Today’s American combat soldier wears a backpack designed to help protect him, but which is also accessible and easy to carry. Called a Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment backpack, or MOLLE, the pack is designed to be customizable for any terrain or climate.
First developed after the Gulf War of 1991, the MOLLE backpack is designed in two parts, the MOLLE tactical vest and the main rucksack. The two separate entities function as one unit unless and until the soldier pulls a cord to separate the bag from his body, leaving behind the vest portion and its contents.
This separation makes it easier for the combat soldier to react faster and move more quickly. This is especially important during any firefight as the soldier will still be carrying extra ammunition in his vest without having to continue to maintain any heavy equipment on his back.
Troops who fought in the Gulf War felt weighed down with the military’s former backpack. It was especially difficult for them to maneuver in the heat and sand of the desert. Although efforts were made to modify the existing ALICE backpacks, it became apparent that the 21st Century soldier needed more mobility and flexibility without sacrificing safety or losing vital storage capacity.
Besides adding strong pouches that the soldier can easily reach, the MOLLE also allows for the accommodation of much-needed body armor. Previous attempts to introduce body armor to Alice backpack only weighed the soldier down when he should have been at his most mobile.
The MOLLE is designed to more evenly distribute the weight between the shoulders and hips. Being able to separate the MOLLE into the vest and bag components also eliminated the need for most of the clips, latches, and zippers that made life more miserable for the already embattled combat soldier.
Though designed for three-day missions, the backpack can be customized for extended duty. Lashing straps are added to the pack in case the solider is called upon to carry larger objects. The underside of the rucksack holds the military’s new modular sleeping system, while pouches on the pack’s sides hold MRE’s, or Meals, Ready-To-Eat.
Inside the pack is ample room for the standard one-quart canteen and tube hydration system, as well as for additional water at the soldier’s discretion. Depending on how much water the soldier requires, there is also room for extra clothing, extra rations, or a gas mask. A repair kit is also included in the pack in case any of the plastic buckles on the unit is damaged or breaks down.
The MOLLE pack is made of specially-coated nylon and includes plastic windows which allow for the easy identification of the items inside. In addition, the vest and the pack are also made with the camouflage pattern that is on the rest of the soldier’s uniform. This is especially effective in minimizing visibility in a desert environment.