English

"ALICE? Who the f**k is ALICE?" Some readers might ask themselves, we'll give you answers here on SPARTANAT, so let's start with a little historical excursion. ALICE is, like many things with Americans, an abbreviation. Specifically for "All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment" (ALICE). Introduced on January 17, 1973, it was intended to replace the previously used M1956 LCE.

What was really new about ALICE was the material used, namely Nylon. It was designed as a classic belt-carrying system and the standard configuration was as follows:

• Belt with loops
• Y-suspenders
• two magazine pockets for 3 magazines and 2 hand grenades each
• canteen pouch
• small first aid pouch
• entrenching tool pouch

Everything was held together by the infamous ALICE clip, a metal clamp with a sliding closure. Sometimes it held, sometimes not, a backup with tape or cable ties was definitely not a bad idea.

Then there were three different backpacks in Small, Medium, and Large. The special thing about these backpacks was that they had an external frame. This frame is still very popular because it costs almost nothing, is stable, and has a good size for a combat backpack. The ergonomics leave something to be desired, but it still wears well over a plate carrier.

At the beginning of the 1970s, the system was still in use in the LC1 version, but from 1977 the ALICE LC2 was issued. Various improvements were incorporated here.

In 1988, the ALICE system was once again adapted with a load-bearing tactical vest. The ALICE system remained the official equipment of the US armies until the early 2000s. The equipment was initially in olive green, but later woodland camouflage prints were also added. So don't be surprised if you see ALICE equipment in different colors at the Army shop.

The successor to ALICE was the well-known MOLLE System. If you look closely at current pictures, you can still spot the popular ALICE Pack Large or at least the ALICE Frame. While surfing the depths of the internet, we also found the official manual as a PDF, have fun browsing through it.

We have introduced the new SPARTANAT BASICS category for you. With this, we present you the basics that you have always wanted to know how they work.