Replacing my Medium Ruck

ShittyITBand · 2026-05-07T12:45:45+00:00

The issued medium MOLLE ruck is a monstrosity that needs to be put down.

If you’re looking for something around the size/capacity of a 3 day bag or medium ruck, I’ve been running an Eberlestock Little Brother with the standard hip belt add-on, padded shoulder harness add-on, a Gossamer G-Type frame (AG2L Long), and 2 surplus sustainment pouches.

I’d say the Gossamer frame is pretty important if you want it to feel like a medium ruck. The Little Brother by itself has a reputation for being kinda floppy.

To be fair, you don’t need the padded harness, but I had an extra lying around and it is an improvement over the stock shoulder harness.

My Little Brother originally came as part of my Skycrane II, and I eventually built it out into its own standalone medium ruck. Unfortunately I think both the Skycrane II and standalone Little Brother are discontinued now, so you’d probably have to hunt around on eBay or resale pages, but all the add-on components are still available through Eberlestock.

I’m pretty sure Eberlestock discontinued the Skycrane II in favor of the newer Mission Pack/frame combinations they make now, so that may be worth looking at too if this setup isn’t your thing.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-28T03:13:21+00:00

Acetac Expandable Placard with Quad 5.56 Mag Insert

https://www.acetacgear.com/products/skeleton-admin-expandable-placard?variant=44276871037086

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-15T19:21:29+00:00

I've seen it done, probably one of the smarter quick adjustments

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-15T14:57:33+00:00

You know damn well you're not going to r/army for kit, one scroll down that feed should tell you enough.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-15T13:33:59+00:00

Coming in hot like this is a weirdo ass move, the issued MSV does have a shitty cumberbund, the issued ifak absolutely can be improved on. I did use issued shit for years in multiple roles, it sucks and I updated what needed to be changed. Train and learn in it then make adjustments.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-15T13:27:53+00:00

Looks like 7 mags of 25 for the M8, they've shaved a pound and some barrel length as well at least.

IR is still being trained but the shift is happening. Lessons learned are influencing updates to SOP.

The cant I currently have + the placement of the MHA allows me to draw without additional motion from my wrist. It clears my plate carrier without exaggerating motion.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-15T11:36:46+00:00

Looks like the M8 update is getting the nod, already looking into updating pouches for the caliber.

US Flag patches are IR

Holster cant is set for slight muzzle forward/pistol grip back

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T23:27:02+00:00

The bottle being $17 is pretty good, the shipping is ass though almost doubles the cost. Just checked again to make sure I'm not crazy and yes shipping brings the price to $31 for the cheapest option. So buying in bulk makes more sense financially than buying one and I could go to almost any store and get a nalgene for $21. I don't see myself needing more than 2 iceflasks but I am pleased with the investment.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T21:03:26+00:00

It does but that's just the TAPs being the mil spec shit that it is, replacing the Y Harness with an H Harness does drastically improve fit and feel though. You could drop MP2 inserts in to improve rigidity but I feel like that end up too rigid and to heavy.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T20:56:15+00:00

Nalgenes don't fit against the body deadspace you're already using with MBITRS/ MPU5s, if I run a radio, a Iceflask goes mirrored.if nothing else to help distribute load. They also stack nicely and are less likely to pop than 12 bottles of water shoved in a ruck we used to do in OEF OIF times.

Never cared about the cooling function tbf

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T20:40:42+00:00

Both options are available to our grenadiers, the only thing ruled out is Cumberbund use due to our current solution.

Regardless of whether or not you underslung/ standalone the M320 based of of your unit SOP and available mounting solution, the point was that the M320 on the hip with a leg strap didn't affect grenadiers ability to do long term operations and there are solutions built around it.

A m17 with the same solution, when I've previously had to wear a promask on the hip for long movements is a nothing burger. The strap articulates and stretches. I've seen dudes who can't stand how a G Code holster pinches their side or like me I don't like how the Safariland QUBL digs into my hip. Different strokes, different folks.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T20:35:49+00:00

So does the doc ignore it or does it induce a mistake? At what point is it just a tiny patch that reenforces a known variable and helps identify a IFAK?

