imported post
Okay, I see some misconceptions probably propagated by the media.
1. All the soldiers have IBA - Individual Ballistic Armor. In fact, the controversy is having to wear it all the damn time, not lacking it. My size XXL IBA with plates front and back, but with no side plates or side plate carrier, groin protector and throat protector both removed, no shoulder guards, weighs 47 pounds. A size 'small' with the same setup is over 35 pounds. It is also highly restrictive of normal movements, bulky as hell when getting in and out of chairs or vehicles, and chafes. Don't get me wrong, when 'splody shit starts to fall out of the sky, we're happy for it. But it is a pain in the ass the rest of the time, and you'd be surprised how easy it is to **** up a knee with a sharp zig or zag, when your reactions don't take into accountthe extra 50 pounds of body armor (not to mention the rest of your gear!) strapped to your torso. On a lightly geared trip, I had to weigh in for a Sherpa ride and that was 330 pounds, only 230-some of which was me.
2. The problem withdriving and weapons is that too many people still have the M16A2 vs the M4. The longer "musket" is a pain getting in and out of vehicles, but this is steadily changing. Most people who are riding in convoys often have the M4, and it's mostly Air Force and Navy troops I see with the musket. Not that there is anything wrong with the M16, it's perfectly serviceable, it's just that our guys spend more time in and out of vehiceles than walking or in trenches/foxholes.
3. It's not just officers with M9's (Berettas).Enlisted have them too. Yes, there is a general perception that the Berettas are shite. A pistol should not rattle when you shake it. However, you don't take a pistol to a gunfight, it's a last-ditch weapon for surprises and unavoidable conflicts. It should be reliable, but it is definitely not a soldier's first line of defense. Most contractors carry Glocks as their side arm and M4's as their main weapon. That is, provided that they are security contractors. Other contractors are not allowed.
4. Magazines are perfectly legal to send to APO. They are also perfectly legal to send home. However, rules here in Baghdad (not laws)prevent people from sending them home. Cleaning kits are often welcome. On my blog (
http://thebastidge.blogspot.com) I have a link to Project Boresnake:
http://projectboresnake.org/
5. Every convoy thatI've seen goout has .50s on the turret of at least acouple HUMMV's
6. Pretty much all the convoy vehicles are up-armored and have been for some time. People do occasionally take unarmoured vehicles along reasonably safe routes, like Route Irish.
7. Most people on convoy duty have several magazines for both their M4 and their M9s. Pretty much a bandolier of them.