start asking the same questions.
But anyways just wanted to send some love and a story from the other side of the globe and show that your having an influence over here too. Keep up the awesome content man always looking forward to it even tho I'm a reservist now.
I’m happy I could help man!
just when i was racking my head trying to figure out how to set up my plate carrier for when i can't wear a belt (bc i'm only 5ft8), grunt daddy returns.
@@Vicarious_Heart 😘
@@TheGruntPerspective 😍
If u can't wear a belt because ur too short ur plate is probably too big
@@black-stormbeats9272 yeah sounds like it might be
@@black-stormbeats9272 i mean, i CAN wear a belt. but just like the video said, it's a fucking pain to accomodate it when rucking. if i was taller, i could have slipped the ruck's waist strap between my PC and my belt. but bc i'm not that tall, there isn't enough space.
Love the simple videos. No flashy intros, no flashy backgrounds, no BS. Just click the video and get the information.
I appreciate it, not tech savvy enough to do that anyway
This plate carrier reminds me a lot of the setups at the turn of the century to the late 00s that ran massive plate carriers that have so many pouches it looks like a puff jacket. Its sick.
Those guys were some MEN
Dont apologize for being long winded my man, you are a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and lived experience, we love hearing from you!
I appreciate it!
I've been watching since the beginning. Multiple accounts through the years. I really find your channel unique for one big reason. It's shows your progression of mindset and setup while progressing through ranks and positions while most veteran gear type channels are after service. It shows how you've actually refined what you needed.
I appreciate the support man!
Glad to have you back! 4 months is a long course, did you go to Ranger School or somethin?
Yes, I would like to know what kind of modification you did
@@mariuszjod7861 🫡
As an Army guy, the IOTV never let me run a belt due to how thicc that shit is. The gen 4 *kiiiinda* works, but I've got a shorter torso, and wider hips, so that shit ends up riding too high and impinging into my pelvis, no ruck. Add in being mounted, and there's no way you can get that to sit nice.
Completely on the same page with the belt being for running a handgun and then maybe you add a small ifak and a rifle reload for FOB crawling.
I appreciate the wise words. Good shit bro!
Thanks for watching!
Completely agree with you on belts. I was a medic in the Canadian army and spent most of my time attached to light infantry. Belts are very rare to see in the Canadian army for two big reasons. Reason #1 is because they aren't issued so dudes would have to buy them on top of all the stuff most infanteers buy because our army is poor af and our tactical vest is from the 1990s and complete trash. Reason #2 is because of exactly what you said. They're virtually impossible to ruck with them on, and leaving them attached to your ruck presents itself with a lot of challenges.
Really happy to see a grunt who looks after his TQs and puts them in a pouch to protect them and prevent them from falling off your kit as you're crawling around in the dirt and mud. Way too many dudes will elastic band them to their vest and I'm really not a fan of that.
I'd recommend you get a pair of X Shears, they're by far the best shears money can buy and will last you a life time. They cut so much better than any other type of shear it isn't even close.
Great video as always man!
Thanks for watching and thanks for the suggestion!
You put out some of the most informative videos on kit I’ve seen. Never apologize for the length of your videos, they’re filled with good insight.
I appreciate it!
Great video bro, nice set up. Unfortunately when I was in (0321), you definitely had to have a rated belt to hook up to birds. Obviously a different mission statement in my MOS. When I was 0311, I definitely woulda rocked your set up. Good stuff dog, keep it up.
Thanks for watching!
There is an issued solution to carry nods. Put you canteen cup in an empty canteen pouch, the use a sock for cushion and noise reduction when the nods are in the canteen pouch. Not my favorite method, but it works. I did it first half of Infantry BOLC. The trade off of everything on the plate carrier is weight, immediate access to water, and if you can fit comfortably in a vehicle if needed.
@@brianreeves9404 Pvs- 31’s don’t fit in a canteen cup, I know because I tried that as well
fair point, I didn’t think of bigger nods. Ive only ever been issued PVS 14s. I’ve always fought for the cheap skates, marines from 2001 to 2008 then the national guard from 2012 to present.
