A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom, seat back, and occupant pack support. The seat bottom is adapted for use in a substantially horizontal position. The seat back resides adjacent the seat bottom, and comprises a back support surface adapted for use in a substantially upright position. The occupant pack support resides adjacent the back support surface of the seat back, and defines a generally flat inwardly-projecting shelf for vertically supporting an equipment pack carried on a back of an occupant seated in the assembly.