This story goes way back to the 70's as a start. I have always liked the look and convenience of carrying a purse/bag. From those early days in my youth when I saw "those guys", you know with the long hair and beards, carrying those shoulder bags around up to today. Okay, on with the story…
As a teen growing up, I knew that it wasn't acceptable for me to do as I pleased, so I never did get to carry that bag I always wanted. Well, I didn't get to dress the way I wanted either, so I guess it's not that surprising. Although, I would always, "Volunteer" to carry my girlfriend's purse for her, (it was large and heavy!), as often as I thought I could get away with it!
My first real bag was a small olive drab ammo pouch. You see, I didn't decide that it was ok to carry a bag until I was in the military, go figure! It had a long 2' wide strap so that the bag would fall on my hip if worn across the shoulder. The actual pouch measured about 4" wide by 4" deep by 6" tall. Those are from memory, so any military buffs out there, don't "slam" me! I worked in Supply for an Infantry unit, so I guess I was allowed a bit more leeway than most. Yes, I would carry it while in and out of uniform. Back in those days, I didn't dress at all, as it was too difficult to hide my clothes.
From that first bag, I graduated to a medical field kit bag. That was a nice bag that I kept for many years. It had three compartments and folded up kind of like a tri-fold wallet. It measured about 10" wide by 6" deep (when folded) and 8" tall. Three zippered compartments and a snap/buckle closure on the front. This bag, I would not carry while on duty!! It was a bit too big and everyone knew that I was not a field medic.
After the military, I stopped carrying a bag for years. But that is another story.