Also I’d like to say I’ve also moved the direction again to everything in the plate thinking of how I did things in Iraq while in the Corps. Belt can have holster pistol mag pouches, and sometimes a knife. Plate Carrier and or chest rig have 6 mags, water (canteen or bottle), medical, admin/leader stuff, and 2 spots reinforced to hold sensitive items along with other previously mentioned stuff.
@@brianreeves9404 yeah I’m enjoying this much more
Yep. I did the same thing in regards to the belt and ruck. Those transitions feel a lot as time goes on; especially when tired.
WASTING TIME
Great content, my friend. Very common sense and palatable. Stay safe out there.
@@allsport916 thanks for watching!
Been waiting for this video 🤣dropped what I was doing to watch
@@_considerations thanks for the support man!
@@TheGruntPerspective wearing a belt in Laad is low-key annoying this video is 👌👌 thanks
Glad to see you're back. I've been debating belt vs carrier for some time. Its just a lot of weight on the shoulders. I prefer to spread it out, but im not packing it all day every day.
Yeah it’s something you would have to fine tune a bit
Interesting to see how other militaries look at kit carriage. British load carrying equipment is designed to be worn as a system. Belt kit is the go-to as you can carry enough stuff to live for 24hrs and distribute the weight better than with a plate carrier. Bergens (ruck) are short back and sits above the belt, so you can comfortably wear both. together. I would have 6 mags, 2 water bottles, PRC 354 radio, emergency rations, weapon cleaning kit & oil, HE, smoke, torch, knife, med kit etc, all on the belt.
I’ve used belt kit a few times, I really enjoyed it
Great resource thank you for sharing your plate carrier setup
It helps guys like myself that dont have that training or experience
I’m glad I can help!
Very good call with unscrewing the flashlight tailcap. I carry the same one at work on an ambulance and it constantly turns on in my pocket if it hits something the wrong way. Otherwise fantastic light
@@taylorholliday9872 thanks for watching!
That face paint is army issued and is indeed the best
@@richbamberger0 absolutely great stuff
This is a great setup man! Solid work
Thanks!
I transitioned to a belt because first I'm left handed so it sped up my reloads. Second; we tried to slim down the kit to fit through tight passages with Vehicles and MOUT. Fortunately, I kept the back slick so I didnt have issues integrating with a pack, and I got rid of the issued belt because it was too thick. We still had guys that liked all their kit on their PC. I imagine a Jungle Assault on an entrenched pos; this might be the way to go. Have you had issues with VBSS and MOUT? Also if your unit isn't training mounted patrolling remind drivers after a turn they have to start slower than they want. Everyone else has to make that turn, they'll separate themselves if they don't consider the rest.
The man returns! Good shit!💯
We are so back
Just finished setting up my pc almost exactly like thia cause i was sick of belts. Nice little confirmation video
Good I needed confirmation too
This channel is a roller coaster! From a brit style Suspended belt with 24-hour sustainment to no belt at all🫡
@@P.Shu.816 I’m just experimenting with stuff really. I’m glad you enjoy it!
babe wake up a new grunt perspective video just dropped
There must be a bunch of women who are forced to watch my videos with the amount of people who comment this 😂
Well of knowledge! Thanks for the info
@@11BRelo thanks for watching!
Awesome video as always man. Thank you for all your information, very helpful! Cheers from the 82nd!
Thanks for watching!
I ran a camelback Molly vest with a zipper down the middle over my plate carrier. I had all my kit on the vest. The vest had a couple of advantages one I could unzip the center and lay flat in the prone. Two if I had to E&E and needed to drop some weight I could just drop the plate carrier and go then take the slack out of my vest as time permitted. I started doing this around 2004 or 2006. Now you can pretty much do the same thing with just the plate carrier but you will have problems with the prone and if you want to drop weight so you can move faster you are going to have to stop for a while to strip the plates and the soft armor from the vest then tighten the plate carrier to the body. Not saying I had the best way just sharing information. As for the belt I just used it on the FOB with a pistol and two magazines. I tried a couple of different options for wearing my pistol on the vest both worked well. One was in the usually hip position but on the vest the other was on the vest over the heart. The over the heart position is good for when you are operating from a vehicle it makes it very easy to draw your sidearm if you need it. The drawback is that it may make the person sitting next to you feel uncomfortable. If you are on a small team you must consider what things bother others.
