Posted on 10/21/2004 6:23:48 AM PDT by activationproducts
Due to the fact that my employer seems to deem websites of Body Armor manufacturers verboten I am forced to consult fellow FReepers on sources for the very best body armor available. I am looking at sending some to my friend who will soon be driving truck in Iraq. Any suggestions.
ping!
Anything Class 3 or above is usually a good choice. there is bodyarmorus.com I belive or any police supply store should carry something around a class 3 level. the higher the class level the better the protection. 1 is the lowest 5 is the highest. Hope that helps a little.
I am sorry that you have been brainwashed into thinking that our government and our military do not provide for body armor for the troops.
please be sure to sign your dnc/communist party membership card on the way out.
point blank is very good...
look for vests that use the NIJ Standard
also Ballistic plate inserts are a plus...
I'm quite positive that while the military provides body armor, even better products can be purchased for those who choose to do so.
If it was my brother or a cousin going into ANY combat zone, he'd have the best and I'd make sure of it - whether the military supplied it or whether we bought it for him.
If he is in the military (you say he is being "deployed") he will be issued body armor that works very well. Everybody that goes to Iraq is issued the latest body armor.
I am not sure if body armor that would be effective can be purchased by civilians. It is probable that even law enforcement body armor is not as effective as the current military armor.
start here: http://www.space.net.au/~thomas/quickbrowse.html
And if these are all blocked, freepmail me...
He wants the ceramic plate inserts as well...since he probably isnt going to need concealed body armor I would go with the highest rating
I am assuming he is a civilian truck driver so needs to provide his own?
God's speed and protection to him...after all he will need both body and soul armor...
You want to avoid anything with "Zylon" fabric in it. It was to be new Newest Bestest Miracle Fabric, light and powerful, but it turns out to decay in sunlight and moisture.
Be sure to tell him that Kerry voted against the money for these items. Wish em well!
25 Questions and Answers About Personal Body Armor
The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC), located in Rockville, Maryland, administers the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) voluntary compliance testing
programs for personal body armor. In addition to processing samples received for testing, NLECTC staff routinely responds to inquiries received from law enforcement, corrections, other criminal
justice agencies, and product manufacturers about the testing program. The twenty-five most frequently asked questions regarding the body armor testing programs and their corresponding answers
follows and are provided as part of NLECTC’s ongoing commitment to providing timely and accurate information to the user community. If you have a question that is not found in this document,
please contact NLECTC at 800-248-2742, by fax 301-519-5149, or by e-mail asknlectc@nlectc.org.
1.We're going to purchase body armor in the near future. Do you have any advice or suggestions?
NIJ Guide 100-98, Selection and Application Guide to Police Body Armor, contains important information to assist agencies and individual officers in selecting, purchasing, and caring
for body armor. Recently, NIJ has just introduced two new body armor standards (one for ballistics and one for stab and puncture resistance), and NLECTC is preparing an updated edition
of the Selection & Application Guide. This new edition will probably be available in early 2001. To obtain a copy of the most current version, call NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or
301-519-5060, or download a copy from http://www.nlectc.org.
Also, funds are available through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act (BVPGA), administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to assist law enforcement and corrections
agencies with the purchase of ballistic and stab-resistant armor. The BVPGA will provide funds to pay for up to half of the purchase price of models of armor found to comply with NIJ
Standards. For more information on how to apply for these funds, visit the BVPGA web site at http://vests.ojp.gov.
2.How does ballistic-resistant body armor work?
When a bullet strikes a body armor panel, the fibers absorb and disperse the energy of the impact across a generalized area. Most concealable body armor is made of a number of layers;
these layers assist in the energy dispersion process and help to reduce the effects of blunt trauma, caused by the force of the impacting projectile.
3.How does stab and puncture resistant body armor work?
Stab and puncture resistant armors are made from a variety of materials. The most commonly used materials are made from extremely strong fibers, which can be either woven or
laminated together. Other materials used are metals and composites. As the threat impacts the armor, the materials either deflect the threat, or due to their very high level of cut and/or tear
resistance, they "stretch" and the impact forces are dissipated over a larger area of the armor.
4.Is ballistic-resistant armor also stab/puncture resistant (or vice versa)?
