Reply #73: The root cause and why you are all making mistakes in your logic..

[BrentWill1]

I have reread this thread and I believe that I have come to the problem. The problem as I see it is the ignorant think this is a panacea. There is no such thing as armor that can't be defeated. Hell, they even managed to do a couple of Abrams tanks.

The judicious use of the appropriate ballistic protection is a very good thing if the mission dictates it. Attempts to reduce casualties to zero by creating Michelin Men and Bubble Boys isn't.

Reading the thread, I am laughing at the opinions from those who are ignorant on this subject. The question cannot be left to the individual soldier. That very thought is ridiculous. Most people don't know enough about armor to make the decision and they won't educate themselves. Hell, a lot of them don't even know how to put it on right - just look at the pics coming from over there. Same with holsters and other kit. I see pics all the time of pogues wearing leg holsters around the ankles and shoulder rigs around their waists. It is a lot like some people on here discussing COIN and small war.

No one goes into theater without being issued the current standard. Nobody. Compliance is another issue. That is up to the individual commander to enforce.

To me, a good analogy is IT. Look how long it takes for a corporation to move up to a new operating system - why is that?

A lot of that privately purchased armor hasn't been through the testing process yet. DragonSkin hasn't. DOD has requested 30 sets for independent testing. The company says they can't provide it until May - who's causing the delay? And yet they have armor to sell to troops? Just because a company says, "Ours is better!" don't make it so.

One of the defining characteristics of an army is uniformity. I am neither surprised by the newest order nor am I opposed to it. The military ain't a democracy.