Welcome to the Dora High School Alumni Web CommunityKeeping the Alumni in Touch
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| Letters From Iraq ~ A Soldier's Combat
Uniform By Tate Shaneyfelt  The
American soldier's combat uniform is one that constantly changes.
In no two conflicts is this combat dress the same. As technology progresses
so does the uniform. The current battle dress is unlike anything the
world has ever seen.A new helmet was issued a few weeks before my
unit deployed. The new "k-pot" is made from similar composites
of the former. Its differences lie in its toughness, comfort, and
weight. This helmet can withstand a 9mm round fired at point  blank
range. Unlike its predecessors it requires no helmet liner. This liner
has been replaced by velcro pads that attach to the inner shell. No
liner means less weight. Yet the best modification (in my opinion)
is the design of the kevlar shell itself. The previous k-pot had a
small brim above the eyes. When lying in the prone firing position
(on your stomach and elbows) the flak-vest rides forward against the
rear base of the helmet pushing this visor forward. Directly in a
soldiers line of sight. Thankfully, this brim has been removed making
for a much better target picture.Ballistic eyewear is also issued to each soldier. Just like our weapon, we are required to wear these glasses at all times. Interchangable lenses are provided. Dark, sunglass type for the day, and clear for night use. The pair issued to me are Oakley's. At home during my mid-tour leave my brother-in-law noticed me wearing them and asked "my taxes bought Oakley's?" To which I replied with the question "how much do you think my eyes are worth?" The IED's we face send thousands of tiny projectiles in every direction. These glasses are designed to stop them. The IBAS (interceptive body armor system) or flak vest is a vital part of the modern American combat soldier. Made from flexible kevlar it is said the armor cannot be punctured with a knife or 9mm bullets. Placed inside are plates capable of stopping armor-piercing rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle. The outside cover of this vest has dozens of loops that allow equipment such as ammo, knives, flashlights, and medical kits to be worn. Recently kevlar shoulder flaps, inner side flaps, and a groin flap ("d--k flap" in army terms) were added. My vest is relatively empty compared to most soldiers. I wear a knife and one M16 magazine. I mentioned in a previous letter that I am a M249 Saw gunner. The weapon fires belted ammunition as well as magazine ammo. Due to the size of my ammo drums I am not required to wear them on patrol in the trucks. There simply is not enough room in the gun-turret for them to be worn on my IBAS. Instead I keep my 1600 rounds in the turret with me. The M16 magazine is a back-up for a secondary personal weapon that is also in the turret with me. You see, my machine gun cannot be locked and loaded until a hostile act is witnessed. Personal weapons are locked, loaded, and safed as soon as we leave the base. Therefore I keep one close. Just in case I don't have time to load my 249. These are only a few of our combat components. Vest decorum varies just like the soldiers they protect, but they are all heavy and uncomfortable. Some weigh more than 90 lbs. Yet this discomfort slips away as soon as we leave the gates. Once outside we get so focused on the external that everything internal is ignored. Temperature, pain, even time just do not exist. Heightened awareness I guess. "The jazz". Shaneyfelt,Tate SPC |