BAE Systems Displays Ultra Lightweight Warrior (ULW) Infantry *…*
August 7, 2010 – The development and deployment of light and effective body armor is to be applauded. Nevertheless, considering the US Army’s and DoD’s shoddy test procedures and questionable contract awards as documented in GAO studies, we are hopeful that all new military protective gear is properly tested and its suppliers vetted.
A Sergeant’s Suicide Brings The Battle Home
August 7, 2010 – A recurring tragedy that ravishes the families of the brave heroes who serve in harm’s way. With recent release of the US Army report on Suicide Prevention, we are hopeful that our frontline troops get the medical and psychiatric attention they deserve to deal with this serious problem.
Forced *U.S.* military extensions to end
August 7, 2010 – This is welcome news indeed, give the level of stress and uncertainty that this placing on the young men and women serving in harm’s way.
*US* Troops Can’t Access WikiLeaks Website, ‘The Washington Times’ Reports
August 7, 2010 – Surely you must be kidding me? Lots of jokes come to mind – like the mushroom in the basement – but obviously quite a few Pentagon staffers were out doing their inane version of damage control. Doesn’t it seem fair that our troops deserve the same level of intelligence that our enenmies have or do we feel compelled to provide them with a sanitized version?
*Afghanistan war*: Will the new Petraeus rules of engagement make troops safer?
August 7, 2010 – While there is no question that safeguarding the lives and safety of non-combatant civilians is a critical component of any military operation, it places a huge strain on on US forces policing what has now become a civil or tribal war in Afghanistan. When you insert a clause that permit US troops to respond aggressively in self-defense, you are advocating a military doctrine that is open to interpretation and pretty much useless.
Google Alerts – body armor – Former *Body*-*Armor* Executive on Trial for Fraud – Blogrunner
July 27, 2010 – This long trial is finally drawing to a close. It is sad to think that body armor used by the majority of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq have been supplied by a company run by Mr. Brooks. Point Blank Armor is now in Chapter 11. Can’t we do better for our troops?
Google Alerts – military helmets – Better armor, *helmets* expected soon | *Military* Daily News
June 14, 2010 – Certainly, improved body armor and helmets for Marines serving in harm’s way is to be applauded. Unfortunately, inadequate testing procedures cited in DoDIG and GAO reports and irregular contract awards call into question the integrity of our military procurement process. Who is say it will be better this time around.
Ever since its inception, Soldiers for the Truth (“SFTT”) has been focused on insuring that our frontline troops have the best possible equipment to accomplish their mission and come home alive safely and in one piece. Our campaigns have been based on providing our troops with the “Best Equipment to Support the Troops,” often referred to as our “B.E.S.T.” Campaign strategy. While much of our recent investigative reporting has been focused on body armor, SFTT will soon be extending its investigative reporting to cover the BASIC FIVE combat equipment items necessary to properly equip our brave heroes serving in harm’s way: Body Armor, Helmets, Rifles, Sidearms and Combat Boots.
BODY ARMOR TO WARD OFF LIFE-THREATENING INJURY When it comes to saving lives, the Military’s standard-issue body armor has been independently tested and shown to be significantly inferior to body armor worn by knowledgeable high-ranking officers, top civilian officials, their body guards, contractors in Iraq, Special Forces with discriminatory funds and others with the luxury of choice.
HELMETS
Standard-issue helmets which ignore current human factors engineering and are far from optimally effective in preventing traumatic brain injuries, the Iraq war’s signature injury.
RIFLES THAT AREN’T JAMMERS The CAR-4 standard-issue rifle is a modified version of the M-16, which our troops have complained about since Vietnam. Forty-five years later, impractical maintenance requirements still contribute to all-too-common jamming, a fatal flaw on the battlefield.
MILITARY SIDEARMS THAT SHOOT STRAIGHT The standard-issue 9 millimeter pistol has reliability and trust problems. The bottom line: it has too often failed to stop a determined opponent.
COMBAT BOOTS THAT FIT THE MISSION
The standard-issue combat boot—designed to be all-purpose—is a footwear failure. When America commits to “boots on the ground,” the troops should have mission, climate and terrain-specific gear that can go the distance.
Like our ongoing investigation into body armor, it is clear that our frontline troops have deficient combat equipment and our military leadership has done little – if anything – to properly equip them for their hazardous mission. Over the coming weeks and months we will provide you with some of our preliminary findings and I am convinced that you too will share our outrage at how our troops are presently outfitted for combat.
I still vividly recall David’s and my outrage over Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s cynical and uncaring response to Army Spc. Thomas Wilson plea for better equipment: “You go to war with the Army you have – not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time.” We were outraged for the rest of Hack’s life and I still am!!!!
Paraphrasing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, “Troops go to war with the military leadership they have – not the leadership they deserve!” It is sad to say that almost 6 years later, our military leadership hasn’t yet to take the necessary steps to provide our frontline troops with the equipment they deserve. Shame on you Secretary Rumsfeld and shame on our military leaders who continue to sidestep the safety of our troops.
Whether you are on active duty or retired, a friend or family member we encourage you to share your story. As proud Americans we salute our heroes and thank you for your courage and sacrifice. We want to hear from you and so do our readers.
Stand For The Troops (“SFTT”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Educational Foundation established by the late Col. David H. Hackworth and his wife Eilhys England to insure that our frontline troops have the best available leadership, equipment and training.
In the past four-plus years SFTT'S active campaign has focused on ensuring America's frontline troops get the best available individual protective equipment and combat gear.
Donations and contributions from concerned Americans help fund the SFTT website.
Includes rare footage from Hack's memorial service at Fort Myers Chapel and burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
All donations received from purchasing of The Hackworth Memorial DVD go to Stand For The Troops a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, non-partisan apolitical foundation established by Hack and his wife Eilhys to make sure that America's front-line forces—the kids Hack loved out at the tip of the spear—always have the right training, leadership and equipment to meet their assigned missions and make it home alive and in one piece.
December 23, 2009: The law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP filed the final motion with the Federal Court in Washington, DC in the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) on behalf of the SFTT’s editor for forensic records held by the Department of Defense (“DOD”).
October 16, 2009: The Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) issues report to Congress calling for “independent expert assessment of Army body armor test results.” This damning report of US Army body armor test procedures is the outgrowth of a two-year investigative and educational campaign by SFTT to seek fair and impartial test procedures.
Stand For The Troops (“SFTT”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Educational Foundation established by the late Col. David H. Hackworth and his wife Eilhys England to insure that our frontline troops have the best available leadership, equipment and training.
Includes rare footage from Hack's memorial service at Fort Myers Chapel and burial in Arlington National Cemetery.