The All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) was adopted as Standard A on 17 January 1973 to replace M-1956 and M-1967 systems.

The belt is designed for carrying various items of individual equipment, such as the water canteen and ammunition case which are suspended on the belt by keepers or by double hooks inserted through eyelets so spaced on the belt as to accomodate this equipment. The belt is also used in conjunction with the field pack suspenders, the suspender hooks being attachable to the top edge row of eyelets to help support the weight of the belt and its attached equipment.

The carrier is designed as a suitable carrier for the intrenching tool covered by MIL-I-43684.

The case is used to carry two camouflaged individual troop first aid dressing and a package of sodium chloride - sodium bicarbonate mixture, or an unmounted magnetic compass.

The case is designed to accomodate three 30-round ammunition magazines for the M-16 rifle. Magazine spacer straps are provided for separating individual magazines, and grenade pockets with retainer straps are provided for carrying grenades. The case is provided with a tab with an eyelet for attachment to the suspender snaphook and two keepers with slide for attaching to the individual equipment belt.

The field pack cover is intended to be used over the medium and large field packs to provide camouflage.

The canteen cover is designed as a carrier for a one quart nominal capacity water canteen and cup.

The large field pack is designed to carry up to 70 pounds of existence loads which include clothing, personal items and rations.

The medium field pack is designed to carry up to 50 pounds of existence loads which include clothing, personal items and rations.

The suspenders are designed for use with the individual equipment belt on which are suspended items of field equipment such as water canteen, ammunition cases, and other items required by the soldier in the field.

'All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE)' instruction manual was prepared to help the reader understand the use, care, and the required maintenance of the ALICE components.

Commercial item description A-A-55177 is used in preference to MIL-S-43829.

Military specification MIL-B-43826 covers one type of adjustable individual equipment belt made from olive drab nylon webbing, plastic and miscellaneous metallic hardware.

Military specification MIL-C-43742 covers one type and size canteen cover fabricated from nylon cloth, nylon webbing and acrylic pile liner material.

Military specification MIL-C-43745 covers the requirement for the first aid dressing/compass case.

Military specification MIL-C-43827 covers one type and size of ammunition case, fabricated from Olive Green nylon duck, webbing, and tape, with miscellaneous metallic hardware and plastic flap closure.

Military specification MIL-C-43830 covers the material, design and fabrication of a field pack cover.

Military specification MIL-C-43831 covers one type and size of plastic carrier for the intrenching tool.

Military specificatin MIL-F-43832 covers one type large size combat field pack fabricated from olive green nylon duck, webbings, tape, coated cloth and metallic hardware.

Military specificatin MIL-F-43833 covers medium size combat field pack fabricated from nylon duck.

Military specification MIL-F-43834 covers a lightweight aluminum pack frame and a detachable aluminum cargo support shelf.

Military specification MIL-F-43997 covers one type and size training field pack.

Military specificatin MIL-S-43828 covers the requirements for a strap consisting of nylon webbing, a metal fastener and a metal hook.

Military specification MIL-S-43829 covers one type and size of equipment belt suspenders.

Military specification MIL-S-43835 covers waist, shoulder, and chest straps for use by ground troops in attaching and adjusting LC-2 pack frames and field packs.