The extra body armor the Pentagon is issuing Soldiers and Marines in Iraq will not be a welcome addition for everyone.
While some say they won't go into battle without the protective side plates, others say they don't want to add any more weight to their gear, which can easily top 70 pounds.
Staff Sgt. Joshua Winchester, a 30-year-old Pepsi truck driver from Jesup, predicts the extra weight would become a hassle for him in his already cramped Humvee. The Georgia National Guard Soldier doesn't plan to wear the plates, citing the intense heat Soldiers face in Iraq.
"You think about how much of a pain in the neck your maneuvering will be. You will feel like a robot. You will feel like R2D2 in a turret. Forget that junk," said Winchester, a member of the Savannah-based 118th Field Artillery Regiment Task Force stationed at Al Asad Air Base.
It would be interesting to see a break down of the numbers of those who choose to or not to wear the new side plates. I can understand the problem - mobility or extra protection - a very hard call to make in deed. The article says they are always on the lookout for stronger and lighter body armor and frankly, I'm a little surprised we haven't found something. Hopefully we will and sooner rather than later.
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