Modifications to the USMC Gen 3 Plate Carrier

Modifications to the USMC Gen 3 plate carrier.

This video will outline how to take the bulky issued USMC plate carrier and make it into something that’s less so.

You’ll only need:
-outer plate carrier and load-bearing panel
-cummerbunds of your choice, either the minimalist elastic ones or the structural ones
-shock tube
-needle-nose pliers

Front soulder strap tuck: 1:07
Soft and hard armor install: 2:02
LBV corner tuck: 3:14
Back shoulder strap tuck: 3:43
Cummerbund adjustment: 8:45
Final look: 10:49

note
If you choose to use the elastic cummerbunds, the visible portion of the stretchy elastic should be on the BACK plate bag. The velcro by the non-stretchy end of the cummerbunds should be at the FRONT. Also the laser cut molle on the elastic cummerbund should face inside your plate carrier, towards your ribs.

HUGE shoutouts to ‪@localskinwalker‬ and Josh Glomba for many of these ideas. One thing I love about the Marines is how like-minded folks can come together and share ideas in order to help out the force, instead of gatekeeping information. These guys generously gave permission for me to showcase some of their ideas in this video.

In future I’m going to create a video on aftermarket add-one that I integrated with my own issued Gen 3 carrier to really make it more usable and comfortable.
I’ll also make a series of videos that outline what gear setups made my life incredibly easier at each stage of my career so far: vehicle-borne rifleman, security forces, rifleman, team leader, squad leader, combat instructor and now acting platoon sergeant. I’ve had a few LTs ask so I’ll do one for y’all as well. I will also talk how your gear should adjust based upon your mission set.

Hope this video helps! I was planning to release this a long time ago but anyone in the military knows that the training never stops.

Stay lethal folks.

Drop any further suggestions in the comments!