Thanks for watching!
To me, I usually run either a chest rig or a plate carrier with a possibility of a belt. The belt is just a multiplier, possibility for some extra ar mags, and to run a sidearm + mags, and extra utility.
But my PC has most of my essentials for a fight. Rifle mags, grenades, IFAK, some utility, water. Similar principle for my chest rig. Mag pouches that can be run slick or expanded/multipurpose(e.g. spud pouches), big utility pouches for IFAK, water, util.
That’s a solid system
Glad to see you back
We’re so back
I know it's very minimalist, but have you considered the Ferro Concepts Roll One? You could use the dangler for the contents of the JSTA, keep the smoke grenades in their, and use the general purpose pouch on your dominant side for a night vision pouch? You could also consider a fanny sack pouch for medical if the Roll One gets in the way of a ruck, although I doubt it would because it sits flush with the plate.
I remember you mentioned that you keep the back half of your cummerbunds slick because it's hard to wear with a pack. I know that, unfortunately, a lot of infantry considerations are based off carrying a full sized ruck with combat gear. Do you think:
1. You could carry little things like upside down grenades or tourniquets, magazines you don't need ready access to, etc.that could lie mostly flat?
2. You could put larger pouches if your only concern was an assault or three day pack? It's obviously be less comfortable but probably less so than with ruck straps
3. (more of a tactics question) with the proliferation of drones, do you think such a heavy loadout and trying to live above ground in the forest is dangerous and driving gear and training in the wrong direction? The Japanese, Vietnamese, Taliban, Isis, Hamas, and the Ukrainians all make great use of tunnel systems. These also heavily negate the use for night vision due to the lack of natural light underground and allow them to operate drones from greater safety. I get you don't have much of a choice in your training regiment and it seems your gear changes between units, which obviously have different missions, but could higher leadership be hindering your abilities and options?
I just always keep in mind how you work your kit around rucking with your plate carrier on, which I only did for incredibly short movements and didn't feel I needed to base my kit around. I wasn't in an infantry or direct combat role but was a vehicle crewman and mechanic. At most we'd ruck out in kit to the vehicles or seven tons, toss our packs in or tie them down, and ride in our kit.
@@womplad9864 appreciate the insight, as far as the roll 1 I couldn’t use it on the back, this plate carrier does not have Velcro on the back side. And for mounting small stuff further back and upside down and what not, I have thought about that and am making some changes to give the ability to carry nods if necessary. Thanks for watching!
@@TheGruntPerspective Thanks, glad to see you back!
21:29 You could sew in some paracord to stop the pouch from opening all the way
Yeah I might!
Belts are way more comfy with suspenders and basically become like a low chest rig
Belts are only comfortable when you don’t have to wear a main pack with a hip belt, for me at least
Grunt daddy is back!
We are so back
I just picked up a similar chest rig, I was trying to make it into a dedicated medical rig for my wife
As a injured former 0311, use the belt man. Its not worth the severe spine issues but even with my now crooked spine i can wear a lightweight crye spc with 3lb plates with a placard and put damn near everything else on a AWS SMU belt.
TLDR: For the love of God, please use a belt and get that weight off your spine!
@@joshuarawdon4329 funny you say that man, I feel like the belt hurts my back more
user preference all body shapes are different
The McGill Big Three for core stability has helped me. I’m in my 50’s now. Wish I had known about it 35-years ago…
good to see you man
Thanks man happy to be back!
I love Shaw Concepts stuff, I use their full ARC suite in place of my issued USMC Gen 2 PC.
Lucky man
Being able to use your own gear has always been a matter of who's watching. On paper your CO can authorize anything with a memo, but for that to stick they have to be willing to defend it in front of an O5. Most aren't. Rocking the boat and scoring no good boy points with the people that decide their careers just to make an E-nothing's life a little more comfortable is never deemed worth it.
