And now for some thread-gone-full-circle humor: A picture of my old unit's
Mandatory Combat Equipment.
Armor was IBA w/ SAPIs (throat choker and dick pad GO!), side plates with Kevlar backers and armpit guards, and the ridiculous Kevlar pauldrons.
Ammo was ubiquitous 7 mags on chest, man purse of 40mm (horrible to carry) for us lucky NCOs with bloopers.
Misc was my folding knife (my right, same one I use today) and a flashlight (my left).
Battalion SOP dictated TWO TQs in left calf pocket, e-bandage in right calf pocket. Most retarded thing ever. "My legs have been blown off and... oh, shit."
...
Point: Sometimes you can't avoid looking like the Michelin Man regardless of how much common sense you have up front (not that I had any).