3. Suspenders (item 3 of fig. 2-2). The olive drab
been designed to make the job of carrying the
webbed suspenders, with the pistol belt, make up
equipment you need easier and more comfortable.
the basic individual fighting load equipment, as the
There are certain rules, however, that must be
remaining components are suspended from them.
followed when the equipment is to do the job for
The suspenders can be adjusted by means of the
which it is intended. When the rules listed below are
clamp type of buckle. Suspenders are issued in
followed, individual loads can be carried with more
three sizes: regular, long, and extra long. If you are
ease and comfort.
under 68 inches tall without shoes, wear the regular
Rules for carrying equipment.
size. If over 68 inches, wear the large size. If you
are tall or broad chested or intend wearing them
Keep your load as light as possible.
over outer garments or the armored vest or both,
Know your equipment.
wear the extra large size. When you have the time,
you should try them on first.
Assemble the equipment correctly.
4. Entrenching tool carrier (item 4 of fig. 2-2). The
Keep every item in its proper place.
entrenching tool carrier is olive drab in color and is
attached to the pistol belt by means of two clips
1. Pistol belt (item 1 of fig. 2-2). The olive drab
located on the back.
webbed pistol belt, M-1956, has a special ball type of
fastener that makes the belt easier to put on and take
5. Canteen cover (item 5 of fig. 2-2). The olive
off. The belt uses eyelets for attachment purposes and
drab canteen cover has either a pile or felt lining and
has sliding keepers to prevent the belt hooks from
is attached to the pistol belt by means of two clips
becoming unfastened after adjustment to the waist of
located on the back of the cover. The canteen cover
the wearer. The pistol belt helps to carry the
accommodates the canteen and canteen cup. During
entrenching tool and carrier, the ammunition pouches,
warm weather, the lining should be kept wet to help
the canteen and cover, and the first-aid or compass
keep the water cool. The cover should be kept dry
case. It is issued in two sizes: medium and large.
during cold weather, as the lining helps to protect the
Medium is the size for waist measurements under 30
water inside from freezing.
inches; large is the size for waist measurements of 30
6. First-aid case (item 6 of fig. 2-2). The olive
inches or more. The proper-size belt can be adjusted
drab first-aid case is attached to the pistol belt by
to fit over all layers of outer clothing, including the
means of a clip located on the back The case is closed
armored vest.
by means of a flap that is secured by a glove type of
fastener. The first-aid case is used either to carry a
2. Ammunition pouches (item 2 of fig. 2-2). Each
field dressing or an unmounted magnetic compass.
small-arms ammunition pouch is 4 1/4 inches wide,
6 1/4 inches high, and 2 1/2 inches deep. Plastic
The method for assembling the individual
stiffeners are provided in the back of each pouch,
fighting load equipment is described below in the
so the clips of ammunition can be easily inserted
sequence normally followed.
and removed. There are two attaching clips and
supporting straps on the back of the pouch, so they
can be fastened to the pistol belt and to the
Adjusting the Pistol Belt
suspenders. (See fig. 2-5.) Both sides of each
First, try on the belt for size. It should be
ammunition pouch have attachments for carrying
comfortable y snugnot tight. The following six steps
hand grenades. The pouches are designed to carry
in adjusting the pistol belt correspond to the six
any of the basic loads of ammunition; however,
actions shown in figure 2-3:
with special weapons it may be necessary to carry
more ammunition than the pouches can hold. When
1. Push the two metal keepers between the
extra ammunition is needed, bandoleers of ammo
adjusting clamp and the belt buckle toward the
may be carried in a cross-chest manner. To place
buckle.
bandoleers in pouches, make a neat bundle by
2. Unlock the adjusting clamp by spreading the
folding the bandoleers accordion fashion and
looped webbing apart.
placing them in the pouches with the bandoleer
strap on the top. This method permits the bandoleer
3. Slide the clamp toward the belt buckle to
to be inserted and removed easily.
loosen or away from the buckle to tighten.
2-4