@@mr.stotruppen8724 bingo
If you didn’t have your nvg in your cargo pocket then what else would you use to tear holes in your pocket so you can use the sewing kit everyone doesn’t have
@@m70c00l perhaps I could use some old c-wire that I had absolutely no chance of seeing in time
Please do video on plate carrier!
🫡
@TheGruntPerspective thank you sir.
I don't see a dumppouch.
I've learned by trial and error that in a firefight (albeit training scenarios until thus far for me) the difference between putting something in a dumppouch or just back in place is minimal in terms of time saved, if you even have the opportunity to and are not straight up dumping your mags on the ground. But I do find it useful for holding larger bulkier things like my weapon maintenance set which I carry on range days, my sling for when I don't have my weapon in my hands, sometimes stuff to eat.
Does it not bother you that the multi-purpose stuff-holding thing that it is, is gone?
@@KoenTheLivingLegend it doesn’t, I haven’t been using a dump pouch for years. I’ve never bought into them. 95% of the time I’m either carrying a ruck sack or an assault pack anyway so all of those items go inside there
From my and others experience I find them very useful in very stressful/fast situations. Especially in the dark. Something is in the way of the mag pouch, and you seemingly can't get the mag in, the dump pouch is there. Also when having to do a reload in full sprint or when you are very distracted while running. In situations when you have to suddenly run and gun like hell, and you were just using some electro optical system, you shove it in the dump pouch on the move. Same for maps and radio beacons. Also handy to carry mines explosive wire and such in.
@ in those situations I use my cargo pocket. You really shouldn’t be carrying munitions in a dump pouch. It’s not secure enough to keep them from falling out unless it has some kind of closure. But then with it closed you can’t use it anymore
@TheGruntPerspective i recon you must have larger pockets then i do. Most of our explosives i use doesn't have to be carried in any special container/packaging, and nothing has ever escaped from my dump pouch. But I get what you mean.
@ sorry if I wasn’t clear, Im not putting charges in my cargo pockets unless. I was only talking about mags
It doesn’t look big and bulky. It looks normal. Haha the pc y’all have now are soooo nice compared to the gen 2. Good set up man. I’m glad the days I of being called “a gear nerd/ queer” is done. All those guys always looked Like an unprofessional boot to me and there I was comfy and a lot less bulky/ maneuverable.
Yeah, thankfully that culture is largely gone now in the infantry
As an arty observer, I've set up my Shaw chest rig VERY similarly to how your plate carrier is set up. (shout out to Canadian army bases requiring you to wear frag vests smh). I have the same gripes with belts. Look super sexy, but a burden to have to look after another piece of kit and honestly not worth the trouble.
Edit: Believe it or not, a samsung S24+ with an otterbox case fits in the shaw admin pouch, same velcro-on-the-back method.
Yeah the juggernaut case is quite large
Looks like we’re going full circle with the taps rig
I’m not using a TAP rig here but I have done that
Would the issues with belt and pack interference be solved with a Bergen or shorter pack made to integrate with the belt kit
Most likely, but there isn’t alot of those kinds of packs on the American market
Belt kit and bergen...british mill staple for decades.
Welcome back!
I appreciate it!
I used the same admin pouch mounted the same way for about a year with no issues. You should be good
Good to hear, thanks
What main pack do you run? How does the Flat Pack interface with it when you have a full 3 L bladder?
@@kristopherezell1310 I’ve been using a malice pack forever but I try not to have my bladder in the back when I’m wearing it
I find myself never using my belt because my job takes getting in and out of 7tons repeatedly throughout a field op and the belt always gets in the way or sits a strange way always
Yeah not having a belt can make Vic’s much easier too
Where’d you get that battery caddy. I’ve been lookin for one like that
amazon has a million different kinds of them
@@tylersimplot13 I’ve tried but I can’t find the one he uses
@@aaronestrella5998 you want that one specifically or something thats waterproof also i havent looked but is it a surefire?
Thyrm (website) has some options try there.
