MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment, pronounced “Molly”) is the U.S. Army’s current choice for load-bearing packs and battle vests. Although first used in 1997, the MOLLE system wasn’t in common use until after the Trade Center attacks in September, 2001. It was the system used by the troops serving in the Middle East.

The system is based on a webbing design called PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System), which is a grid of webbing on the equipment that is used to attach smaller pouches and other components. There are three main attachment techniques. First is the Natick Snap. This is a polyethylene-reinforced strap that is woven through the grid on the load-bearing equipment and snapped for stability. The second technique is using a Malice clip. This is similar to the Natick Snap, but it has a semi-permanent closure that can be unhooked with a little effort and a flat-headed screwdriver. The third method is least permanent: simply weaving a strap from the pouch or component into the webbing, and then tucking the end of the strap into the back of the attachment.

There are three main parts to the MOLLE system. There is the Fighting Load Carrier (FLC), which is a load-bearing vest with a modular belt. Instead of using canteens, the Army now uses hydration bladders which attach to the vest. These bladders hold more water (72 ounces) than the previously used canteens (32 or 64 ounces). Last are the modular pouches. These can include a special pouch with an MRE.

There were some criticisms of this MOLLE backpacks system. The plastic pack frame was prone to breakage while out in the field. This has since been fixed. Also, the zippers often burst when the pouches are packed full, and the pack’s straps are a little too short to fit over modern body armor. The U.S. Marine Corp has begun using a different pack designed by Arc’teryx’s Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (LEAF) program.

I’ll say this straight out: I don’t like dice. They don’t like me, either. This hatred was most noticeable a few years back when I was participating in the HeroClix regional championship, needed to roll a 4 on 2d6 to continue on, and failed…five times straight. That said, here are some games involving the horrible little number cubes that are way better than Monopoly. Turn off the Nintendo and put the Mario games away; it’s time to play board games!

Settlers of Catan

Many people’s introduction to more complex games (the rules for Settlers of Catan do not, as with many American-style games, fit onto one page!), the Settlers of Catan has players collecting resources based on a die roll each turn, then trading those resources or using them to build. This game won the 1995 Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award.

Yspahan

Yes, it has a funny name, but there’s a fun game behind it. This game takes place over three weeks; each day, players build up a neighborhood, send goods to the caravan, or collect camels or coins. The game uses a somewhat unique dice mechanism: each day, the player whose turn it is rolls all of the dice and puts them on the board according to their value, then selects one set to take; each other player also selects a set. For example, the first player might take the three 1s he rolled to get three camels; the second player might then take the 6s for coins, and the third player might then take the 4s to place buildings. This innovative structure helps to minimize the luck caused by the dice (although not getting any camels is a very bad thing!)

War of the Ring

As is probably obvious from the title, this one is set in Middle Earth. One player takes on the role of the fellowship, while the other controls the forces of evil. The good guys can win by either holding four points worth of evil strongholds at the end of the turn or destroying the One Ring, while Sauron needs to either control a considerable number of free peoples cities and strongholds, or corrupt the ring-bearer. The forces of Mordor are gathering strength; who will protect the one ring?

In this game, the dice are rolled at the beginning of each turn and give you options as to what you can do that turn. The fellowship player also has three rings of power that can be used to change what side a die is on, but beware! After being used, they pass to the dark side, where Sauron can use them for his own purposes!