Totally random questions about Marines Body Armor

[Draco771]

1. Are Motor T. Marines (those who operate vehicles, and perform BDAR) allowed to alter their Body Armor to make it "lighter"? (i.e. replace Sappi plates with square blocks of Styrofoam, and/or cut open the back seems to remove Kevlar from the rear portion of the vest, and switch it out with thick cardboard/Styrofoam)?

2. Are the trucks like the HEMT-T, and other vehicles like it difficult to move/out of?

3. Are Marines allowed to alter their equipment in any way to allow it to be "lighter"?

4. Can Marines make personal choices between speed and mobility, vs Physical protection and encumbrance?

Hypothetically speaking, what would happen to a Marine who did any of the above? Could said Marine do so with authorization of his Chain of Command?

[Komenko]

1. Are Motor T. Marines (those who operate vehicles, and perform BDAR) allowed to alter their Body Armor to make it "lighter"? (i.e. replace Sappi plates with square blocks of Styrofoam, and/or cut open the back seems to remove Kevlar from the rear portion of the vest, and switch it out with thick cardboard/Styrofoam)?

2. Are the trucks like the HEMT-T, and other vehicles like it difficult to move/out of?

3. Are Marines allowed to alter their equipment in any way to allow it to be "lighter"?

4. Can Marines make personal choices between speed and mobility, vs Physical protection and encumbrance?

Hypothetically speaking, what would happen to a Marine who did any of the above? Could said Marine do so with authorization of his Chain of Command?

Just going to say this as lightly as i can, If a Marine wants to remove their Sappi plates while in a combat zone is asking to die. also questions 1 and 3 are the same question! if you want to dump the bolt of your rifle to make it lighter be my guest, just don't expect me to drag you ass back to a medic if you get shot! also depending on how burn happy the command is, i can see SNM either getting a counseling or company level NJP!

[Draco771]

Just going to say this as lightly as i can, If a Marine wants to remove their Sappi plates while in a combat zone is asking to die. also questions 1 and 3 are the same question! if you want to dump the bolt of your rifle to make it lighter be my guest, just don't expect me to drag you ass back to a medic if you get shot! also depending on how burn happy the command is, i can see SNM either getting a counseling or company level NJP!

Just thought I'd ask.

Not saying any of the above would be me, just heard some scuttlebutt and was curious if it's actually allowed.

[crazymjb]

If your motor-t why would you want to drop that crap anyway, your just gonna be cruising around? On a more serious note, you will be lighter and more agile if your going to be one of those cool SOCOM Motor-T guys, in which case you actually go shirtless and use your sword (you actually rate a sword right out of school cause all SOCOM motor-T guys are automatically commissioned), while strapped to the hood of a 7-ton.

Mike

[Draco771]

If your motor-t why would you want to drop that crap anyway, your just gonna be cruising around? On a more serious note, you will be lighter and more agile if your going to be one of those cool SOCOM Motor-T guys, in which case you actually go shirtless and use your sword (you actually rate a sword right out of school cause all SOCOM motor-T guys are automatically commissioned), while strapped to the hood of a 7-ton.

Mike

Marine, you just made me spit my coffee all over my bed...

You're kidding right?

[Komenko]

Marine, you just made me spit my coffee all over my bed...

You're kidding right?

LMAO yes he is kidding! :bunny:

[Draco771]

LMAO yes he is kidding! :bunny:
The thought of a Soldier/Marine on the front of a HEMT-T, shirtless with a sword, reminded me of the picture of the Somali Pirates holding the white guy hostage, with one of them aiming an RPG at point blank.

I thought of that immediately after he said that.

That's like the Iraqi Republican Guard Charging Delta Company after they crossed the Euphrates in motor cycles.

I'm rolling right now.

[josephd]

1. Are Motor T. Marines (those who operate vehicles, and perform BDAR) allowed to alter their Body Armor to make it "lighter"? (i.e. replace Sappi plates with square blocks of Styrofoam, and/or cut open the back seems to remove Kevlar from the rear portion of the vest, and switch it out with thick cardboard/Styrofoam)?

