The M1967 modernized load carrying equipment (MLCE) was to improve on and replace the M1956 LCE due to experience in Vietnam.
All cotton canvas was replaced by heavy nylon and all metal pouch fasteners replaced by plastic. The Metal slide clips where retained making the M1956 and M1967 systems totally inter-changeable. The US army supplies system in Vietnam did not disdiguished between the two when the M1967 was issued in late 1968 and it was never issued in complete sets.
As a side note the US marine developed their own M1967 items, but none was ready before troops where withdraw from Vietnam.

The M1967 MLCE consists of:

Belt, was the same as the M1956 belt but in nylon and also came in medium (under 30-inch waist) and large (30-inch waist and over), adjustable from both ends. The Davis Corporation developed a quick release buckle, which was limited issue from 1967

Suspenders were a padded adjustable H shape and completely adjustable for any height. These also had a pair of hooks on the shoulders to carrier either the sleeping bag carrier or butt pack.

Ammunition pouches, Two types where developed for the M16, one for four 20 round magazines, another for three 30 round magazines and one for two M14 magazines. A new quick release fastener was used, this was designed so the pouch could be opened and closed with one hand. Webbing loops and clips on each side could hold a grenade. Like the M1956 LCE a supporting strap that clipped to the metal loop on the suspenders along with two slide clips held the pouch in place.
The 20 round M16 pouches took over production of the M1956 canvas ones but never replaced them or the Universal pouches. The 30 round M16 pouches where never issue to units in country due to problems with production of the 30 round magazines. Similarly, the M14 pouches were of limited issue due to the M14 being retried from army stocks.

Canteen cover, designed for a 1quart canteen and cup. Of similar shape to the M1956 cover. It had two flaps with plastic snaps to secure the canteen around its neck, a synthetic fur lining, four vertical lines of stitching on the front and two slide clips on the rear. Also a small Velcro fastened pouch on the front for bottles of water purification tablets. From 1972 the plastic snaps where replace with metal ones.

Entrenching tool carrier for the new lightweight (tri fold) entrenching tool. It was a simple five-sided pouch with a single plastic quick release fastener on the front and two slide clips on the back.

Field dressing/ compass pouch. A small pouch to take either a Field dressing or a compass. Had a single plastic snap closer, draining eyelet in the bottom and single slide clip.

Combat field pack. Again known as the butt pack, it was a copy of the M1961 pack in Nylon with a few modifications. The small carrying handle, plastic cardholder and the row of eyelets on the pack flaps where retained. The two long straps secured the packs flap where made from 1 inch nylon that went over the back of the pack and had the eyelets for attaching the suspenders. The side webbing gained a pair of eyelets on each side for M1910 wire hook items and a pair of tabs with metal snap fasteners to secure the pack when mounted on the shoulders.
A second version was produced from 1972 with Small D rings instead of the eyelets to attach the suspenders and Velcro tabs to secure it when mounted on the shoulders. A third version was introduced in the ‘80s with all eyelets removed.

Sleeping bag carrier was a square of nylon with two long securing straps, a pair of metal d rings and three Velcro loops. When the pack was worn on the belt the carrier could be worn on the shoulders by clipping its two D-rings to the shoulder hooks on the suspenders. Alternatively, when the pack was worn on the shoulders, the sleeping gear carrier could be strapped to the bottom of the pack and kept from bobbing about by fastening the Velcro loop around the belt. Though it was designed to carry a sleeping bag it could equally well be used for a transporting the poncho and poncho liner.

Article by Sp4 Rob Brown