The materials technology that makes body armor ballistically resistant does not necessarily make it stab or puncture resistant (and vice versa). The IACP/DuPont KEVLAR Survivors
Club® has documented a number of incidents over the years where ballistic resistant armor has provided some protection against attacks from a variety of sharp edged and other weapons
(i.e., clubs, etc.). However, one should not presume that a ballistic resistant vest will protect against non-ballistic threats, or that a stab resistant vest provides ballistic protection. Armor
that complies with NIJ Standards will clearly identify the types and level of threats that they are designed to protect against.
5.What types of ballistic resistant materials are used to make body armor?
Body armor can be made from a number of different types of woven or non-woven materials. One of the first fibers used for modern ballistic resistant material was Kevlar®, which is
made by DuPont. Other materials include Spectra®, which is made by Honeywell (formerly AlliedSignal); Twaron®, made by Accordis (formerly Akzo Nobel), and Zylon®, made by
Toyobo. These materials are manufactured in a variety of styles, and can be woven or non-woven (laminated). Hard (non-fabric) armor plates can be made from a number of materials, to
include metals, ceramics, and other composite materials.
6.Which ballistic or stab-resistant material is better?
The NIJ Standards for Personal Body Armor (Ballistic and Stab/Puncture Resistant) establish minimum performance requirements to evaluate specific designs, or "models" of armor. The
standard is not intended to be a design specification, which would require manufacturers to use a specific type of material and/or design pattern to achieve a required level of protection.
Instead, by measuring only the performance capabilities of the model, this allows armor manufacturers the ability to innovate by using any type or combination of types of materials, as
well as design methods, to achieve the required level of protection.
7.What new technologies have been developed for body armor?
Over the last 20 years, new materials and fabrics have been introduced which have contributed significantly to the wearability of body armor. Body armor manufacturers have also made a
number of advances in design technology resulting in body armor with increased ballistic protection capabilities, as well as more flexibility, less weight, and ultimately more comfortable.
New materials have also been developed which provide protection against sharp edged and pointed weapons.
8.Is there a difference between male and female models of armor?
Generally speaking, the difference between male and female models is that for the female body armor, most manufacturers cut and stitch the material to create bust cups.
This is why the NIJ Standard views male and female vests as separate models, even though they may be made of exactly the same type and sequence of layers of ballistic materials. When
a female model is tested, the laboratory is instructed to locate the seam that is created by folding and/or stitching the material to make the bust cup, and to place one of the shots on that
seam. This is done to ensure the weakest point of the vest (typically a seam) provides the minimum level of ballistic protection required by the standard.
It is important to note that this is a generalization. There are many different types and styles of female vests, and ways of fitting vests to accommodate all of the various sizes and shapes
needed for female officers. Some manufacturers have developed methods which "mold" the bust cups into the material, negating the need for cutting and stitching to create a bust cup.
Other manufacturers simply alter the outside dimensions of the panel (i.e., enlarging the arm hole openings) to accommodate certain types of builds and body types (commonly referred to
as a "unisex" vest).
In summary, when selecting a female vest, NIJ and NLECTC recommends that an agency look at and have their officers try on a variety of models from different manufacturers, which
have been tested and found to comply with the NIJ Standard for Personal Body Armor. This will assist in selecting the model that provides the best combination of comfort, fit, protection
capability, as well as accessories and features. Be sure to ask the manufacturer's representative about ongoing customer support, and what steps they will take to properly measure and fit
the vests, as well as making adjustments once the armor have been delivered. Ask the representative for references from other agencies that have purchased their armor, and contact other
agencies in your area who have recently purchased armor to learn about their experiences.
9.What type and threat level of armor should I wear?
First, assess the type of threat you face on a daily basis. Review data from shooting incidents in your area, as well as the types of weapons (firearms, knives, etc.) being confiscated from
suspects. Also factor in what type of sidearm and duty ammunition you are carrying; FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data indicates that approximately 1 in 6 officers that are killed in
the line of duty are shot with their own weapon. Other considerations are: the climate in which you work, typical duty assignment, and personal preference considerations (comfort and
fit). Again, the decision is ultimately yours. The same concepts apply for correctional officers seeking stab or puncture resistant armor.
