Navy bans privately purchased body armor [View All]

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http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=46644

Navy bans privately purchased body armor


By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, June 13, 2007

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has banned sailors from wearing personally purchased body armor and other protective equipment instead of standard-issue gear.

However, commanders may authorize sailors in their command to use commercially purchased protective gear, “As long as additions do not replace or interfere with the functionality of approved PPE (Personal Protective Equipment),” according to a recent Navywide administrative message.

The Marine Corps issued a similar message in April.

“The new policy ensures that operating forces are wearing the best available personal protective gear,” an April 27 news release from Marine Corps Systems Command says.

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