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thedrifter
03-03-07, 06:24 PM
Combat survival accredited to body armor

March 03, 2007; Submitted on: 03/03/2007 03:09:33 PM ; Story ID#: 20073315933

By Cpl. Andrew Kalwitz, 2nd Marine Logistics Group


AL TAQADDUM, Iraq (March 03, 2007) -- It isn't suggested that Marines wear personal protective equipment when leaving the protection of forward operating bases. It is required. But why?

"I've seen it save lives," said Lt. Cmdr. Josh W. Vincent, a physician with Charlie Surgical Detachment, 1st Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward).

Vincent shared many of his experiences. In one case, the detachment received a call warning of an incoming patient; a gunnery sergeant who had received a gunshot wound.

"They called and said this guy got shot in the back," the West Jordan, Utah, native explained. "They get him out of the (helicopter) and put him on the gator (a six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle). Then he got off the gator and this guy comes walking in."

After seeing him walk into the surgical detachment, Vincent said he couldn't even believe the Marine had been shot. But what he saw next surprised him most.

"When he turned around, you could see the hole through the material where it hit," he said. "He takes off his clothes and there is this one-inch depression in his back. He wasn't even really aware of what happened until after."

"He would have probably bled to death if it weren't for the (small-arms protective insert)," he added, referring to the plates Marines wear in their vests. "It worked exactly like they tell you it's going to work."

Vincent shared another story of PPE saving lives. This time, a lance corporal was standing in front of his peers when he felt something strike him in the head.

"He thought it was his buddy slapping his helmet," he said. "A round went right into the side of the helmet. If this would've gone into the head, he was dead."

With his experiences in mind, Vincent expressed great concern for the safety of deployed Marines and addressed any that may not be wearing their PPE properly or at all.

"Please do it," he said. "Please wear your stuff. Take it from somebody who sees it. You're taking unnecessary risks with your life. You're basically playing 'Russian Roulette.'"

Sergeant Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, the sergeant major for II Marine Expeditionary Force-West, shared a few of his many experiences as well.

"During my last tour, my regiment had approximately 696 wounded Marines and sailors," he said. "96 percent of them returned to duty... it shows that the gear and equipment we are issued is the best on the market."

The New Orleans native continued to elaborate on the importance of PPE, claiming that "wearing PPE keeps servicemembers alive" and explaining the consequences of not wearing PPE in an aspect beyond obvious health risks.

"The wearing of PPE is an order," he said. "A commander has the latitude to reprimand any servicemember who is in violation of an order. Reprimand may come in the form of a verbal counseling to a court-martial."

Battaglia explained that there are five required pieces of gear: flak jacket with throat and groin protector, helmet, fire-resistant gloves, ballistic eye protection and front, back and side SAPI plates.

Sgt. Canon B. Richard, a squad leader with Military Police Company, CLR-15, 1st MLG (Fwd), said he feels there is no such thing as being too sure his Marines are wearing proper gear during convoy operations.

"Our Marines always have their PPE," he said. "Our vehicle commanders always ensure Marines wear it. We double and triple check them."

Richard explained why his command takes as much caution as they do when it comes to wearing their gear.

"If they don't wear it, they are taking a serious chance of getting hurt. Any type of object could strike them," the Kinder, La., native said.

Sergeant Maj. Battaglia summed it up by putting it into terms almost everyone can understand.

"Bottom line is PPE saves lives," he said. "Is it heavy? Yes. Is it uncomfortable? Yes. But as I've learned long ago as a young infantryman, 'I'd rather be uncomfortably alive then comfortably dead.'"

Ellie