@@tylersimplot13 I like the one he has since it’s flat and I’m guessing it’s waterproof since it’s encased but I’m just tired of using the ziplock bags and want something more organized
Great video man
Thanks man
Anybody who runs a belt knows what happens with you ruck with a belt on for long distances. It’s never a comfortable experience.
I see it here at JMRC all the time. Belts disappear after the first 3 days. Usually added to the tops of rucks.
Yep
Dads back
We are so back
Security Forces here, unfortunately, we are required to run a handgun, even downrange. Trying to balance ruck, belt, and PC will always be a struggle.
Been there done that, it's a balancing act for sure. Your leadership will likely mandate that your EDL remains on your body, however, utilize your "mid-ride" holster mount and the QD buckle so that when you strap your belt to your pack, you can pop the hoslter/m18 off and place it somewhere in your pack during movement.
You can also skip the gun belt and use a riggers belt and slide the mid ride / QD set up on there directly. Same thing detatch the holster during the movement, get to your ORP, pop your sidearm back in place.
The only time skipping the belt can really fuck you up is when you guys do your CBRN events, then its nice to have a warbelt/ outter belt to out on over your mopp suit.
For the placard you could try getting an esstac quad and molleing whatever you need onto the front of it
I thought about that but wanted tubes directly mounted to the placard
Gear trends are a circle
The earth is flat
How much does your full plate carrier weigh? Also how much does your mini alice weigh?
@@xNulg i don’t know, neither of them are light
I run my small GP on right side cumberbund behind a double mag pouch. Do you find it difficult accessing the GP pouch and re-zipping it?
No but I have it mounted all the way to the front
I’ve been trying to get down to AA & CR123 batteries only.
I've been trying to do this for the past few years. I was really into wearing a belt for everything when I was newer. In my opinion, learn to carry it all on your shoulers
Yeah idk at a point it just became not worth it for me anymore
Why did we move away from carriers with quick detach on the shoulders? I'm looking to buy a new plate carrier but I literally only see like two options, the agilite K19 or the ferro concepts
@@HiItsMilo I’m not sure but that is a feature I’d want for sure
You’re not looking very hard then, there’s a lot of options with QD shoulders. Try first spear
Shaw Concepts ARC
Crye avs has one too.
@@jki808 It's probably a combination of that and I'm not really a gear guy, learning a lot right now. I just ran with whatever was issued and afterwards I would just buy second-hand off of my roommates who always had spare stuff. I appreciate it, I'll check out first spear, thanks
something about not having a canteen/nalgene on my person stresses me out. i dig the concept though.
Me too. But I’m never without one, usually in my backpack
What do you for hydration? Camelbak? Canteens?
@@xNulg on this? Camelbak
Hi, do you use Foldable or rollable seat mat?
No I don’t. Sometimes I’ll sit on my sleeping mat though
I was wondering if you got the Tracer Tactical Viper adapter kit for the JSTA Pouches😄
Yeah I like it so far!
As a former 0313, thats a bulky setup lol. Well put tho
@@desertrat03 if I was a 13 I would not be wearing that
@@TheGruntPerspective ofc, i just imagined myself getting stuck lol
@@desertrat03 yeah that would be a nightmare
I was wondering, you have experience with the Crye AVS, why did you pick this plate carrier over the AVS? Seems like the AVS would be perfect with the harness system to be a one-PC-carry-all system, and for infantry in general. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
Well the reason I’m not using it is because I can’t. It’s that simple unfortunately
@@TheGruntPerspective oof, the unfortunate reality 😅 I have been considering getting an AVS myself with the harness as im considering switching out my modded FirstSpear AAC. Im not sure if Ill go with any of the AXL upgrades as it seems like the base AVS system with harness would be perfect.
Tbh I dont have much issue with the AAC, just considering the added comfort versus the extra bulk/weight.
@ it’s very comfortable, and really not as bulky as you think it will be
I have noticed a change in mag positions. yours are bullet starboard. As a boomer old Marine who saw ALICE to plate carrier load outs, I carry rifle mags bullet pointed port and have no reload problems Can you please do a video on mag orientation and reloads
You’re not the first person to tell me that, I’ve been doing like this since I’ve been doing it and I’m use to it at this point
@@TheGruntPerspective intrested on the grip and reload compaired to port direction. I'm old but Im smart enough to change...
