Is a soldier's life worth more than $650? (Parents buying body armor for sons in Iraq)

JWR ^ | 10/02/03 | Jonathan Turley

[Dr. Scarpetta]

For many GIs, Iraq appears to be a strictly BYOB war — Bring Your Own Bulletproofs.

Suzanne Werfelman is a mother and a teacher who has been shopping for individual body armor. This is not in response to threats from her elementary-class students in Sciota, Pa.; it's a desperate attempt to protect her son in Iraq.

Like many other U.S. service members in Iraq, her son was given a Vietnam-era flak jacket that cannot stop the type of weapons used today. It appears that parents across the country are now purchasers of body armor because of the failure of the military to supply soldiers with modern vests.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

ping

[Dr. Scarpetta]

ping

[chuknospam]

I too would purchase the neccessary body armor then deduct %100 of the cost from my income tax.

[pepsionice]

Its time we all write our Senator and demand they buy the best for our guys. They deserve to have the armor they deserve.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

ping

[Blessed]

The article indicated they will have them by Dec.

[El Gato]

Like many other U.S. service members in Iraq, her son was given a Vietnam-era flak jacket that cannot stop the type of weapons used today.

The Iraqies don't have any weapons the VC and NVA didn't have. The flak jacket wouldn't stop them then either. The Iraqies use the same gun firing the same catridge, AFAIK as the VC/NVA did(it's possible they've switched to the AK-74, which fires a smaller diameter round, with ballistics similar to the M-16's 5.56mm round).

[Tatze]

As I understand the issue, the problem isnt cost, its availability. Typically, one company makes the vests. The Pentagon now has three companies working overtime to make them, but still only put out about 15,000 a month. So its going to take a little time to completely outfit 150,000 troops.

[El Gato]

if this was a real situation they really wouldn't do us any good.

Well, since "shrapnel" typically kill more soldiers than bullets, I'd say they would do you alot of good. YMMV depending on the situation. With most of the casualiteis now appearing to come from mortars and improvished explosives, not AK rounds, I'd say even the old flak jacket would be worth keeping around your bod.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Funny you should mention the congress critters, they are trying to ban non-civillian ownership of body armor...nice guys aren't they.

http://www.y2kbodyarmor.com/ban.htm

http://www.y2kbodyarmor.com/laws.htm

http://www.bulletproofme.com/What-s-New.shtml

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The pentagon now has three companies working overtime to make them, but still only put out about 15,000 a month. So its going to take a little time to completely outfit 150,000 troops.

...not much comfort to a parent whose son died and may have been saved by one of these vests...

[Badray]

"How many vests and plates could be bought with the pay raises the House and Senate gave themselves? Someone should ask them!"

Great question. It seems that the Congress is more concerned with their safety, comfort, and financial well being than they are about that of our troops or disabled veterans.

Who would have ever thought that? /sarcasm

[MD_Willington_1976]

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_RIFLE_Protection.shtml

Depending on the material used:
3.3lbs(ceramic)to 9lbs(steel)per plate

http://www.bulletproofme.com/PHOTO%20pages/Rifle_Plates_PHOTOS.shtml

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Funny you should mention the congress critters, they are trying to ban non-civillian ownership of body armor...nice guys aren't they.

Do you mean Congress doesn't want the military men to own their own armor? If so, why?

[zx2dragon]

I have a hard time believing this article, or at least there must be more to the story.

It's not hard to believe at all. MOF, some people on AR15.Com have gathered and sent over 30 round magazines for soldiers because the soldiers couldn't get enough issued to them. Not sure if they have done so for Iraq, but I know they have done so in the past.

[Thud]

ping

[armymarinemom]

Did you buy these ceramic inserts for vests?

The one Iraq has the inserts to borrow when he has to fly or ride point on convoy. His unit shares a lot of equipment. The jackets aren't any good without the inserts from what I have been told.
The son in Afghanistan needed a lot more help due to his job. The were issued very little in the way of riot gear which is one of the duties.

[MD_Willington_1976]

They are concerned about criminals such as the 2 guys from North Hollyweird that robbed the bank...and it's a lot harder to control an armed & armored populace..hence gun control and control over who has access to body armor...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The one in Iraq has the inserts to borrow when he has to fly or ride point on convoy. His unit shares a lot of equipment. The jackets aren't any good without the inserts from what I have been told.

The son in Afghanistan needed a lot more help due to his job. They were issued very little in the way of riot gear which is one of the duties.

It probably wouldn't do any good, but did you contact your congressman about this lack of gear for your sons?

[phasma proeliator]

too bad we can't send them some of these too. IMI Travor