OK you resourceful support junkies, who can give us a resource and explain what to buy for the plate carrier requests for body armour?  Maybe a soldier can point us in the right direction.

We are sooooooo in tune

I just e-m'd one of my guys not five minutes ago to ask him that very question!!  For 2LT Joshua Rodriguez -- right?

I'll let you know as soon as find anything out!

--Marilyn

Hi Marilyn, Yes he is one, but I have seen other requests recently also.   Most are in Afghanistan and I'd want the body armour too!  You'd think they would have them, but we junkies will do the best we can.  Usually George has a clue...

Hi -- I did hear back from one of my sources -- here's a website with gear & info --

http://www.rstacticalgear.com/cat_plate.cfm

still waiting to hear back from a couple more -- I'll share what I find out

--Marilyn

Did he specify which ones are acceptable?  I think I read somewhere that some of the newer ones are hard to get in and out of.

Oh it's saddens me to think we have guys out there who need these! 

Has anyone written 2LT Rodriguez about these yet?

From my contact in the 173 (emphasis is mine): "Yes, I use Eagle Industries plate carriers. I think they are the best out there and fairly comfortable. I would love to wear mine, yet they are not authorized to wear out here. It is just a matter of time though."

...so apprently the men weren't issued these because they are just now allowed to start wearing them instead of the heavier standard body armor? IMHO, reducing the amount of weight the men are carrying is very important in that terrain.

Eagle makes both a MOLLE plate carrier with cumberbund (to hold everything stable) and a "Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System," the later of which is rather dear. Just one of the CIRAS costs as much as three of the MOLLE.

These are generally special order items, especially if needed in ACU (not all suppliers carry the ACU). They also come in different sizes. Because of the cost, we really can't afford to make mistakes on these.  We need to be absolutely certain we are sending the right thing.

 

I have to tell you, that when I first saw this thread, my mind immediately thought of those little bamboo/wicker things you use to hold paper plates at a BBQ/picknic and I though, "Cool idea.  Bet it would help "the guys" carry their meals, so I'll have to check Dollar Tree or such since it is the right time of year...  See how a true junkie thinks....?   Particularly one who is "military challenged".   Boy!  Am I learning a lot!  Wish I could afford to send all our troops the real thing.  Thanks for the education.

empressfrancis:

 

I have to tell you, that when I first saw this thread, my mind immediately thought of those little bamboo/wicker things you use to hold paper plates at a BBQ/picknic and I though, "Cool idea.  Bet it would help "the guys" carry their meals, so I'll have to check Dollar Tree or such since it is the right time of year...  See how a true junkie thinks....?   Particularly one who is "military challenged".   Boy!  Am I learning a lot!  Wish I could afford to send all our troops the real thing.  Thanks for the education.

Omg, Debbie, we have one brain! (and it ain't workin so hot...) lol!

Kristen,

I love you to bits.  Wish we were closer.  Thank God for this, huh?

 Debbie

allright girls--we're gonna have to "third" the brain--that's EXACTLY what I thought at first too!!!  LOL!!!

As noted in the Korengal Valley thread, 2LT Joshua Rodriguez has posted an update today with a link to the plate carriers. SGT Mathew Crane who also requested them has not yet updated. 

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.  As of now, they don't even have Guardian Bells there yet (but one is in transit).

I ordered 2 of these in Coyote Tan this morning, using the link provided in 2LT Rodriguez's posting.  The website is www.uscav.com and they ship directly to APOs/FPOs.

I wrote and mailed a letter to the 2LT to ask if they had to be ACUPAT (ACU pattern, like the uniforms,,,a sort of digital print camouflage).  At the time I placed the order, they were out of stock on the ACUPAT ones.  These also come in 2 sizes - Regular and Husky (bigger chest size).  They were out of  Husky too but according to their site, they are expecting more of the out of stock items to be delivered August 1.  I asked 2LT Rodriguez to update with specifics in his next posting, like sizes need, color needed, how many total needed, so everyone can see the info.  I don't know that the color is that important, if they are going to end up belly-crawling in these, they will all end up dirty brown anyway!

Ladies & gents, these are not cheap.  The regular size is $125.95 each, the Husky size is $145.95 each.  If some of you want to contibute what you can, I would be happy to be the go-to person and place orders as we get enough to buy one or more.  PM or e-mail me if interested.

(And no, I don't normally spend this much on one contact at one time but if this will save an American life, it is worth every single penny and then some!!!)

Lilly -- I just posted over on the Korengal Valley 2008 thread http://forum.anysoldier.com/forums/p/6640/40478.aspx#40478-- there's a discussion about this very topic for LT Rodriguez there, too.  Just want to be sure we're all coordinated and not working at cross-purposes, you know?

Thanks! 

--Marilyn