Just picked up staff and was debating keeping the belt or putting everything on the plate carrier...unsure yet
@@danielkersting3054 I like to be able to carry a combat load on my PC at least. With the addition of the belt be able to carry a double combat load
I wonder if you addressed shouldering a rifle as well with this kit
@@sombrasfc yeah I did, I’ve had all those mods done for a while now
@ yup heard it , solid video tho , have you got a chance to try the arborarms cummerbund .
@ I had the flex cummerbund on another kit. I liked it alot
@ yes sir the frckit
@ will you ever showcase that one?
Still love your content! Quick question, I am setting up my PC similar to yours with the Shaw Document Stacker in the front, how exactly did you manage to do this? Thanks!
@@andrewbunner3591 I basically just opened the placard up and tucked it in there between the mag inserts and the front of the placard
@TheGruntPerspective thank you very much! Miss having you as our plt instructor!
Yes modifications!!!
🫡
U have any old gear ur looking to sell? Im always buying.
I always do, hit me up on instagram
@@TheGruntPerspective i am perma banned on instagram lol
So does your DZ rig (or similar massive belt addon) still have a place in your professional life or has the corps successfully broken you to their proverbial plow?
Yeah I’m not using it for now
I always avoided the low profile belt setups for a similar reason. Backpacks and those do not mix. Have wondered about the big fat ones as a plus-up kind of deal though. You can still semi-reasonably carry a ruck on them if the rear pouches are fat enough to rest it on.
You tried that with a FILBE yet?
@ it won’t work with FILBE frame unless you’re 7 foot tall. I used a crossfire DG3 frame and it worked good with belt kit. I have a point on instagram about it
What about a small belt with small pistol and knife and multi tool that’s it.
What do u think?
It still wouldn’t solve the problem of wearing it with a ruck
@@TheGruntPerspective good point.
I have so much gear I’m building and taking apart all the time to make the best of all of it and ready for any situation but mission truly dictates gear
What is your solution to carrying/ protecting 31s?
@@kevintodd8885 I’ve done a few different things. I’m not setup here to carry them. I would be keeping them in my ruck and taking them in an assault pack for missions/ patrols
I personally keep mine in my plate carrier inside a dedicated Spiritus Systems GP pouch. They make foam insert specifically for nvgs/sensitive equipment.
If youve ever been on a bus getting counts and 30 minutes were added to your trip because someone put their nods under the bus, raise your hand. ✋️
@@beemer32394 stop I’m gonna have a stroke
Been there
How did you get those tourniquet patches on there?
Just regular molle on the placard
All you need on the belt is all the other shit you don't need.
4-6 mags on the carrier,water,ifak,nades, nods, admin. The rest can go on the belt
Resist the “you only need 3 mags on a PC” as hard as we can🫡
“What are you carrying?”
“M A G S”
Let's gooooooo
@@rolandomaldonado8309 thanks for watching!
What brand is the battery case?
I haven’t been able to find it since, there’s some similar ones on Amazon though
Esstac makes a quad kiwi placard. Kydex, 4 mags, PALS webbing. They also make it in direct attach MOLLE.
Can’t find it do you have a link
@@beatsbyryI've attempted to post the link twice, if it gets deleted again just go to esstac website how to mag pouches then go to panels and its there.
Yeah I thought about that but I wanted tubes attached to the placard
@@TheGruntPerspective yeah I didnt think about that
If you're going to be carrying most of your gear on a plate carrier now, would you change anything about your machine gunner set-up?
If you’re carrying a belt fed I don’t think there’s anyway to get around wearing a belt. Especially a 240
Please do the plate carrier mods video
🫡
Having stuff on the front just makes sense if you're a modern infantryman, who isn't a Saw gunner or Machine gunner.
