Pocket Patrol Pack

To kick-start my expanded reviews of the classic GI Joe: A Real American Hero line (1982-1994), I would like to start off with one of the most elementary and easiest to pick up item from the line: Pocket Patrol Pack. First off I never had this as a kid. I was 8 years old when the GI Joe line was released and even at 8 years old I thought the Pocket Patrol Pack was “for kids”.

I say “an elementary release” as it is a simple two-part green injection molded clamshell halves that sturdily snap together, then attaches to a belt that would mimic European style leather cartridges belt pouches similar to those used in French military in the first half of the 1900’s. Three figures could be put in the clamshell case and can be used to transport your figures to the nearest neighborhood sandbox battlefield. I never played with my figures in the dirt so this was never going to happen so there was no reason to own one. I was a practical 8-year-old.

What is great about this item is that it is one of the earliest GI Joe releases from 1983 and it always great to have an early item like this in the collection.

This item was actually picked up for me when I went on a first “date” with this super cute Mod girl that was into vintage items in the early 1990s. Of course we hit up thrift stores and she found it in a huge bin of toys for $.25 and bought it for me. Later she stopped being a Mod, became really weird, then got knocked up by some idiot guy who quickly left her for another girl. After being super cool to her for so many years, the loser girl had the nerve to be snotty to me. Looking at the Pocket Patrol Pack I know I received the better part of our friendship.

©2010 Article and Pictures by Leonardo Flores