Reply #135: I agree with BrentWill

[xdeathstarx]

Soldiers do not come into theater without Body Armor.

You DO NOT go outside the wire without Body Armor. Period.

As far as soldiers buying their own, I know of some that wanted to buy their own because of comfort issues and looking more "high speed". But the fact is, no matter how well the armor, NOTHING is going to stop a direct hit by what we encounter here (RPG'S, IED's, etc). I have personally seen the IBA we are issued work againt multiple 7.62 rounds. I had a VBIED (carbomb) blow 12 feet in front of me...I left with minor injuries to unprotected areas (my face, arms).

I wont say people who say that they were not issued armor are liars. But I find it VERY unlikely. Just because I have been in Iraq for 11 months, and have NEVER seen or heard of anyone not being issued the correct armor. Maybe it's true, and if it is, it's a unit supply fault. They are directly to blame.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

ps, if you really wanna doubt my credibility, please pm or email me. I ZERO politcal agenda. I report the facts, period.