hey redpattics i think you may have some bigger issue's than you think i replied to your post on my namalsk 2017 thread about being invisible in 3rd person. have you gotten that fixed yet?
all missions around here should have backpacks on all AI bandits and survivors so it really sounds like you may have some missing files either OA or regular arma 2 files. meaning you may not be up to date in those files.
have you ever played online multiplayer dayz or are you using something like a torrented copy and just playing singleplayer?
if you would like to post a more detailed desription of your install i would be more than happy to help you out.
if you can post a pic of your main menu in game it would help a ton i can tell you alot just by seeing a screen of you main menu if you dont know the details of your install.