Army Bans Privately Bought Armor Options

[Hartmann]

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2006/03/30/1...ly-bought-armor

Interesting and I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand I think that anything that a soldier does to protect himself better should be encouraged. On the other, I can understand the Army wanting to make sure what soldiers are wearing is the best thing out there. (Though they should have thought about that long ago, when reservists didn't have body armor at all)

The Marine Corps has not implemented a similar ban but they "encourage" the use of standard issue armor.

[Hartmann]

actually the reservists did have body armor...only it was the 90's flak jacket version.

no ballistic/trauma plates...just protection from shrapnel.

I understand the want for those plates, but man this is a brand new deal. find me one bulletproof vest with plates in the gulf war and I'll show you a specops outfit. the other 99% wore flaks.

I guess the army can do whatever the fuck they want...I mean if they're now getting top-notch vests, then hey save your grand+ for other shit.

It's been reported that some reserve units went in with no armor/flak jackets at all. I don't know how true that is (I quite frankly don't believe it) but that's why I wrote it.

I just feel like if these guys are spilling blood they should be given the best opportunity to survive an attack.