10.What are trauma plates?
Trauma Plates are devices which can be added to the vest over a localized area (most commonly the mass center of the torso) to increase the wearer's protection against blunt trauma
injuries. Blunt Trauma injuries are caused by the impact forces of the bullet against the armor, resulting in non-penetrating internal injuries, such as bruises, broken ribs, or other injuries
to internal organs. Trauma plates can be made of a hard substance, such as metal wrapped in rubber or ballistic fabric, or they can be made of additional layers of ballistic fabric, similar to
an armor panel. Some manufacturers even build trauma plates into the armor panel itself.
11.Which manufacturer makes the best body armor?
The NIJ Standards for Personal Body Armor (Ballistic and Stab/Puncture Resistant) and the voluntary compliance testing programs operated by NLECTC exist to ensure that models of
armor offered for sale to law enforcement and corrections personnel are safe, reliable, and meet minimum performance requirements. Neither NIJ nor NLECTC "endorse" any particular
manufacturer or model of armor, but provide a complete listing of all models that have been tested and found to comply with the NIJ Standard. You can access this list, which is updated
continuously, through our Internet site at http://www.nlectc.org. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can also call NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or 301-519-5060 to get the most
current information on models that comply with the standard.
12.What is the best way to care for body armor?
Follow the manufacturer's care instructions provided with your armor or refer to the instructions on the armor labels. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the ballistic
performance capabilities of the armor. The Selection and Application Guide to Personal Body Armor contains general guidelines on how to properly care for armor. This document can be
obtained by calling NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or 301-519-5060, or can be downloaded from http://www.nlectc.org.
13.How long does body armor last?
There are a number of factors that can influence the service life cycle of body armor. NIJ has sponsored research that indicates that age is not the only factor in determining the service life
of armor. Other factors to consider include: how regularly the armor was worn; how it was cared for; does the armor fit the wearer properly (most people lose or gain weight over a period
of years); and the overall condition of the armor (do the fasteners still work properly, and so on). We encourage departments to have a routine inspection program for body armor, just as
they would for weapons, vehicles, and other types of issued equipment. The Selection and Application Guide to Personal Body Armor contains a sample form which can be used as a
checklist when inspecting armor.
14.How do I dispose of my old vest?
Check with your department to see if they have a policy regarding the disposal of used body armor. If they do not, there are several organizations that accept donations of used vests for
distribution to law enforcement agencies here in the U.S. Check with your local Fraternal Order of Police. If you are not comfortable donating your armor to another agency, you may
also contact the manufacturer of your vest to determine if they will dispose of your armor. Some agencies have also used retired armor in the door panels of police cars or special
operations vehicles.
15.I understand that NIJ has published a new standard for ballistic resistant armor. What are the major differences between the new version and NIJ
Standard-0101.03?
In September 2000, NIJ released NIJ Standard-0101.04, Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor. This revision, the first of this standard in 13 years, was the result of a three-year
effort that included input from the law enforcement, body armor manufacturing, and fiber manufacturing communities. The Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES) coordinated the
development of this new revision, performing most of the research, with support from various components of the NLECTC Centers System.
Technical highlights of the new standard (0101.04) include:
Updated test rounds for certain NIJ armor types, replacing outdated or obsolete ammunition:
- For Type I armor, the .38 Special has been replaced by the .380 ACP.
- For Type IIA, the .357 Magnum has been replaced by the .40 S&W.
- For Type IIIA, the .44 Magnum remains, but the test bullet has been changed to a Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) from the Lead Semi-Wadcutter Gas Check (LSWGC),
which is no longer manufactured.
All other test rounds remain unchanged from NIJ Standard-0101.03.
A second backface signature (BFS) measurement on each panel;
A single environmental test condition (wet);
Restoration of the armor’s original physical condition between impacts (commonly referred to as "pat-down");
A Baseline Ballistic Limit test to establish benchmark penetration performance of the armor, which is useful for enhanced understanding of its protection, and to provide a
consistent baseline for any future retesting that might be required.
16.Do models that comply with NIJ Standard-0101.03 automatically comply with NIJ Standard-0101.04?