2. Are the trucks like the HEMT-T, and other vehicles like it difficult to move/out of?

3. Are Marines allowed to alter their equipment in any way to allow it to be "lighter"?

4. Can Marines make personal choices between speed and mobility, vs Physical protection and encumbrance?

Hypothetically speaking, what would happen to a Marine who did any of the above? Could said Marine do so with authorization of his Chain of Command?

Simply put....NO to all of the above

[crazymjb]

Sorry dude, its just that a Motor-T Operator, and an "Operator" aren't exactly the same thing.

Mike

[Sgt Leprechaun]

If you want to be a suicide bomber, you are in the wrong line of work.

If you tear up or 'modify' your issued gear, I assure you you'll be paying for it. Or, rather, your next of kin will.

I wear a BP vest, and have done so dang near every day since 1988. Just deal with it.

Because your momma and loved ones aren't going to be too happy if you get torn up or worse, DEAD, and they get the letter "Dear Mr & Mrs Draco, the Defense Department regrets to inform you your son died because he was stupid".

If you were in my platoon and I caught you doing that crap, you'd learn how much fun it is to dig a complete anti-tank ditch.....then fill it in. While wearing all that stuff.

Get the picture?

[Draco771]

Sorry dude, its just that a Motor-T Operator, and an "Operator" aren't exactly the same thing.

Mike

I understand Marine, it's totally cool.

I know Motor-T Operators are the truck drivers. which is why I had asked specifically.

due to a umm.... Hypothetical situation a Marine may have been recommended to do.

I got the answers I was looking for, and I sincerely appreciate the information.

And thank you Marine's. It's appreciated.

And Yes Sergeant.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

And you may advise that Marine whose doing this that he is an idiot.

The Leprechaun sends....

Don't YOU frakkin do it.

[Draco771]

Yes Sergeant.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

And it's NOT because I'm ate the frak up, either. I don't want to see people get hurt/killed. It's not being 'risk averse' it's having some sense.

FYI, I routinely punch my LEO's in the chest or back to ensure they are wearing their vests. HARD.

[brian0351]

I can only imagine that they would do this for any pog humps they have to do. It's not different than those times you have the salty Lance Corporals packing a pillow instead of the required gear list. But you would never do this if you were in a combat zone. You never know when IDF or a sniper is going to take a shot at you.

[Draco771]

Yes Sergeants.

According to scuttlebutt, it's starting to become common practice in Transportation Company's to "lighten" their armor for faster egress from the vehicle during an attack on a convoy. Particlurily the rear plates/mesh, and components of the shoulder portions, and doing away with half a camel back. and one empty canteen out of two. and a couple of other things for miner changes in weight.

As well as for BDAR Operators to get in, hook up the downed vehicle, and GTFO.

But again, it's just scuttlebutt.

[Draco771]

Yes Sergeants.

According to scuttlebutt, it's starting to become common practice in Transportation Company's to "lighten" their armor for faster egress from the vehicle during an attack on a convoy. Particlurily the rear plates/mesh, and components of the shoulder portions, and doing away with half a camel back. and one empty canteen out of two. and a couple of other things for miner changes in weight.

As well as for BDAR Operators to get in, hook up the downed vehicle, and GTFO.

But again, it's just scuttlebutt.

Not if I were ever doing similiar/same jobs I'd ever do the same of course. I like being alive... :bunny:

[Lynn2]

We never modified our body armor.

We just never wore it. Not one time in 13 months.

And it was because of the weight and balkyness of the flak gear that we did not wear it.

And believe me there were plenty of times I wish I had wore some.

[terran1996]

Your gona like those SAPI plates when your vehicle hits an IED and your pin-balling around the cab.

[crazymjb]

Common practice? Sounds like some moto-t guys trying to sound hard:

"Yea dude. Motor-T is basically the most combat oriented job in the Marine Corps. We go out and bait the dirt squirrels out from behind their rocks. Then, we jump out of our vehicles. Completely naked so we can move quickly, actually faster than an AK round. Then, we cut their throats with our bayonets. We save our ammo for the guys 10 miles away or more. Yea, we are pretty much recon if you think about it, except better trained because we can also drive tactical school busses..."

