[DesertMan]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here, and I just have a quick question that I can't find the answer to:

I purchased a military surplus MOLLE II US Army Assault Pack backpack with some extra freebies, and one of them was the US Army MOLLE II Hydration System Carrier (the pack that the bladder goes in).

According to the description where I bought it, the Hydration System Carrier can attach to (or go into, not sure) the backpack. It can also function as a standalone backpack on its own.

There are so many clasps and straps on both (I get the impression though, that some of the attachment points on the Hydration Carrier are meant for attaching it to different things), but I'm fairly certain that it is designed to be positioned between the backpack (the Assault Pack) and the wearer's back. There is a small, fairly thin compartment that is exposed from the outside, and I thought it was meant to go in there, but I'm now uncertain, as I feel like it would put too much pressure on the bladder. I'm not thinking that compartment may be a plate carrier or something. There is also a thin compartment in the main compartment that has a removable padded support, some canvas straps (I think in case the main ones break, since there are 2 slots they fit perfectly through with velcro, though maybe they are to tie the pack down, idk). I though maybe it possibly was designed to go in there.

The Hydration Carrier is taller than the backpack though, so I think it must be designed to attach to the outside somewhere.

Besides the main straps on the hydration system carrier, there are also some D-clasps and some loops, not sure if they are for tbis purpose, or perhaps attaching to a LCV.

Does anyone have any idea of the correct way to attach the two? Any help would be appreciated!

Also, does anyone know if there is possibly an Army manual available for either the Assault Pack, the Hydration Carrier, or both? And if so, where I might be able to find it? (preferably online, but I would order a physical copy too if I had to). I know the Army makes manuals for everything, so I gotta believe it exists somewhere.

If anything, any suggestions as to where on the backpack it would most likely attach would be useful too! (As in between the backpack and my back, the rear, inside, outside, etc.)

THANKS SO MUCH!

 

[Jlrhiner]

I'm old and we didn't have all this neat stuff, but I think theres a slot on the pack itself that the bladder slides into. The extra carry pack is for attaching to your plate carrier or LBV.

We've got several young Vets on the Forum, one of them will be along in a bit to correct the Boomer.....

 

[the labyrinth]

Can't help ya, BUT Welcome to the SB from Michigan !

 

[DesertMan]

Thanks for the info jlrhiner! That does actually help (at least helps confirm what I thought at first and then started second guessing myself about).

And thanks for the welcome the labyrinth!

 

[kayakjohn]

I use Grimloc carabiner to attach a lot of things to my gear, works great! I think they are rated to 28 lbs. They aren't too expensive, buy in multi packs. I use them on my shoulder strap or carrier to hold my hat & gloves, I use them to hold my monocular in front. On the inside there's a channel to hold on to the Molly strap then the carabiner opens to hold what you need so it'll never fall off even if the D ring is open. Just a lot of good uses.

 

[ajole]

Aren't there "ports" or holes for the drink tube to come out of?
Not 100% sure, but I think you take the bladder out of the carrier to put it into the assault pack.

Those canvas straps inside that go outside through slots are, IIRC, for airborn use.