Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment
Encyclopedia
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
service in 1968 during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The M-1967 MLCE was not specifically designed to replace the canvas and cotton duck M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment [LCE] (which was the current United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
load-carrying system at the time), but instead it was designed for use in tropical environments.
History
The United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
entered the conflict in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
with the canvas and cotton duck M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment (LCE). Developed in the early 1950s, the LCE was designed for use with all small arms then in service with the Army. Deficiencies with the LCE were immediately realized once fielded in the tropical climates of Vietnam. Canvas, cotton duck and webbing, even when treated to prevent mildew, is still affected by it, along with dry rot due to constant wetting and drying. Cotton also absorbed a great deal of water, adding to its weight, and was slow drying; it also withstood abrasion poorly.
As with just about everything else in use in Vietnam by the Army, from boots to field dressings to ammunition packaging, the design of load-carrying equipment was also changed in an effort to provide lightweight individual equipment that could better withstand the rigours of a tropical environment.
Nylon duck and webbing proved to be lightweight, unaffected by mildew, fast-drying as it absorbed little water, and resisted abrasion well. It did have limitations; it was shiny when new; being somewhat stiff, it made a rustling noise against vegetation; and it melted when exposed to high heat.
The M-1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment (MLCE), initially termed Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment (LLCE), was developed specifically for use in Southeast Asia. Its issue began in 1968, but never fully replaced the LCE nor was it issued in complete sets. The MLCE consisted essentially of the same items of similar design as the LCE, but substituted nylon for cotton, and aluminium and plastic for steel and brass hardware where possible.
Nylon's light weight and durable qualities led the United States Army to consider the MLCE for Army-wide adoption. A study was undertaken in the early 1970s to identify any shortcomings and to propose improvements for a new load-carrying equipment system to replace the LCE and MLCE.
The MLCE continued to serve the Army well into the 1970s until replaced by the ALICE
All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment
The All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, or ALICE system, was adopted as United States Army Standard A on 17 January 1973 to replace the M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment [LCE] and M-1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment [MLCE]. ALICE gear is still in some limited use in the US...
.
Components
The M-1967 MLCE has the following components:- Belt, Individual Equipment medium [NSN 8465-00-935-6815] large [NSN 8465-00-935-6816]
- Carrier, Intrenching Tool [NSN 8465-00-935-6826]
- Carrier, Sleeping Equipment [NSN 8465-00-935-6813]
- Case, Field First Aid Dressing - Unmounted Magnetic Compass [NSN 8465-00-935-6814]
- Case, Small Arms Ammunition [NSN 8465-00-935-6780]
- Cover, Water Canteen [NSN 8465-00-860-0256]
- Field Pack [NSN 8465-00-935-6825]
- Suspenders, Individual Equipment Belt [NSN 8465-00-935-6830]
The following individual equipment items are issued alongside the M-1967 MLCE:
- Cover, Water Canteen, 2-Quart, Collapsible [NSN 8465-00-927-7485]
- Rucksack, Tropical [NSN 8465-00-935-6673]
- Vest, Ammunition Carrying, 40mm [NSN 8465-00-141-0926-series]
In 1969 a new version of the Case, Small Arms Ammunition is introduced for use with the 30-round cartridge magazine for the Rifle, 5.56 Millimeter, M16A1
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
:
- Case, Small Arms Ammunition [NSN 8465-00-926-6610]
NOTE: all component items that utilize snap fasteners for closure have plastic snaps. After 1969 these are replaced with metal versions.
See also
- All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying EquipmentAll-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying EquipmentThe All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, or ALICE system, was adopted as United States Army Standard A on 17 January 1973 to replace the M-1956 Load-Carrying Equipment [LCE] and M-1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment [MLCE]. ALICE gear is still in some limited use in the US...
or ALICE - Individual Integrated Fighting SystemIndividual Integrated Fighting SystemThe Individual Integrated Fighting System or IIFS was introduced in 1988 as a possible replacement for the All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment in United States armed forces service. The IIFS replaces the age-old concept of a shoulder-harness suspenders and individual equipment...
or IIFS - Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying EquipmentMOLLE (military)MOLLE |female name]]) is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by the United States armed forces, especially the United States Army, and its use is also growing in the British Army in...
or MOLLE - Correaje TempexCorreaje TempexThe Correaje Tempex was a webbing equipment used by the Argentine military at the end of the Junta era and in the Falklands War replacing the "outdated" but durable green leather webbing used at the time....
used by the Argentine Army - M1956 Load Bearing Equipment