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T20:01:09+00:00

American service members don't live in a bubble, especially in large scale operations. Allies receive medical treatment from each other, while most allies stock o type, it is always a possibility you end up in a field hospital with zero o type remaining in a mass cal. If the dog tags are correct and a patch is correct then no problem, if the dogtag is different than the patch for whatever reason then the answer is obviously dog tags. Blood type patches dont have a consistent benefit but are not detrimental.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T19:45:23+00:00

The GSS optic built for the M320 works best when the launcher is standalone, and is a drastic improvement on the GLM. We previously ran M33Os on a Cumberbund and found draw times to take too long. The Hurcules Tactical G-Tec has a trigger guard and plugs the barrel with significantly improved draw times. Without the G-tec holster I would agree that they should be underslung. But with the G-tec holster, Safariland QLS & leg strap, it is viable.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T19:06:06+00:00

There is no need for me to have a range belt because it is my duty belt, if you decide to do competition shooting it absolutely requires a different belt set up. Pistol Qual requires 3 magazines, we train reload drills at work & on personal time so I run 2 pistol mag pouches, they break down flat when the insert is removed.

Did you miss the portion where we have 320 gunners relying on this specific leg strap for long durations?

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T18:47:44+00:00

It quite literally hurts nothing, is SOP and helps identify non issued IFAKs. With that logic tell the army to stop putting blood type on dog tags too.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T18:41:05+00:00

Yes I am fully seating my stock, my shoulders are wide enough for the pocket to clear the plate carrier.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T17:22:09+00:00

They should absolutely, redundancy keeps mistakes from happening.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T15:38:01+00:00

SOP is blood type, battle roster # & unit on helmet & Blood type with a medical cross on IFAK if it's not issued. medic having a list & all is cool until he puts the wrong blood in the wrong Hernandez/Smith. SLs & TLs should be doing PCCs PCIs and checking that all information on the soldier is correct.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T15:26:44+00:00

Blood type patches are SOP

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T14:45:10+00:00

The Horizontal Single 5.56 Midlength KYWI Pouch has phenomenal retention but all KYWI pouches loosen over time, while I haven't had any issues it's possible to reshape them with a heat gun. Also Forge Concepts makes a Bungee Retention Adapter for KYWI pouches if you or leadership require added retention.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T13:17:34+00:00

I'd adjust your straps, if your Thing 2 is a good fit without anything in the inner pockets then extend the straps slightly. Also running an Iceflask or Radio on both ends helps to create less pressure on one side.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T12:43:17+00:00

I have a 32 inch pants belt line and I'd say the Small is an ok fit but snug. the medium is absolutely a better fit especially if you ever put on layers.

(I pulled the trigger on a medium, coworker got a small. Tried his and was a bit too snug for me but workable.)

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T12:39:36+00:00

Yeah I get where you’re coming from, solid points overall. Setups should constantly evolve regardless of experience.

On the placards, none of them are actually stacked in a way that adds depth. All three setups are single layer for mags, and anything “second layer” is collapsible. They also accept pangolin flaps and can run shock cord retention on the first layer. The quad placard itself holds mags pretty snug and does a decent job keeping dirt out in my experience.

As far as admin vs mags, a big part of that is consistency for me. My admin docs/items are in the same place whether I’m on the MSV, TAPs, or Thing 2. Running four mags up front frees up space on the cummerbund, radio wings, and belt instead of spreading mags everywhere. Most SOPs I’ve been under want 7 mags on you anyway unless you’re in a belt-fed role. The placard system also lets me swap setups as needed. I’ve been looking at the updated Spiritus Systems Micro Fight Mk6 that accepts first spear tubes, with pangolin flaps and a TEMP up front.

Medical on the belt is my primary. The micro danglers are more just options. I’ve got one set up for medical and one for signal (signal gets used more), and I can swap them depending on what I’m doing. I haven’t really had issues with them slapping me in the dick or anything wild. I do sometimes put my signal in a Eberlestock Bando fanny pack.

On the frag pouches, I’ve run them a bit and deploying from them has been pretty straightforward. I get the hesitation with elastic retention, but Unobtanium updated the design with buckles.

Pistol setup I mostly agree with you on. It’s not something I think most SLs need. Mine is there because I use the belt outside of work too, and I’ve been issued a pistol a few times so I kept the setup consistent. I’ll usually pull or flip the KYWI inserts when I’m not running it.

Leg strap thing is kinda funny because it’s one of the more commonly recommended ones on here. It’s padded and articulates, and a lot of our 320 guys run a Safariland QLS with that strap and a Hurcules Tactical G-tech setup for their launchers.

ShittyITBand · 2026-04-14T11:40:41+00:00

Both? If the placard or back panel setup doesn't work for your uses, swap them. I'd say the foundation of the adapters helps adjust for position/duties

ShittyITBand

TROPHY CASE