Strings/ribbons inside the pocket of military trousers, what are they intended to retain.....???

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Sourdough

"Eleutheromaniac"
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https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/discussions/m65-trousers-244906/?s=2dc58dc359009ecbc268bbd705ae2a5d

The strings/ribbons are intended to tie to your leg to stop heavy loads in the pockets swinging excessively when you walk.
In a hundred years of focused thinking, I never would have come to that conclusion. I trust you, so I know that is the correct answer.

I could not get "past" figuring it was for securing something important/critical that could fall out of the pocket if you fell or rolled down a hill or stairs.

Thanks for the honest/accurate answer.
 
Man, I’m getting old.
We didn’t have BDU’s, we had fatigues in the states and jungle fatigues in Nam.
No strings attached except at the bottom of jungle pants to keep creepy crawlers out.
 
Ok, so I have a couple pairs of surplus military pants. One is probably 1980s or 90s vintage, OD green. It has what amounts to giant shoelaces inside the cargo pockets. The other has GWOT era desert camo, are made from heavier cloth, and has what I would call "tapes" in the cargo pockets. They are about 1/2" wide, attached to the leg of the pants at the top of the pocket. One is about a foot long, the other is close to three feet long.

So I understand it's to secure cargo, but it's meant to go around the leg, outside the pants? I never knew that. I was physically disqualified from serving so I have no clue about how the military would use them. I only wear them for hiking, hunting, or sometimes for working. I doubt I'll ever need to secure anything in those pockets but it's nice to know about...
 
Also, on the desert camo pair, there are 2 loops on the crotch of the pants. What are those for?
Ok, so I have a couple pairs of surplus military pants. One is probably 1980s or 90s vintage, OD green. It has what amounts to giant shoelaces inside the cargo pockets. The other has GWOT era desert camo, are made from heavier cloth, and has what I would call "tapes" in the cargo pockets. They are about 1/2" wide, attached to the leg of the pants at the top of the pocket. One is about a foot long, the other is close to three feet long.

So I understand it's to secure cargo, but it's meant to go around the leg, outside the pants? I never knew that. I was physically disqualified from serving so I have no clue about how the military would use them. I only wear them for hiking, hunting, or sometimes for working. I doubt I'll ever need to secure anything in those pockets but it's nice to know about...
 
This is the crotch of the pants, with my fingers in the two loops. There are other loops inside the waist, along with suspender buttons and what I assume is a watch pocket. The tag says "Trouser, Combat, 3 Colour Desert" with both American and NATO size.
 

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The spelling of the word colour tells me that those are British.
And with the Brits anything is possible.
 
This is the crotch of the pants, with my fingers in the two loops. There are other loops inside the waist, along with suspender buttons and what I assume is a watch pocket. The tag says "Trouser, Combat, 3 Colour Desert" with both American and NATO size.
OK........this is JUST a guess. I have FILSON coats that are designed to take liners. And the set up looks like that. My guess is the loops MIGHT be for an "over garment" or much warmer pants that attach to the pants you have. The loops likely attach to the crotch of the winter over pants crotch. Which would keep the crotch are from being like a diaper bunched up in that area.

I have Air Force "Flight Pants" that go over the one-piece Flight "Suit" for warmth.
 
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OK........this is JUST a guess. I have FILSON coats that are designed to take liners. And the set up looks like that. My guess is the loops MIGHT be for an "over garment" or much warmer pants that attach to the pants you have.
Possible. I just did a quick search, it said they were for the tapes from the pockets. You run the long one around your upper thigh, through the crotch loop, and back to the short one. Then tie it tight, and whatever is in the pocket stays tight to your leg. They can also be used for a safety harness.
 
The spelling of the word colour tells me that those are British.
And with the Brits anything is possible.
The Brits used a different desert camo pattern that is much more "busy" that the US 3 color. I have a couple British desert camo shirts that I got dirt cheap for fall hunting season. They're actually fantastic for cornfield hunting. I'm trying to find images for the tags. I wonder if these are maybe NATO surplus, instead of US surplus...
 
I'm sure Hardcalibres is correct, and I admittedly have no military training, but from what I have read and seen critical gear should be tied to your person or to the bag you keep it in to make sure it is secure. As you said, things can fall out of your pockets, or get dropped while in use. Tieing them to something helps to not lose it.
 
I'm sure Hardcalibres is correct, and I admittedly have no military training, but from what I have read and seen critical gear should be tied to your person or to the bag you keep it in to make sure it is secure. As you said, things can fall out of your pockets, or get dropped while in use. Tieing them to something helps to not lose it.
Except for hand grenades.
When you need them, you usually need them right now. :p :)
 

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