Army Bans Privately Bought Armor

[AusTexDem]

Associated Press | March 31, 2006
WASHINGTON - Just six months after the Pentagon agreed to reimburse soldiers who bought their own protective gear, the Army has banned the use of any body armor that is not issued by the military.

In a new directive, effective immediately, the Army said it cannot guarantee the quality of commercially bought armor, and any soldier wearing it will have to turn it in and have it replaced with authorized gear.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who wrote Legislation to have troops reimbursed for equipment purchases, said soldiers "haven't been getting what they need in terms of equipment and body armor. That's totally unacceptable, and why this directive by the Pentagon needs to be scrutinized in much greater detail."



http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,92859,00.html?ESRC=army.nl

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Saving your life is unauthorized, soldier

Idiots.

[MercutioATC]

2. ...unless you're a General (and then you can wear the best armor).

"Currently nine U.S. generals stationed in Afghanistan are reportedly wearing Pinnacle Dragon Skin body armor, according to company spokesman Paul Chopra."

http://www.sftt.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpDefense&htmlCategoryID=30&htmlId=4514

[misternormal]

4. And leather seats in their ARMORED Humvees... n/t

[misternormal]

3. Remember troop...

If the Army wanted you to have a life... They would have issued you one :sarcasm:

[SeattleGirl]

5. "The Army said it cannot guarantee the quality of commercially

bought armor, and any soldier wearing it will have to turn it in and have it replaced with authorized gear."

They must of missed the part about the reason the soldiers are wearing commercially bought armor in the first place: BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY ARMY-ISSUED ARMOR! How fucking stupid can these folks get? :grr:

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

7. Soldiers will have to turn in equipment that they bought??? WTF?

I can understand having the soldiers send the armor home (actually I can't -- I think the Army order is a crock of sh*t), but what gives the Army the right to confiscate legally purchased private property?

[dweller]

6. what is this? the Pottery Barn Protective Gear policy?

we bought it (reimbursed you for it) so now we own it (and take it away)?

this is fuked up.

dp