Navy bans privately purchased body armor

Above: Leathernecks in Okinawa were the first to recieve a new Modular Tactical Vest in April. It takes about three hours to train Marines to configure, wear and care for the new body armor.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has banned sailors from wearing personally purchased body armor and other protective equipment instead of standard-issue gear.

However, commanders may authorize sailors in their command to use commercially purchased protective gear, “As long as additions do not replace or interfere with the functionality of approved PPE (Personal Protective Equipment),” according to a recent Navywide administrative message.

The Marine Corps issued a similar message in April.

Read the rest at Stars and Stripes

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