The
Army today announced a ban on privately purchased body armor, stating that "they have not passed the rigor that we put into standards determining whether something is safe, effective and suitable." Soldiers continuing to wear unapproved armor may be disciplined.
But are they telling the truth? According to the Soldiers for the Truth website, the makers of Dragon Skin armor (lighter, flexible armor that is popular among soldiers who buy their own) have made statements that a project scientist working for the makers of the Army-sanctioned body armor, Natick Soldier Systems Center, said "The SOV Dragon Skin system will never be fielded unless the technology and intellectual property are turned over to Natick Soldier Systems Center." And despite the Army's claim that Dragon Skin is inferior, they will only consent to side-by-side tests in a civilian test lab? Moreover, many Marines are already said to eschew the heavy plated armor issued by the DoD.
I don't know much about body armor, but something here just doesn't pass the smell test.