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.
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".