No. NIJ still continues to recognize the compliance status of models found to comply with NIJ Standard-0101.03 to that edition of the standard. If a manufacturer desires to submit a
model of 0101.03-compliant armor to NLECTC for testing to 0101.04, they can, and if it is found to comply with 0101.04, then it will be recognized as complying with both editions
of the standard.
17.OK, but what happens if that 0101.03-compliant model fails to comply with the requirements of 0101.04?
Models that comply with NIJ Standard-0101.03 cannot "lose" their compliance status to that edition of the standard if they do not comply with the requirements of 0101.04. The model
will still be recognized as compliant with 0101.03, but cannot be considered for further testing to 0101.04.
18.Can manufacturers still submit new models of armor for testing to NIJ Standard-0101.03?
No. As of October 2, 2000, all models of armor submitted to NLECTC for compliance testing will be tested in accordance with NIJ Standard-0101.04.
19.Is armor that complies with NIJ Standard-0101.04 "better" than armor that complies with NIJ Standard-0101.03?
NO. It has only been tested to a different version of the standard. The development of NIJ Standard-0101.04 incorporates the knowledge and experience that has been gained in the past
thirteen years of armor testing, takes into account the advances in materials and design technology that have occurred in the industry, and updates the threats which the armor is tested
against. It is simply the next evolutionary step in the development of NIJ’s voluntary compliance testing program for ballistic resistant armor, ensuring that law enforcement and
corrections officers have access to armor which is safe, reliable, and meets currently defined protection needs.
20.With the release of NIJ Standard-0101.04, does this mean that we have to replace all the armor we have that complies with NIJ Standard-0101.03,
including those we just purchased?
NO. The advent and exclusive use of NIJ Standard-0101.04 in the Voluntary Compliance Testing Program does not imply that existing NIJ Standard-0101.03 compliant armor is in any
way unsuitable for continued purchase and everyday use. In fact, such armor will still provide the same proven high degree of protection and performance that NIJ Standard-0101.03
demanded and produced. NIJ Standard-0101.03 compliant armor should not be considered inadequate or obsolete; it is simply armor that has not been tested and found compliant to NIJ
Standard-0101.04’s different requirements.
21.If a manufacturer offers to sell us a model that complies with NIJ Standard-0101.03, should we purchase it?
If you determine that this model meets all of your protection and user defined requirements, then there is no reason not to purchase it. NIJ Standard-0101.03 compliant armor
should not be considered inadequate or obsolete; it is simply armor that has not been tested and found compliant to NIJ Standard-0101.04’s different requirements.
22.I’m a Correctional Officer, and I’m more interested in a vest that provides stab/puncture protection instead of ballistic protection. What assistance
can you provide?
For almost 30 years, NIJ has been a leader in the development and testing of ballistic-resistant armor. In September 2000, NIJ released NIJ Standard-0115.00, Stab Resistance of Personal
Body Armor. This standard is the result of a three-year collaborative effort between the Office of Law Enforcement Standards, the U.S. Secret Service and the Police Scientific
Development Branch of the United Kingdom, and establishes the first national minimum performance requirements for stab and puncture resistant armor. NIJ Standard-0115.00 classifies
armor into two protection classes, spike (puncture-resistant) and edged blade. For each protection class, there are three protection levels against which the armor can be tested. A voluntary
compliance testing program has been established by NLECTC in accordance with this new standard, and models found to comply are listed in the Body Armor Database.
It is also important to note that armor models found to comply with NIJ Standard-0115.00 are also eligible for funding under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act (BVPGA). For
more details, visit the BVPGA web site at http://vests.ojp.gov.
23.Who tests the armor to determine if it complies with NIJ Standards?
Only NIJ-approved independent testing laboratories are recognized as official testing facilities for compliance testing to NIJ Standards. A complete list of NIJ approved laboratories can be
found on JUSTNET at http://www.nlectc.org, or call NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or 301-519-5149.
24.How is armor submitted for testing?
