May 18th, 2022
6minute read
My first ruck march as a soldier shouldnt have been terribly grueling.
If I recall correctly it was maybe eight miles, and we wrapped up just after dawn.
The loadout was boots, a soft cap, 35 lbs.
worth of cinder blocks in the rucksack, and a weapon.
By the time I staggered across the finish line I thought I was dying.
I had never hurt so bad.
My ruck had been issued without a kidney pad, and I was too ignorant to realize it.
I was young, so I healed quickly.
A trip to the Supply Sergeant got me a fresh ruck, this one with all the requisite accouterments.
This was my rude introduction to my erstwhile buddy, ALICE.
Evolution in Action
ALICE was milspeak for All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.
For its day, it was awesome.
ALICE gear was made from nylon rather than cotton and was subsequently much more robust in wet humid environments.
Individual pouches attached via standardized slide fasteners.
ALICE gear ably equipped U.S. forces for a quarter century.
What Is MOLLE?
MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is pronounced Molly and first hit the streets in 1997.
It didnt see truly widespread use until after 911.
The foundational bedrock of the MOLLE system is PALS.
In a military simply intoxicated with acronyms, PALS stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder System.
MOLLE is the overall system.
PALS is the nylon webbing that makes it all work.
Sometimes it is referred to as MOLLE webbing.
That stuff is everywhere.
And for good reason.
PALS webbing is the most inspired human invention since the flush toilet.
With this as a basis most any imaginable object can be attached to the human form.
So much has changed since I wore the uniform back in the 80s and 90s.
Back then we were all expected to be uniformly equipped and identically configured.
Nowadays, modularity is the modern military gospel.
In my opinion its better now.
Forgive my taking this discussion to its illogical limits.
MOLLEs beating heart is the TAP that replaced the FLC that could be mounted on the IOTV or SPCS.
PALS webbing has found its way onto lots of applications other than MOLLE gear.
The stuff bedecks civilian daypacks, range bags, survival vests, armor carriers and lots more.
Military specifications for G.I.-issue PALS are extensive, expensive and precise.
That found on many civilian products is not.
However, there is usually enough play in the system to accommodate.
This is simply a reinforced strip of nylon webbing with a pushbutton snap on the bottom.
How Does MOLLE Work?
The end result is inimitably versatile while remaining rugged enough to go to war.
MOLLE accommodates all shapes and sizes as well as all manner of tactical missions.
Gear can be oriented and arranged for easy access according to the users specific proclivities and personality.
Apparently, uniformity is not as big a deal these days as was once the case.
All of it is compatible with PALS-standard gear.
All this stuff makes me feel old.
ALICE was my first fling, and now MOLLE has stolen my heart.
This cutting edge load-bearing gear incorporates more technology than the space shuttle, and it works like a champ.
It is battle rattle for the Information Age.
