Body Armor

[jollyg83]

I was just wondering why I almost never see US soldies, especially Rangers and the SOCOM type wearing body armor in jungle/wooded environments? I would guess that it's due to the heat/humidity, but I'm pretty sure it's very hot in the sandbox too. Any ideas?

[ISMilREP]

Are you referring just to USSOCOM? if so, it may be because of their special ops status- they're too high-speed to need body armor, or, the current mission they're on does not require body armor. Because body armor is heavy, and its a pain to lug around in the mountains or whatever. as for regular infantry, they wear armor in woodland environments on combat operations and patrols, unless of course they are in the rear or in some garrison barracks. :)

[Violence Of Action]

the real reason is that SOF personell catch all incoming bullets with their teeth, and so they come back to the world with fashionable brass fronts

[Death.]

They're not brass. Platinum.

[crazyman]

yknow we talked about this at work once...in a conventional fight, doin the whole ruck march to an ORP kinda thing, how much would we wear body armor? figured if we were doing anything that required a ruck march through the woods, body armor would prolly get ditched. wouldnt be of much good if we were doin the conventional get ****e and shoot thing anyways. Tis one heck of a question though, where would we draw the line between protection vs. speed/weight?

[ogukuo72]

A highly mobilised army like the US's can afford to wear armor in most situation, but it would not make sense to lug 12-15lbs of close-fitting ceramics on navigation through the jungle.

[ibstolidude]

I was just wondering why I almost never see US soldies, especially Rangers and the SOCOM type wearing body armor in jungle/wooded environments? I would guess that it's due to the heat/humidity, but I'm pretty sure it's very hot in the sandbox too. Any ideas?

'cause they are wood-pecker lips hard...

Seriously, how often do you you see "Rangers and the SOCOM type" in the the jungle/wooded environments?

[dacanadianbomb]

And isnt there the slight chance that if they are running around in the jungle, they are on training ?
The larger area of operations of the US forces are not exactly Junglish at the moment.

[TacoDelRio]

the real reason is that SOF personell catch all incoming bullets with their teeth, and so they come back to the world with fashionable brass fronts

"LET ME SEE YOUR GRILL!"

[ABNINF]

A highly mobilised army like the US's can afford to wear armor in most situation, but it would not make sense to lug 12-15lbs of close-fitting ceramics on navigation through the jungle.

Hell, I wish my IBA only weighed 12-15 pounds. With all my gear on it it weighs close to 40.

[TallGuy]

Special Forces do wear body armor in jungle environments, here are some pics from the Philippines:

http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Special_Forces-Philippines/a_sfp34.jpg
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Special_Forces-Philippines/a_sfp40.jpg
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Special_Forces-Philippines/sf51.jpg
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Special_Forces-Philippines/sf38.jpg

More here: http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/Special_Forces-Philippines?page=1

[ogukuo72]

Hell, I wish my IBA only weighed 12-15 pounds. With all my gear on it it weighs close to 40.

WOW! 8-o

How many contact rate of ammo do you guys usually carry?

[jollyg83]

Cool thanks guys. While I'm on the topic of body armor, does anyone have any pics of the CIRAS vest in action?

[ABNINF]

Like I said in another post, I carry enough to feel comfortable.