U.S. troops buy own gear for safety, style in battle

[babylonsister]

U.S. troops buy own gear for safety, style in battle
Since 9/11, the market for tactical war gear has grown to $150 million annually.
By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

Reporter Patrik Jonsson talks about the changing face of military gear and while soldiers can have more choices in their personal gear, there may be problems since military insurance does not always cover these items.



FORT BENNING, Ga. - Commando Military Supply on Victory Drive here is about as different from a musty Army surplus store as you can imagine.

More REI than M.A.S.H., Commando is regularly jam-packed with deploying grunts and sergeants, poking around for custom gear including $200 flashlights, $150 Oakley protective sunglasses, $180 Thinsulate boots, and $20 thermal socks.

"When you're comfortable and you know where all your gear is, it makes you a better fighter," says Lt. Tucker Knie, an Army Ranger perusing custom ammo pouches and techno-fiber socks. "You don't want to be rummaging around in your pocket during a firefight."

The traditional Army credo is that it's guts that win the glory – not fancy long-johns or Oakley sunglasses. But that old-school thinking is wicking away like perspiration through Gore-Tex as US soldiers today go beyond military-issue battle dress uniforms in favor of top-of-the-line gear to help them get home in one piece – and look sharp, too.

One reason, critics say, is that military procurement, especially of life-saving equipment, is still too slow. Quietly, however, the Pentagon – with the Army leading the charge – has begun bypassing rigid procurement rules, loosening uniformity requirements, and even spearheading technical innovations in gear, ranging from flame-retardant shirts to low-infrared signature zippers.

more...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0306/p03s06-usmi.html

[Jeffersons Ghost]

1. K&R...

"One reason, critics say, is that military procurement, especially of life-saving equipment, is still too slow. Quietly, however, the Pentagon – with the Army leading the charge – has begun bypassing rigid procurement rules, loosening uniformity requirements, and even spearheading technical innovations in gear, ranging from flame-retardant shirts to low-infrared signature zippers."

I say, on a war that has cost more than all others combined, our troops should be already using the most technically gear available and not be riding in FIBERGLASS Humvees.