The Modern Minuteman's PATROL LOADOUT utilizing the Smersh LBE.

This is the next video in my Loadout Series going over the gear in my basic Patrol Kit and explaining why I have chosen certain pieces of gear and how it works for me!

If you want to skip the intro and get into the gear then skip ahead to the 3:30 mark of the video...

Previous videos with gear seen in this video:

IFAK insert...

Intro to my Patrol Kit...

Links for gear seen in this video:

SSO Smersh AK rig...

Tough Possum Gear pouches...

Smoke Grenades...

Inspiration for this rig and loadout all started with Ivarr Bermann and Blackhills over at Evasion Survival, Alaska:

[mikebingham]

I’m 69, ex-military, backpacker, camper and 30 yr trauma nurse so my gear is based on that. I go as light as possible and use what I have. I use a chest rig no plate and small pack, poncho, heavy duty zip-lock bags, 6 mags, sidearm stuff, fixed blade, headlamp always around my neck, glasses, small med kit, H2O/snacks, binoculars, radio, gps/compass and stuff on my person. That’s it...speed and weight.

[prepperbookclub]

I am glad YouTube is serving up all these old videos.

[pennsyltuckyreb]

The SMERSH LBE or old 782 setup is where it's at. Chest rigs and plate carrier rigs was the thing for awhile because of GWOT but folks don't realize that was simply an adaption done to accommodate armored vehicle patrols where most of your day was inside a vehicle. You can still get in and operate a vehicle with the SMERSH although certainly not as comfortably depending on how much gear you have stuffed into it.

For the minuteman/guerrilla, the chest/molle/plate carrier rig becomes problematic on several levels, especially when walking many miles over rough terrain.

Taliban usually preferred various models of vest type rigs or the old school Chinese chest rigs that they would simply sling around their backs, off their chests, for foot travel....essentially mimicking a proper LBE. The human body is the human body. The LBE is the best configuration for being on foot.

Just to add with the SMERSH, if for whatever reasons the LBE is becoming cumbersome or in the way for whatever reasons, you can simply strip it down to the belt, quickly feed it through the mag pouches, and wear the belt cross chest carry around your shoulder with the ability to easily swing the mags to your back or to the front as a sort of makeshift chest rig/bandoleer. Because the belt is really solid it actually is fairly comfortable.

If you're a "big" guy there's probably not enough belt length to pull that off but if you're a serious minuteman....start getting skinny yesterday. Seriously. All of this is completely pointless if you're out of shape.

[Racker]

Well thought out kit. A couple of suggestions: 1. Depending upon the volume of your smoke gernades, you may need to double the number in order to mask movement. 2. I use a brown primer paint on the lower portion of the magazines (below the mag well). Your reddish mags are a fair size mass that, if spotted when in the AK in front of your body, can become an aiming point. Another advantage to paint is I number my mags so, if I have a jam, etc., I can tell at a glance which mag I need to check for reliability. 3. With thermal becoming more common, you might want to include a camo/mylar poncho tarp. It works in normal times as a rain diverted and can assist in making a block to a thermal detection issue. 4. In situations where you will wearing this gear, I would suggest at least two pairs of socks to match the season and a wool sweater or fleece to wear under the windbreaker (when trying to rest or sleep...layers). You obviously have thought out carrying a pistol. Good job and thanks for sharing.

[jerryrichards]

Very nice pack set up.
One thing I did was to keep triple mag pouches on the outside bag instead of inside.
If you need to get to that ammo your probably in a gunfight or running gunfights ok it's nice be able to reach those mags in a hurry.
I have been looking at those Russian web gear set up.
Thank you for sharing.

[newschwarz]

I never have a loadout without an e tool
On excersises I always carried mine and kinda got laughed at for carrying extra weight, but then people always needed it and borrowed mine for a lot of things
Best multi purpose tool we got issued

[jwgbmp]

Nice job. The H harness, belt, fanny pack is likened to what we wore in the first Gulf War. 782 gear we called it. It works, I still use similiar set up for all day deer hunts in upper Michigan.

[ZaxCal]

Something to consider for anyone who owns one of these specific Smersh rigs is that the back can accommodate a water bladder pouch. I used a condor one. There are little holes on the metal strap pieces you can fit a zip tie to and put that through the molle on the pouch and it fits perfectly. Or you could use really small karabiners. Either way it works.

[BB-nwcs]

Really like your setup. Also glad to see you included a cleaning kit, many more modern Youtubers leave those out - perhaps because they fought during the day and was back in camp at night. I also like the fact that your compass is on your body and on a string, like your pocket knife. We used to tie everything down and attach it with paracord inner strands and fishing swivels to our LBE. I also noticed the absence of a handgun. We would pack ours in the big utility pouch as it is a secondary weapon only to be used when your main weapon is totally out of comission. First prize is always to fix your main weapon. Using an AK, you probably would not have much of an issue with this. I would add a small emergency ration, (sardines or a freeze dried meal) should your patrol unexpectedly be extended. Also a small container of salt to cook anything you may trap should you have to E&E. A small signal mirror can also be very useful to attract attention or to warn your group. Lastly, a method to deal with natures calls, something to dig and bury human waste (you fixed blade knife could be used for this in a pinch) and something to clean your person (squirt bottle if you have lots of water in your area, otherwise TP or wipes)

[joemama.]

I run pretty much the same kit except I always put my poncho on the outside of the pack so it doesnt take as much space, inside I also carry an ultralight hammock. that way I can sleep almost anywhere without getting wet if it rains

[TheTyrial]

I like the LBE stuff because of where I live. I have thought about armor and what to wear in the winter and how it would integrate.

I was a Marine in 08-13 and using a plate carrier on top of winter clothing was horrible. Gortex would make you drip sweat and I felt like I was wearing my gear wrong.

I like slick body armor, with a belt setup or a chest rig set up. That way I can wear armor under a coat, parka, etc. And have my gear on the outside, still accessible for this reason. It also adds the ability to adapt to situations that we might encounter as regular people.

[SurvivorMetalMan]

Excellent set up! The SMERSH gear is great stuff!

[mediclimber]

Nice set up for your kit. I run old school 'Nam era web gear, belt, "H" suspenders, butt pack, 4 canteens and covers, 4 30 rnd mag pouches. Good base, for me anyway, to work from.

[jeffbrown]

I am so glad some of the creators are starting to get this. This type of load out is perfect for the modern minuteman and the role and support he will provide. It provides everything he needs and is relatively inexpensive. You can buy or build the basic kit for $100 or less, that said every modern minuteman should have one. Keep up the great content!

[mowater]

Bravo- Very well planned and thought out. Like the Rig

[matt]

just found this rig and ordered it, looks great for an AK setup! thanks for the info.

[Ivarr.Bergmann.Alaska]

Its been excellent to see your evolution- For that I thank you!

[bizzlesnach]

I love the smersh rigs. I am also a friend of Ivar's, I was pleasantly surprised to hear you mention his name.
I ran mine off of an american molle padded tactical belt, I think from Tasmanian Tiger, and then have run mostly smersh kit from Grey shop after that, I am never disappointed with them.

[wiredwrong]

This is a great set up I will be using some of your idea on completing mine!!

[mdog]

Great vid, perfect length for my morning rowing machine workout !
Personally I’m an army of one lol I don’t have any buddies into this kind of thing and no one I know is interested in getting into it. I’m up in western Canada and do a lot of hunting, hiking, camping, scouting all solo. It’s interesting to see other peoples setups and ideas/opinions/experiences so I can bounce them off my own setup and ideas. I also follow your posts and threads on bushcraftUSA, there’s a lot of good info on them as well.