The manufacturer submitting an armor model for testing must first negotiate a testing contract with an NIJ-approved testing laboratory. Neither NIJ nor NLECTC accepts any payment for
testing services. The manufacturer then submits samples to NLECTC, where they are examined for workmanship and labeling requirements, which are defined in the NIJ Standards. If the
samples successfully complete this examination, they are sent to the approved laboratory that the manufacturer has negotiated the testing contract with. The laboratory performs the test in
accordance with the standard, and prepares a report of the test. The samples and the report are returned to NLECTC, where they are again examined and compared to the laboratory report. If
the armor complies with the standard, a letter is issued to the manufacturer for that model and the model is listed on the Personal Body Armor Consumer Product List (CPL), which can be
accessed through the Body Armor Database.
25.How does a laboratory obtain NIJ approval to conduct body armor testing?
To become an NIJ-approved laboratory, the laboratory must submit an application (available from NLECTC) which will be reviewed by NIJ to determine if the laboratory is technically
capable of performing the testing. NLECTC will then conduct an on-site inspection that includes witnessing the testing of actual samples, and the laboratory prepares a report of the test
and returns the tested samples and report to NLECTC, where they are checked for accuracy. If the laboratory successfully completes all of these requirements, NIJ will issue a letter to the
laboratory notifying them that they are an NIJ-approved laboratory, and are authorized to conduct testing in accordance with NIJ Standards. Manufacturers and other interested parties will
also be notified of the laboratory's status. NIJ accepts applications from interested laboratories on a continuing basis. Laboratories seeking NIJ-approved status should contact NLECTC at
800-248-2742 or 301-519-5060. It is also important to note that laboratories are approved to perform testing in accordance with a specific NIJ Standard. A test laboratory must complete a
separate application and go through the complete approval process for each NIJ Standard they wish to perform testing for.
ceramic plates are a must.
Get a vest that is at least IIIa with coverage on the sides, shoulders and some kind of collar.
I'm headed back to Iraq for a year in one week. The gov't org that I work for tried to give me some cheesey stuff that was too small. All they could say is "you'll lose weight and it has plates".
Fine.
After I began to track down my own they realized I was serious (series?) and they forked over some good stuff.
If he's paying for his own expect to pay $250+ a plate (you need two) and at least $400 for a decent carrier.
Want to spend less?
I ask gun buyers this same question: "What's your life worth?"
Us mere mortals can purchase body armor but many manufacturers won't sell to us, just like Colt won't sell rifles with eeeeeevil cosmetic features to us little people.
If he's going on an eeeeeeeeevil Halliburton contract or some other contract then they might provide body armor. I've seen plenty of KBR guys wearing some very low quality body armor. Not many contract officers are willing or able to pay to replace mediocre body armor. They think things like "at least it's something" and "it's got plates so it's enough".
"also Ballistic plate inserts are a plus..."
For a combat zone, they are essential.
Sorry to butt in but I got the "Web site category blocked, proxy avoidance".
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Look for a post by Travis McGee on June 07. He posted a long letter from someone who is running a civilian security operation in Iraq that had a long list of do's and don'ts including weapons, modification, and armor along with a couple of websites links.
I'll post my copy here but I doubt the links will work.
Info from Iraq
From Someone who is Doing the Run and Gun
Yesterday a friend of mine who runs a small security company here in Iraq emailed me. He is standing up a protection detail and wanted my opinion on tactics and equipment running the roads of Iraq; Tactics, SOP's, hard car or soft? I have been giving it some thought and here is where I am at.
I am willing to speculate I’m as well traveled in Iraq as anyone I’ve met. I’ve been just about everywhere between Kuwait and Iran, all points in between. And I’ve traveled every way possible.
I’ve gone in military convoy up armored hummers at 40MPH. I’ve run the Fallujah Baghdad gauntlet in a 15 truck convoy, thin skinned white F350's. I’ve rolled all over in blacked out Pajeros in local dress. Diplomatic convoys with armored suburbans and helo cover.
I’ve done the whole hide the guns and smile a lot all the way to showing just about everyone the front sight post.
I’ve done 140KMH up MSR Tampa and weaved through Sadr city at a near standstill.
I, like nearly everyone have made mistakes and been lucky to be here writing this.
