Posted on 07/14/2007 9:18:30 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
PPE stops round, saves Marine
July 14, 2007; Submitted on: 07/14/2007 05:28:58 AM ; Story ID#: 200771452858
By Lance Cpl. Timothy M. Stewman, 13th MEU
NEAR KARMAH, Iraq (July 14, 2007) -- Over the past decade there have been significant advancements in body armor. During that time there have also been heated debates concerning the performance and effectiveness of the body armor being used by Marines.
One Marine with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 got to see first-hand just how effective his issued body armor is.
“We were out doing a vehicle mounted patrol and we dismounted, that’s when I heard the first shot,” said Sgt. Travis Tollison, India Company, 3rd platoon guide. “I tried to find out where the original shot came from and I heard a second shot. I went into the prone position when I realized that I had been hit. I reached to my lower back and was beginning to feel pain. The round had gone through my Camelbak and I felt the water which, at the time, I thought it was blood. When the corpsman looked me over I only had a bruise on the left side of my lower back. The round had embedded into my back SAPI (Small-Arms Protective Insert) plate. I believe without the plate, I would be telling a whole different story.”
The Marines in his platoon don’t hesitate to give Tollison a hard time about the incident. It usually consists of an impression of how he looked when he realized that he had been hit. The guys get a good laugh from the incident, but they know just how fortunate Tollison is that his gear did what it was supposed to.
With all the controversy surrounding civilian companies claiming to have more effective gear for combat, Marines and their family members have considered the use of civilian body armor over government issued. Recently Headquarters Marine Corps made the decision to prohibit the use of civilian body armor in combat. Marines on the front lines understand the functionality of the body armor and have confidence in the protection it provides.
“There are always going to be things to complain about when it comes to body armor, especially with the addition of the side SAPI plates,” said Tollison, an Anderson, S.C. native. “Though the weight isn’t exactly pleasant, the payoff is protection that is combat tried and tested.”
One thing about combat body armor is that technology is constantly advancing. The Marine Corps continually researches and develops new and more effective ways to keep the men and women who serve in combat safer. For now, the body armor being used today is holding its own, protecting Marines.
For more information about the 13th MEU, visit www.usmc.mil/13thmeu.
They should be allowed to use whatever additional means necessary to protect themselves if they or their family see fit to supplement the issued armor.
My SAPI (the early ceramic only style) plate stopped an AK round that landed pretty much square in the middle of my chest. All I had to show for it was a few cracked ribs and two bruises in the shape of my dogtags!
The guy that shot me didn’t fare nearly as well.
Thank God you’re okay.
If good, effective body armor could be developed that would also be lightweight. Would be great for soldiers and police officers.
I pray for all our great military heroes each and every day. Prayers are lifted up for your safety, peace of mind and emotional well being.
Blessings to you and come home safe.
Jane
Please know I am not the man mentioned in the article, but I agree with your words for him.
I understand that hernia repair is becoming a more common procedure at some military hospitals because of the weight of the body armor and equipment.
They can, from what I’ve heard. But they don’t, because if you are killed in the line of duty and you were wearing “unapproved” body armor, your military benefits are voided. I have no proof or links. This is just scuttlbut I’ve heard through the grapevine.
I am living proof of that. I got back from Iraq in February and had to have mine repaired in April. Two others roughly my age had to have the same thing. Between my Kevlar, IBV, weapon, CamelBak filled with water (I carried two 100 oz bladders instead of just the one), ammo, PRC-126 (radio) and whatever else I was carrying I was looking at around 65-70 lbs on my back for an 8+ hour patrol. The guys carrying the SAWS were toting even more weight.
You are correct. Dragonskin is arguably as good or better and it weighs a fraction of the IBV with SAPI plates. It is verboten because it is not approved by the Army. You buy the farm, even it is is a fatal wound that did not touch the armor and your SGLI is out the window.
My son has had some back problems and he was riding most of the time (2ACR) the 15 months he was in Iraq.
Well, it sounds like conspiracy theory to me. If there really was something better, I would think the military would have it.
Good to hear the body armor is working, even if it is a pain in the gut to carry around.
It’s strikes me as odd that the FUNDRAISER add on this thread contains the picture of the couple that are directly responsible for our troops not having personal armor nor armor for their humvees at the beginning of the war on terror. It was part of their peace dividend BS.
Nothing gets approved by the military quickly. Plus the Army and Marines have already invested heavily in the current issue. It is being steadily upgraded with better plates and armor for the holes it has (like under the arms, etc)
I still think it’s a little too short though, a view shared by a lot of people. The vest itself really does not weigh that much, it’s the plates that weigh the most by far.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=any;o=score;s=dragon%20skin%20body%20armor
Glad you are back and safe. This argument came up on FR last month. Above are links to a story and the thread.
Just remember that the armored humvees and body armor issues are the default issues for the dems and the left to attack the war effort.
They claim to have the best interests of the troops at heart when in actuality they wouldn't walk across the street to pee on you if you were laying in the gutter on fire.
Back problems happen regardless. People that type all day at a computer have back problems. I used to work for UPS. I have more back issues now than I did then. Although, it’s probably becuase of being older now. And maybe because of damage done back then is catching up to me. Who knows.
I thought the plates were a ceramic material. How is that heavy?
Trust me they are, probably about 6 or 7 pounds each. You carry a front and rear plate. The IBV plus the plates is close to 30 pounds, or at least it damn near feels like it.
It is covered with loops so you can attach ALICE or MOLLE stuff as well. It does not take a lot to get that thing to feel like a lead weight
Just curious, but is it still the standard for soldiers to carry 200 rounds on their person plus a couple of pineaple grenades and a cantine? (Plus a few other gadgets and gizmos)
Your Guardian Angel was working overtime. Glad to hear you are OK and my thanks for your sacrifice and service to our country.
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