Here's something epic! Compact and low-profile assault pack of the US Marines that integrates on the back panel of the vest or plate carrier. It stays snuggly on your back and doesn’t easily get caught on things, no matter how action-packed the conditions are. It can carry a water reservoir, breaching tools, and some other essential gear for short missions. There is also PALS webbing on the outside for additional gear. If you have been saving for our Assaulter Back Panel but aren’t there yet, here’s a pretty similar concept but at a nice surplus price. When new, this also costs helluva lot more.

Modular Assault Pack (MAP) is part of the USMC Full Spectrum Battle Equipment (FSBE) that replaced the Close Quarters Battle Equipment (CQBE) Assault Vest System in 2000. FSBE reduced the component weight, provided a single point of release mechanism, and came with an integrated breathing and flotation system.

This pack is used at least by the USMC Force Recon community, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams (FAST), and MEU (SOC) Helicopter Assault Companies. Tough war-proof gear of the USMC elite troops.

Features

Two zippered compartments; both of the zippers have two pulls, and both compartments have a drainage grommet at the bottom. The main compartment has an open mesh pocket for the water reservoir. At the upper corners of the compartment, there are openings for the reservoir hose. The mesh pocket and the openings can also be used for a radio and its antenna. Inside the main compartment, there are also black elastic loops for breaching tools and such.

Furthermore, the pack has a flat full-length pocket with a hook & loop closure as well as a c. 10 x 14.5 cm (3.9" x 5.7") hook & loop slot for flags, patches, and insignia. There is PALS webbing on the sides and the bottom of the pack for extra gear. The pack also features two SR buckled cinch straps for ensuring a snug fit.

These are designed to be attached to a plate carrier and similar PALS systems with the two molle straps found on the backside. Thus, these don’t come with any shoulder straps, but with some ingenuity, you can make such straps if you want.

The ones we checked didn’t have any manufacturer logos, but these have been made at least by Eagle Industries and LBT. Since this is official US military gear, it is most likely made in the USA.

NSN number: 8470-01-516-8452.

Condition

Used US Marine Corps surplus. The condition varies from very little used to more used packs. They are all still perfectly serviceable. There might be small stains and other signs of use, plus you might have to replace the fabric tabs at the end of zipper pulls, but that is an easy fix.