thedrifter
01-13-06, 06:46 AM
Marine Corps committed
By William D. Catto
USA
The Marine Corps continues its commitment to provide the best possible body armor solution to our Marines while adapting to an ever-evolving enemy threat. There is simply no way of anti-cipating all enemy tactics and preparing for every eventuality. (Related: Our view)
The Marine Corps commissioned a report in December 2004 by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology that outlines areas of vulnerability resulting in Marine fatalities during the war. We requested the data from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and collected information from individual Marines and operational commanders to identify areas for armor enhancements.
The challenge of body armor design is to balance the desired payoff in additional safety against the loss of combat effectiveness due to mobility challenges, potential heat exhaustion and fatigue caused by too much weight. Nothing in this report, however, addresses the large number of lives saved by the body armor our Marines wear today, and that number is significant.
At the start of the war in March 2003, the Marine Corps ensured that our infantry Marines who went into harm's way had the latest body armor. This commitment to individual protection has continued through the next Marine rotations to Iraq, including improvements to Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI), extremity body armor, new helmets, ballistic goggles, etc. Since March 2004, 100% of Marines have this equipment.
As threats have increased, we have provided enhancements to our body armor system, such as the side SAPI. Once the decision was made to field side SAPI protection, we provided interim-solution side SAPI plates to our Reconnaissance Marines within 30 days (July 2005); fielded a production model in three months (September 2005); and will have completed side SAPI fielding (of 28,800 sets) in April 2006. We now have more than 9,200 sets of side SAPIs delivered into theater.
The Marine Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence in war-fighting acquisition and sustainment. The lives of America's Marines depend on it.
Maj. Gen William D. Catto is commanding general of the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va.
Ellie
By William D. Catto
USA
The Marine Corps continues its commitment to provide the best possible body armor solution to our Marines while adapting to an ever-evolving enemy threat. There is simply no way of anti-cipating all enemy tactics and preparing for every eventuality. (Related: Our view)
The Marine Corps commissioned a report in December 2004 by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology that outlines areas of vulnerability resulting in Marine fatalities during the war. We requested the data from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and collected information from individual Marines and operational commanders to identify areas for armor enhancements.
The challenge of body armor design is to balance the desired payoff in additional safety against the loss of combat effectiveness due to mobility challenges, potential heat exhaustion and fatigue caused by too much weight. Nothing in this report, however, addresses the large number of lives saved by the body armor our Marines wear today, and that number is significant.
At the start of the war in March 2003, the Marine Corps ensured that our infantry Marines who went into harm's way had the latest body armor. This commitment to individual protection has continued through the next Marine rotations to Iraq, including improvements to Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI), extremity body armor, new helmets, ballistic goggles, etc. Since March 2004, 100% of Marines have this equipment.
As threats have increased, we have provided enhancements to our body armor system, such as the side SAPI. Once the decision was made to field side SAPI protection, we provided interim-solution side SAPI plates to our Reconnaissance Marines within 30 days (July 2005); fielded a production model in three months (September 2005); and will have completed side SAPI fielding (of 28,800 sets) in April 2006. We now have more than 9,200 sets of side SAPIs delivered into theater.
The Marine Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence in war-fighting acquisition and sustainment. The lives of America's Marines depend on it.
Maj. Gen William D. Catto is commanding general of the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va.
Ellie