I think the most important and neglected aspect of survival in theatre is training. Every freaking day your crew should practice "actions on" - At least do it on a dry erase board. Actions upon anything and everything. What usually happens is we start going through the "what ifs" and all the sudden every guy in the crew has a different idea of what should happen. After all we come from many different backgrounds. After about 30 minutes of that we all end up scratching our head debating which idea is best and say "let’s get chow". Decide on some fundamental concepts. And stick to them, but of course always remembering that the plan is just something to deviate from anyway. As long as we all know the end goal and work towards it. i.e. If the vehicle is stalled in the ambush, driver flicks it in neutral so the rear car can ram us out and we prepare to un-ass the vehicle on the opposite side of the contact.
So rehearse and practice - Which is easy to say because I am the first to admit that a knock on my hooch at 7AM with "hey man lets rehearse this" makes me grumble.
I’m sure we can all agree that debating your actions on is best done at the hootch rather than on the side of a road in Tikrit while your car is being remodeled by a PKM.
PMS your vehicles all the time. Being broke down in Iraq is like a scene on a bad movie. Been there done that. Check tires, oil, fluid, etc... And don’t overdrive your car. My friend VC managed to put a Pajero upside down and backwards on Tampa once because we pushed the cars past their controllability.
Every IC you meet will tell you he is a great driver. Just because you drive fast and haven’t hit anything yet doesn’t mean you’re a good tactical driver. Go to BSR or some other school. And if you haven’t let the guy who has drive. Conduct driver training. Get the best guy to teach everyone else. OJT.
Practice changing tires. There are a couple guys reading this email right now who know exactly what I am talking about. Realizing you’ve packed 300 pounds of gear on top the spare while on the side of a road in Ramadi is a self loathing Ide like not replicate. Make sure you have a tow strap in EVERY vehicle. Loop it through the rear bumper so it’s already attached. that way you swing in front of the busted car and they hook up. Gone in 60 seconds or vice versa... Get a good jack, it's worth the money. Make sure everyone knows where all the tow, change, repair gear is in every vehicle.
In the glove box keep your stay behinds. A frag, Smoke, CN. The rule is. NEVER f*** WITH THE PIN UNLESS YOU HAVE THE GRENADE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW! Hit a bump and it drops on the roadside. Minimal drama. Inside the car? Party foul. Use CN and Smoke. If you're caught in traffic and you have a bad feeling about a car behind you, toss the smoke. Most motorists will stop or at least give you a lot of space. It works and it’s harmless. Can (EDIT: CN) use more sparingly and never while in tight traffic. Watching that cloud blow towards your car faster than you can drive is not fun. The CN is rough stuff and I only would use it on those rare situations where it just has to be done. And the frag? Well we all know when those need to be used.
Put a rubber band on your sling so it doesn’t get caught on stuff while getting out of the car.
Always do a proper route plan. Common sense here. And another note, we are always trying to be sneakier and cleverer than everyone else. Avoiding MSR's and roads frequented by convoys you know the deal. Well before taking a road you see on a map that isn’t used by the Army. Go see the G2, ask them why. It may be for good reason.
Think about fuel consumption. Plan your stops for fuel and food. Always carry a gas can, just in case.
Always have spare batteries for the GPS, Always have a map and compass just like when we were E1's. Do a map study; make sure everyone in the crew knows the route plan.
Carry as big a gun as you can. Keep it clean. Keep it hot.
CARRY LOTS OF AMMO. On April 4th I went through 14 mags and NEVER would have thought that a possibility before then. Carry more ammo, stage spare mags EVERYWHERE. Like the freakin Easter bunny.
I will never go without wearing a helmet again. If there is a Kevlar helmet, it’s going on my head. A dude standing right next to all of us on the roof was dropped from a headshot. Spend the money get a good MICH or the like. The more comfortable and low profile the more likely it is you'll wear it. WEAR A HELMET. Watching Alcon get blasted in the noggin was a SOP changing experience for ALL of us here.
Wear your armor. Period.
If you sleep in a trailer or hootch, know where the nearest bunker is. Trying to find it at 4 AM while scared shitless isn’t the answer. And yes everyone runs for the bunker. The Delta dude who is always giving the evil eye will probably be the first one there followed immediately after by a SEAL in flip-flops. 120MM mortars make us all very humble.
Shoot a lot. Keep training. If you’re company get more ammo. MAKE THEM. Dry fire. Practice mag changes. Focus on cheek weld and front site. The basics win every time.