The only people I've ever heard of "going slick" in practice are snipers and people who if they are getting shot at it is probably game over for them at that point anyway. My girlfriends motor-t (and would absolutely crucify me of she saw this) and I've never heard of this. ever. I'll do you one better. I'm infantry in a weapons company where we operate (in theory) exclusively out of vehicles, and I'm definitely NOT shedding any body armor.

If you aren't wearing your body armor and you get fragged your family isn't getting your life insurance.

Finally. If you're motor T, in vehicles, your not going to be doing very many foot patrols. I know I know, every Marine a rifleman, etc etc. Infantry kinda exists for a reason though. Also, unless your messed up, you can get out of vehicle pretty easily with an extra 20 lbs on you. Also if your vehicles disabled and your in an ambush, do you really want to jump out without any body armor? Whoever told you that is either kidding or the biggest idiot I've ever heard of.

Mike

[Zulu 36]

I was Motor-T in Vietnam. I wore my flak and sat on another. Sandbags on the cab floor. That was it for armor.

[thezero]

Wowwwww to the TS. Really why the fvck would you want styrofoam or cardboard in place of sappi's? Common sense would have told you the answers right off.

[Assaultdog0351]

Is this a serious F'ing question? Replace a ceramic bullet stopping plate with styrofoam? Please don't smoke crack before you go around asking questions. What's now issued (at least for us) for deployment is the eagle industrie scalable plate carrier(google it.) If your unit sucks ass you'll get the Eagle Industries Modular Tacticle Vest(MTV) and for training purposes we're getting pushed the Point Blank Intercepter (sometimes the MTV depending on what's in stock.) Along with with your vest you'll get (2) font/back Small arms protective inserts(SAPIs) and before deployment you'll get (2) Side SAPI plates. You may start off with regular SAPI plates but rst assured, before you hit the flight line you will have Enhanced-SAPI plates or E-SAPI. It is up to your command the level Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) you will wear while working. There are many variations including groin protectors, neck protectors and throat protectors.... Not to exclude your eye protection, hand protection and hearing protection. If you're confused goto usmc.mil and type PPE into the search box, you will be givin photos then if you scrol down you will be able to read what the Marine Corps has to say about PPE.

[il duce]

our motor T Marines will typically remove their crotch and neck/throat protection to make entering/exiting a vehicle easier... but the one driver I saw that had removed his sapis was in the process of removing a Major's boot from his arse and was put on 'ground guide' duty for a full week at the Battalion's Command post - it was just over a mile from the front gate to the check-in tent so every vehicle that came in, he escorted, on foot, to the tent, jogged back, and picked up another. Oh, he was in full gear with a rifle. I know that Marine didnt set down the entire time (except to sleep) and I bet he covered well over a hundred miles

you mentioned empty canteens and a half-full camelback... to that 1) do you know what a 'silver bullet' is? If not, ask around. 2) the one Marine in our Platoon that tried to empty his canteens to make a hump easier was shown by a motivated Cpl the value of good hydration practice... imagine the scene from Jarhead where Swafford was chugging water and throwing up all over that table...

Plus I'd really hate (actually, I just might enjoy it) to be the one to explain to your parents that had you not removed your perfectly good body armor, you may have survived that sniper's round to your back instead of rotting in some box




feel free to move your pouches around your flak or even purchase a drop platform to put pouches down on your hip to make movement easier... but why in the hell would you want to remove your SAPIs??

[WXSgt]

Also you said cut the back to remove the kevlar? y in hell would you destroy it? for the interceptor which i currently have its a pouch you can open up and take it out. and if mobility is an issue then it is up to your command as to whether or not you get the plate carriers previously mentioned. my unit gets MTV's when we deploy for the most part with may be one of the companies getting plate carriers as they are "special" lol wont get into it.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I think we have our answer. Thanks to everyone who responded and set this straight.