PASGT era hydration question

[VogonFord]

So as of right now I've got a completely fieldable 1990's US laodout with PASGT and M81 woodland. However, I've got a question:

Were Camelbaks in use among the average Joe before about 1998?

I've heard references to things like SEALs and Delta operators using them, but I'm going for a standard rifleman, not SUPAH-1337 SPEC14L F0RC35! If they weren't, what were the best ways of carrying extra water in the ALICE ruck? (the 1l canteens work fine in their respective pouches, but they leak like hell if put somewhere else) Basically, I'm trying to remain accurate but goddamnit Camelbaks are handy.

[McNair]

There were larger canteens(and respective pouches). They also made drinking tubes that attached to normal canteens,(i think these were mostly used for gas masks but I remember someone using them in the past at games). Generally I believe you just had your typical plastic canteen.

[MJKramer]

you're stuck with the gallon setup I had to deal with in Basic...
a pair of 1qt canteens at your 4 and your 8 position.
a purse with 2 quarts of water in it (a 2qt canteen in its traditional carrier).

[icebullet]

I'm currently in WashDC, doing moving for a family member, and i went down to a Surplus shop, and they had a Vietnam (That's what my Dad says, but it looked pretty PASGT era to me) era. If you want, I could pick it up for you.. it's 12 bucks.

[Order_66]

Not that it matters, since I wasn't in the Army. But as a time frame reference I was issued my camelback in 1997.

[congofal]

Camelbak's where used by a few guys during Desert Storm .
What i used during Desert Storm was a 5 Quart bladder attached to the Large Alice ruck and modified with Surgical Tubing as a makeshift drinking tube.

[Zack]

Some people made their own, some people bought their own. Like everything else, Joe will do anything he can get away with. ISSUED kit would two one quarts on the belt, and a two quart purse.

[VogonFord]

Thanks all. I think I'll go for the "snuck in a Camelbak" option. It's probably even more appropriate since it's not quite Desert Storm and is more IFOR-like.

[Zack]

Just remember: for an accurate loadout, Joe always does the easiest thing he can get away with.

[congofal]

Common web gear set ups , LC-1 / LC-2 / LC-3

[gunfighter]

I think I saw my first camelback being used in a field exercise in late 96 we flew some infantry types and they had them in there packs

[VogonFord]

I think I saw my first camelback being used in a field exercise in late 96 we flew some infantry types and they had them in there packs

Sweet, that's good to know.

Also, congofal, I have to admit I had never thought of putting the first aid pouch on the buttpack, I'll have to try that.

[congofal]

That is the way we did it , first aid pouch on the buttpack saves room on the belt .