The three guys shot on the roof here were all either changing mags while standing or weren’t moving to different firing positions frequently - all were regular military and not contractors. They were doing standard Army range shit. And got dropped for it...
You remember when Sam Elliot said "If I need one there will be plenty laying around" in the film WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE, in regards to the rifles? He was right. If you’ve seen those pictures of us on the net Chip was on a SAW and I had a M203. There were weapons strewn about the roof by wounded and those who elected to not play on the two way range. No shit. By the end of week two here we all had our choice in weapons. No shit. We fired RPK, AK47, PKM, MK19, M249, M203, M4, Druganov, and M60 at bad guys between the eight of us... That was unreal...
This brings me onto this - Train on all weapons. If you don’t have access at least read the FM or TM on them. You never know when you’re out of 5.56 and someone will hand you a PKM. Get familiar with them.
Practice shooting out to 800M. I know, nearly every fight is within 150 but we were trying to bang a mortar crew that was pounding us at 800M's. And it happened more than once.
In terms of shooting. Practice as you did on active duty. Always scrounge ammo.
I will ALWAYS take a hardcar over a soft. Its just common sense at this point. If I have a soft car I will sandbag the floors and jam steel and spare plates everywhere I can. Bolt on armor is shit, but better than nothing. Remove the LEXAN windows from the guntrucks. Just like in the old days nothing breaks contact quite like returning accurate, violent fire.
The rear vehicle is always most likely to be hit. Put your best shooters in there, biggest guns.
THE GOLDEN CONNEX BOX... It ain't coming dude. If I had a nickel for every time I have been told "Oh yeah man, we ordered ten of those and they should be here in three days" Or my favorite "don’t worry, it will meet you incountry". If you don’t have good guns, ammo, armor, or comms. Just say no like Nancy Reagan used to say. Some companies are total pieces of shit and will leave you in Iraq with a busted ass stolen AK and two mags. Some will do you better than a tier one unit. Personally, I just want the above mentioned items and the rest to go to my bank account. If I want a three hundred dollar backpack Ill buy it.
Bottom line. Remember what gear is critical. Demand it be the best and take proper care of it.
Medical equipment. It’s expensive. It has saved lives. The company I currently work for spent a gajillion dollars outfitting each crew with great med gear. I'm sure the bill was hard to swallow. I shit you not it saved three peoples lives, all had life threatening injuries. The med kits and our 18D's saved them. The Army had a few bandages and an IV. That was it. You know who you are, thank you for spending the money...
Do remedial med training. Can’t say anymore on that issue. Do it.
Wherever you go carry lots of booze. It’s the most valuable item you can have. If I wrote a list of things I have managed to swindle with a bottle of Jack placed in an E8's hands you would crap you’re pants.
Don’t get drunk and stupid. Be drunk or stupid but never both at once.
Never let the client convince you "it’s safe, I do this all the time". If it’s stupid it’s stupid.
On the same note. Remember if we hamper our client’s ability to do their job too much. Our company can get shitcanned. It’s a fine line. Yeah you’re client thinks its cute to drive to some hadji's house at midnite for tea, sometimes you just have to do it.
Learn to deal with all the clients. Some truly think that all Iraqis are great people and that the US Army is the enemy. Some will encourage you to shoot bicyclists who hog the road. I’ve seen both sides. Keep their agenda and ego's in mind. Don’t make your own life miserable.
Aimpoints are great. The EOTEC is OK. TA31 ACOG is the best by far. The AIMPOINT battery lasts six months. The EOTEC is a little too bright for my taste. Remember that the dot is like 3MOA in size so they aren’t any good past 300 or 400. The ACOG is the heat.
Buy short M4's. They will save you’re ass. I carry a 18" upper on me with glass so when we reach our destination I flick it on the lower receiver and I now have a decent long gun. It’s like having two guns to choose from.
Wes Grant builds all my guns and he does for some Tier One guys as well. www.mstn.biz and wgrant@midsouth.rr.com. He is fair priced and gets the shit out the door quick and can handle good size orders. Optics, Uppers, all that.
If you’re doing Green Zone PSD a mag or two may do you but if you’re in the party zone? TWELVE.
