Despite U.S. promise, soldiers in Iraq still buying their own body armor

[OneBlueSky]

while mercenaries are making up to a grand a day . . . what's wrong with this picture? . . . don't know about you, but I find it thorougly disgusting . . .

Soldiers headed for Iraq are still buying their own body armor -- and in many cases, their families are buying it for them -- despite assurances from the military that the gear will be in hand before they're in harm's way.

Jefferson City News Tribune Online
April 4, 2004

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2004/04/04/features/0404040051.txt

Body armor distributors have received steady inquiries from soldiers and families about purchasing the gear, which can cost several thousand dollars. Though the military has advised them not to rely on third-party suppliers, many soldiers say they want it before they deploy.

Last October, it was reported that nearly one-quarter of American troops serving in Iraq did not have ceramic plated body armor, which can stop bullets fired from assault rifles and shrapnel.

The military says the shortfall is over and soldiers who do not yet have the armor soon will. But many want to avoid the risk.

"What we hear from soldiers is that they are told that they are going to get body armor just before they leave or just after they get there. But they don't want to take a chance," said Nick Taylor, owner of Bulletproofme.com, an online distributor of body armor in Austin, Texas.

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http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2004/04/04/features/0404040051.txt