Army bans use of all private body armor

[E-Z-B]

Unbelievable.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Soldiers will no longer be allowed to wear body armor other than the protective gear issued by the military, Army officials said Thursday, the latest twist in a running battle over the equipment the Pentagon gives its troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army officials told The Associated Press that the order was prompted by concerns that soldiers or their families were buying inadequate or untested commercial armor from private companies - including the popular Dragon Skin gear made by California-based Pinnacle Armor.

"We're very concerned that people are spending their hard-earned money on something that doesn't provide the level of protection that the Army requires people to wear. So they're, frankly, wasting their money on substandard stuff," said Col. Thomas Spoehr, director of materiel for the Army.

http://my.netscape.com/corewidgets/news/story.psp?cat=51180&id=2006033018170001373988

Substandard body armor sure beats flesh body armor.

[Old Corps Gunny]

If all that the individual has to wear is privately-owned body armor, I agree. However, all the military personnel in Iraq today have been issued body armor which has been tested to ensure it meets miliitary specification (MILSPEC) standards. There is one manufacturer who is big on marketing that produces body armor that would be hard pressed to stop a pellet, let alone an AK47 or AK74 round. The big issue is whether or not some personnel will have option of NOT wearing body armor while on certain operations. There are times when it would be detrimental to survival, let alone continued health.

[AlonzoMourning23]

If all that the individual has to wear is privately-owned body armor, I agree.Â*Â*However, all the military personnel in Iraq today have been issued body armor which has been tested to ensure it meets miliitary specification (MILSPEC) standards.Â*Â*There is one manufacturer who is big on marketing that produces body armor that would be hard pressed to stop a pellet, let alone an AK47 or AK74 round.Â*Â*The big issue is whether or not some personnel will have option of NOT wearing body armor while on certain operations.Â*Â*There are times when it would be detrimental to survival, let alone continued health.


But the military standards seem inadequate, and I haven't heard of cases where faulty or inferior purchased armor was used, other than general comments from the military. It seems most of the stuff purchased in superior.

Why should the military ban armor that increases survival rates?

[Labrocca]

Why should the military ban armor that increases survival rates?

Exactly..so I would assume THEY DON'T.