Yeah I’m enjoying it alot, very easy
I keep trying to convince a RUclipsr who actually uses their stuff to try the attackpak belt system and ruck frame
I’ve never heard of it! I’ll take a look
I wanna see your carrier mods
🫡
Pardon if you already talked about it in the vid, only 7ish minutes in it while listening at work. Need to comment before I forget my train of thought.
I believe rocking a belt kit along with everything else would be for the best… Only if everything else was designed with it in mind. I think that transitional period in 90’s-early GWOT from Alice to more plate carrier centric gear fucked over belt kit. We see Brit’s with their webbing and Bergen style rucks doing just fine. But with our FILBE’s, oversized gen2/gen3 flaks and not great warbelts, it almost seems impossible unless you have a long ass back.
@@krumpsak I’d agree with you, I also think a problem is the lack of rucks on the American market that are meant to be used with belt kit. I like belt kit a lot and I’d like to use it. But there just isn’t a lot of rucks out there that work with it
@@TheGruntPerspective For real, I’d give it a few years (maybe big maybe) until we see prominent domestic packs being made with belt kit in mind because of everything we’re seeing/learning from Ukraine
Units are also incompetent and issue the wrong size gear. I am 5'4 and was issued first a medium IOTV with large plates, and then an extra large IOTV with large plates. No chance in hell of wearing a belt, I couldn't even piss without removing my armor.
What TQ pouches are those
@@Stinksbed t3 gear
Do you no longer run a bayonet with this setup?
No, not on this at least
You could easily cram one in between a couple of pouches or in a few of the awkward unused molle slots. Or duct tape it to the shoulder strap
@ I’m playing with using one of those molle kabar/alice adapters in between the molle straps of another pouch
@ you can also work a more compact fixed blade on your pants as part of your edc on an ulticlip and not need a bayonet
@ Bayonet is for rifle
What happened to the AVS?
I still have it, just can’t wear it
@@TheGruntPerspective that’s homosexual
@@JustB888 it be like that sometimes
@TheGruntPerspective damn. Sargent major bring down the hammer or something?
First sausage thinks nonuniformity equals less lethality…
Man, would you do a video on carrying and wearing everything comfortably? (Ie. Do a ruck March with a plate carrier, ruck, and all other equipment.)
That would be challenging. I can say that hands down the best ruck frame for wearing body armor is the malice frame from tactical tailor (in my experience). Wearing assault packs with a plate carrier kinda sucks no matter what because usually they don’t have any structure
@TheGruntPerspective OK, maybe I have it wrong in my head then. Really just how to haul all of your gear in a less than favorable environment. Lol
@@TheGruntPerspective crossfire rucks are pretty good for using with plates on.
I personally find thin, wide straps to be the best for wear over a plate carrier. Personally I tend to not use a waist strap because it shifts the carrier awkwardly and the standoff the rear plate creates for the ruck makes it less viable. As for comfort-ability I find frequent use and training to be the only real solution besides wide straps to make it suck less.
The situation you're describing of dudes strapping their belts to their packs is easy to fix... don't strap your belt to your pack. I get that it's uncomfortable in some situations but adjust your setup to make it workable. The back 6 molle slots on my belt are empty save for a collapsable dump pouch that's super low profile, which lets a properly adjusted and sized pack sit "comfortably". Great video, though, as always.
@@thomasmiller961 easy to say, hard to enforce 35 Lcpl’s from not strapping their belts to their packs.
I wanted to make this video to educate those guys that they might not actually need a belt you know. Eliminating the possibility of them doing it, and making them more comfortable while I’m at it.
Thanks for watching!
What placard is that? And does it come in ranger green?
Shaw concepts arc placard, and yes it comes in RG
any know where these tq holders are from
T3 gear
I know belts are good sometimes and bad others, but I offer the poor mans solution! Kit out your issued kidney belt with an empty butt pouch and your must have belt items, then simply remove the belt from your ruck when you need it and put it back on when you don't. Tasmanian tiger makes a good pack with this concept in mind.
2ed!!!
@@rainonskyusa6263 thanks for watching!
@@TheGruntPerspective You bet! thanks for your work man! keep kickin butt.