Speaking of which, weapon, twelve mags, pistol, three mags, MEDKIT, GPS, mpa and compass, radio, spare battery, 500US dollars, MRE , water bottle, NVG, armor. It’s a lot. It’s hot but f**k it, if its too heavy get membership at the gym. This job isn’t for everybody.
In your vehicle. Put a US flag on the visor so nobody can see it until you approach a checkpoint, then flip it down. On the passenger side do the same with a VS17 panel. G.I. Joe will shoot your ass just as soon as a Hadji will.
Carry MRE's and water in your car.
NEVER throw food or candy to kids. there are many reasons why. But at the least it encourages kids to jump in front of cars, smashing a kid would ruin your trip here.
If you find yourself trusting the locals its time to take a vacation.
Walk the fine line. Don’t be too conservative and don’t get blown up.
Listen to your intuition. It has saved a guy who is on this mailing list and not listening to it killed a friend a month ago.
Once you make contact ... Finish it. If you shot a guy and he is limping to cover he can still get there and return fire. Just finish everything you start.
A car door is not cover. In fact a car is not cover. Cement is.
While doing the workup for my last deployment we did live fire IADS and movement from vehicles. It was the best training I have done and the most useful. On that note we did many SIMUNITION runs with vehicle ambush scenarios. We found that without a doubt the single most important factor in surviving is getting out and away from the car. Getting behind it as though it was a concrete barrier and playing HEAT will get you killed.
Don’t work for a company that doesn’t vet its IC's. Check their creds, call the references, and put them through a ten day selection course. Just because a guy was a SEAL in Vietnam doesn’t mean he maintained his skills. On that note the best shooter in my training class was a Vietnam SEAL. Some of the best guys were 22year old Rangers and the worst 38 year old SEALs. My point it’s the individual that counts.
But we don’t have time or money to bring a regular Army kid up to speed. You have to have the fundamental skill sets. We can’t introduce you to live fire Australian peels. We should just review and coordinate verbal commands and simple shit.
Just because somebody is a good dude isn’t good enough. If he cant shoot, think, and move - leave him home. Big boy rules.
If a guy doesn’t work out in your crew but has talent and skill send him elsewhere, don’t shitcan him. Personalities clash. Especially when you’re living together 24/7 for six months. Eating every meal together all that. If I hear the same stupid story from a guy forty times? That’s cool. It’s the 41st that’s gonna be drama. You guys know what I’m talking about.
The contractor community is a sewing circle for men. Remember the DYNCORP guy who shot the principle in Baghdad last winter? The story in its most recent telling over cheap Turkish beer involved a diplomatic cover up, a magazine change, and several deaths.
Throwing a flashbang into the team leader's hootch at 3AM while drunk is not a good practical joke.
Remember how much money you’re making. Nobody wants to clean the shitter on a Wednesday morning but keep in mind you're the highest paid janitor in the world that day.
Keep a sense of humor. Keep funny people around, they make shitty situations tolerable and are like Prozac when you need it.
Have thick skin. Your friends will ask for naked pictures of your wife on deployment and yes they may take them to the bathroom with them. Take criticism. If you suck at something ask for training.
Always remember that you were once a young dumbass E1. You made 450 dollars a month and weren’t allowed to fart without a permission chit ran up and down the chain of command. Keep this in mind when you’re bitching because you’re only making 17,000 dollars a month when guys at the other company are getting $17,500. And when the bosses back in the states email you to have a clean shave? Do it. you never know when you’re going to be on some stupid newspaper.
The soldiers around us are deployed for a year sometimes more. They make a fraction of the pay. And are ordered to do stupid, dangerous shit everyday. Keep that in mind when you are upset that instead of 60 days you’re extended to 68.
And keep that in mind when dealing with soldiers. Treat them well, nobody else does.
Yes, we all work for ourselves at the end of the day. At the same end, never f**k over your company or teammates who have to stay behind and clean up your mess. Business OPSEC is one thing but always share your info on intel and tactics. We are all Americans and most of us will work together one time or another. Some of the "business secret" stuff is corny. If you hit an IED on ASR Jackson yesterday, email your colleagues to stay away.
That’s it off the top of my head.
Stay Safe,
(Name removed)
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