Need to clarify. A "flak jacket" was a type of body protection that was used up until the new ceramic plated armour came out. It was NOT designed to stop bullets. While semi-bullet proof armour was available while I was in the service (yes even in the 80's) to civilian law enforcement, we did not have bullet proof body armour in the military we had the old VN/WWII Flak jacket, which would not stop a bullet.
And when any of you claim that soliders were deployed without armour, I agree some where but I will be checking to make sure, but I am fairly sure that combat units went in with armour (or at least the majority). Most non-combat units did not at first have them. Now almost every single, even non-combat soilder has them. We could always place each solider in a titanium protective casing like the A-10 has for its pilots, but it would be heck to move around in. As TW can tell you, a combat ready unit has never passed an inspection.
I did a little research and found that all dismounted troops were issued the new armour inthe beginning of the war. The rest began to recieve it AFTER they started encountering the IEDs as a major problem. As with anything in the military, the money moves slow, just like the coffee. Here is a quote from an article that explains it pretty well. "Soldiers will not patrol without the armor — if they can get it. But as of now, there is not enough to go around. Going into the war in Iraq, the Army decided to outfit only dismounted combat soldiers with the plated vests, which cost about $1,500 each. But when Iraqi insurgents began ambushing convoys and killing clerks as well as combat troops, controversy erupted." at http://www.msnbc.com/news/1000971.asp?cp1=1 and you may want to read this article from Infantry Magazine, which of course pays close attention to this issue: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IAV/is_4_93/ai_n6362158
As usual ask the guys using the stuff for what to do. All Soldiers in Iraq will also be issued another 14 pieces of new Army equipment from the Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI). Additional RFI equipment is provided to brigade combat teams based on their missions. RFI is a system set up by PEO. Thanks to the development of RFI, Soldiers no longer have to purchase or face long delays before receiving new equipment. Charles Rash, acting deputy of PEO Soldier, said the turnaround time has also improved, to provide Soldiers with state-of-the-art weapons, clothing and equipment before they leave for operational deployment.
RFI is fielding a total of 49 state-of-the-art equipment types in the categories of force protection/mobility, lethality, soldier mission essential equipment, and individual weapons/optics. Some of the RFI equipment issued to all Soldiers includes:
* The Advanced Combat Helmet, or ACH, has replaced the old Kevlar helmet. The ACH is 3.5 pounds lighter then the old model and is cushioned on the inside, which sits more comfortably on a Soldier's head. It also has a different suspension system inside which allows a Soldier to fight more effectively when wearing body armor.
* The Infantry Combat Boot Type II has replaced the older model boots, and are designed to be much more comfortable and durable. The boots are available only through RFI and do not need to be polished.
* Wiley X Goggles are a popular item among Soldiers according to officials.
New weapons in the testing stage include a Remote Operated Weapon Station to be installed inside the HMMWVs. These new weapon stations will allow Soldiers to fire at targets without exposing themselves. With help from those who were serving in Afghanistan, the RFI program was able to get input from Soldiers based on what improvements were needed on equipment and what equipment should be issued to each Soldier for an increased combative effectiveness, said Rash.
When RFI found that their Wiley X goggles were not lasting as long as expected, Soldiers suggested issuing them a hard case instead of soft cases to store the goggles in.
Col. of Little KNowledge, you need to stop trying to convince people with your hate remarks and try to convince them with factual statements to back them up. I think most have just stopped listening to you until you come up wit some type of viable information.
Hey Texas Wahine! Do you know who Major General A. Bell is?? He is the Commanding General of the Wolfhounds I believe. Check on that and let me know. He was a friend of mine and was down here to visit last month.
