U.S. troops forced to buy their own gear for safety

bush

(Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:57:58 -0500) --- One reason, critics say, is that military procurement, especially of
life-saving equipment, is still too slow.

Quietly, however, the Pentagon – with the Army leading the charge –
has begun bypassing rigid procurement rules, loosening uniformity
requirements, and even spearheading technical innovations in gear,
ranging from flame-retardant shirts to low-infrared signature zippers.

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Since 9/11, the market for tactical war gear has expanded from nearly
nonexistent to nearly $150 million in sales each year, which includes
sales directly to soldiers as well as to the Pentagon, according to
industry sources.

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To some critics, the sight of soldiers buying their own battle gear
symbolizes a divide between frontline grunts and rear echelon
procurement officers who may never have seen battle.

Rep. Gene Taylor (D) of Mississippi told the House Armed Services
Committee last week that supplies such as body armor and uparmored
Humvees "[have] taken entirely too long" to get to frontline troops.

In some cases, charity groups have stepped in to help.

Operation Helmet, founded by Bob Meaders of Montgomery, Texas, shipped
special helmet liners to soldiers to replace what many soldiers said
were poorly designed helmet pads issued by the Army and the Marines.

Just as Operation Helmet thought its work was done late last year,
more requests came in from troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Army is planning a $20 billion future combat system, and they
can't provide boots that don't wear out," says Roger Charles, editor
of DefenseWatch, an investigative website that advocates on behalf of
frontline soldiers.

"There's no priority for taking care of relatively mundane items where
most people would think, 'Gosh, that's so simple. Why don't they have
the best boots, the best uniforms, the best helmets, and the best flak
jackets?' "

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Moreover, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service reports that sales
of tactical gear to units have climbed from $60 million in 2005 to $90
million in 2007.

From The Christian Science Monitor, 3/6/08:

www.csmonitor.com

Since 9/11, the market for tactical war gear has grown to $150 million
annually.

By Patrik Jonsson | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

FORT BENNING, Ga. -

Commando Military Supply on Victory Drive here is about as different
from a musty Army surplus store as you can imagine.

More REI than M.A.S.H., Commando is regularly jam-packed with
deploying grunts and sergeants, poking around for custom gear
including $200 flashlights, $150 Oakley protective sunglasses, $180
Thinsulate boots, and $20 thermal socks.

"When you're comfortable and you know where all your gear is, it makes
you a better fighter," says Lt. Tucker Knie, an Army Ranger perusing
custom ammo pouches and techno-fiber socks.

"You don't want to be rummaging around in your pocket during a
firefight."

__________________________________________________

Harry

Harry Hope (rivrvu@ix.netcom.com).

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