clavus

A family member just deployed to Iraq. He is in the Air Force. He got to the Green Zone just in time for the suicide bombings. His wife is worried sick because he has not been issued any body armor. To hear her tell it, the reason is that his “boss” will not authorize the expense. I’m sure it is more complicated than that, and frankly his job involves a computer, not a machinegun.

But the fact of the matter is that everybody would feel a lot better if this guy had a vest. So here is my question.

Assuming this is a matter of dollars and cents, how much does body armor cost, where does one buy it, and how would I go about getting it to Iraq? Any advice would be appreciated.

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cj2112

i'd check out http://www.bulletproofme.com/ they have a wide selection, and list a phone number where you would be able to consult w/ somebody in order to make sure your needs are met. I've never used them but it's worth a shot.

StephenSa

I've seen all sorts of body armor at Military Surplus stores here in Texas. The prices vary but its not cheap. Assuming you get something you could probably mail it. I should think his wife would know how to mail letters, gifts, that sort of thing. I seem to remember a group here in Texas that sent body armor or something of that ilk to servicemen in Iraq so I know it can be done. You'd need to know his unit, where stationed that sort of thing for sure. The military tries to make sure mail gets through to keep up morale. With a large package it might get searched or something but I think it would get through. Maybe put a note with it saying "Here's something to help you stay safe, your loving family" so any yahoo thinking of taking it for themself might reconsider. You also might check to see if there is an approved items list of things you can send or let his immediate superior know you are sending it. I'm not in the military so I'm just throwing out ideas. Sounds like a good thing you are doing, good luck.

Church

I highly doubt it will be an easy task to get the body armor mailed to him. Once the mail gets there, it is no longer is USPS's hands, so you cannot guarantee the package will ever get there. I wouldn't be surprised if it is stolen for someone else. Even if you could mail it there, the shipping costs alone would be insane considering how heavy a full body suit would be.

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filtherton

Vote for kerry?

Arroe

Vote for Kerry, that's funny.

Being that Kerry voted for the war in Iraq but DIDN'T vote for the money that would go towards this very thing, body armor...

Kerry is just going to cut costs for the soldiers. It's the democrats fault your cousin doesn't have the protection he deserves.

tropple

It is a really nice thought, but I wondering if you could manage to get him anything that would make enough of difference to make the weight penalty worth the expense.

The body armor you see on a policeman is much different from that worn by a someone in a combat zone. The type of body armor that you can buy is limited. Mostly it's good though pistol calibers and with the addition of a shock plate, medium-range rifle fire (ball ammo, not AP). Military armor is designed to withstand severe conditions and a higher threat than the civilian counterpart, which loses effectiveness when subjected to repeated cycles of sweat and drying.

Also, civilian versions don't do much in the way of stopping blast fragments.

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timalkin

To be honest, your family member is probably in the safest area in the whole country, especially if he is in the Air Force. It's called the "Chair Force" for a reason. I bet he wasn't issued a weapon either. That's because he really doesn't need one to accomplish his assigned mission. It's not like he'd be wearing it when he's working at a computer either. It'd just be another heavy ass piece of gear to lug around and keep track of. If everybody at home would feel better by him having a vest, then by all means.

I think you'd be better off spending that money on cards and letters and international phone cards. Just my humble opinion.

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Neo: "Guns. Lots of guns."

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drawerfixer

haaaaaaaaa.....

My idealism just died.


factcheck.org article

clavus

Thank you, to everybody who gave me constructive feedback and didn't try to turn this thread into a goddamn inane Bush/Kerry masturbation-fest.

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maleficent

last weekend I sent of a bunch of "care" packages to several people in units in Iraq and Afghanistan - The shipping costs were no more than what I'd spend shipping something to Arkansas. I did have to fill out a piece of paper - kind of like a customs declaration, to say what was in the package.

The only thing the miliary says not to do is send things Priority Mail because while it's only a few cents more to send, they absolutely will not guarentee that it gets there quicker. ( I have been told and seen elsewhere that boxes send should be shoebox size)

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Jonsgirl

Smaller sized boxes get to people faster, so I would probably (depending also on the type of armor you get) send it in it's respective peices. And it all goes through New York or some other big port city customs, and that's the last time that the USPS touches it, so as mentioned, sending it Priority doesn't do a lot of good. Insure it and pray. We can recieve insured packages with no problem, and that way if someone does steal it, you're not out for all your money. And be patient, it can take up a month for a package to make it's little journey over here, hehe.

I would HIGHLY reccomend something with a crotch protector- trust me, the worst thing I've seen over here is people who bit it right below where the flack vest stopped.

Good luck.

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Boo

After 20+ years of AF life, I assure you that he has the equipment that he needs based on the position that he is in. His supervisor is probably a young person that got promoted fast due to the huge reduction in force that happened in the 90's (guess who's watch) and does not have the maturity to get his people a real answer. I assure you that it is not a matter of expense. More likely a matter of need. Wait until he gets a letter/call home and get a clarification of his current position. Make sure people don't make more of it than it is. IF he is in a position that needs personal gear, CALL HIS SQUADRON and request to speak with the acting commander with your concerns. If his commander does not give you a reasonable answer, CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN.

If he doesn't have a gun (most likely he does not), then he is in a protected area. Most of my friends are in a small tent city and work and sleep all within 50 yards. Sending him gear would not be seen well by his supervisor or peers. He probably has a flak vest, canteen,, MOPP gear (chem suit) and helmet anyway.

Send him cookies. Whatever you do, don't get a Listerine bottle, slide the plastic safety seal off with out breaking it and fill it with light/dark rum and replace the seal. Its been done.

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Cableguy

And despite what the people say, the vast majority of the people in the AF are the hardest working people on the planet. As a crew chief (Helicopters)(Screw that fixed wing crap) I can tell you that he has what he needs, and if he dosen't he should raise some hell. He should keep raising hell until he gets it. The goverment can be a little slow to catch up some time.